12 People Reveal the Most Confusing Christmas Gifts They’ve Received

Christmas gifts can be a challenge — sometimes they’re spot on, while other times they completely fall short, no matter if you're the one giving or receiving. Yet, every now and then, you receive a gift that's so unexpected or remarkable, that it stays with you for years.

• At our Christmas dinner, my mother-in-law handed me a small, flat package with a grin that made my stomach twist. I unwrapped it carefully, revealing a framed photo of her and my husband on his wedding day… to his ex-wife. "Thought it would be a nice addition to the holiday decorations," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. Everyone in the room went quiet, and I struggled to keep my composure. Then my husband burst out laughing, grabbed the frame, and said, "Thanks, Mom! I’ve been looking for this." He opened the back, slid out the photo, and replaced it with a sonogram picture from his pocket. “Perfect frame for our baby’s first Christmas photo,” he said, holding it up for the room. My mother-in-law’s face turned redder than the Christmas punch.

• My brother gave me a bright orange wallet. "Because you like orange so much," he said while flashing the wallet I gave him a few years ago. It's red. He's color-blind. © Whole-Arachnid-Army / Reddit
• My MIL handed me a beautifully wrapped gift, and when I opened it, I found a sweater that was several sizes too small. "I thought this might motivate you to get in shape," she said with a sweet but cutting smile. The room went silent as I sat there, humiliated.
  Then my husband took the sweater, held it up, and said, "Wow, Mom, you didn't have to get Max a present!" Then he tossed it onto the couch where our golden retriever, Max, was lying. Everyone laughed nervously, and her smug expression disappeared.
• Recently I was talking with my mom about how I've cut back pretty significantly on scented products of any kind for my health as I have allergies and asthma that has gotten worse. She got me scented shower steamers because she felt I must miss the fun scented stuff. © StoryAlternative6476 / Reddit
• When I was 10 years old, my grandparents gave me an unwrapped suitcase for Christmas. In the interests of convenience, they used that suitcase for the wrapped presents for my sisters. © ragedandobtused / Reddit

• I got a mini jewelry box for traveling from my mother. She gets me cheap jewelry every Christmas (because she likes it), and the only jewelry I wear is my wedding ring and occasional necklace. And I never travel. © tkdbbelt / Reddit
• I once got a beard trimmer only to discover that it had been used and put back in the box with curlies. © KonichiwaJones / Reddit
• My boyfriend's grandma had a really unique diamond ring, and I complimented the setting. Later, we met up for lunch, and she gave me my Christmas present. I opened the box and was really confused because there were only little plastic rings. I thought it was something craft-related, she knows I crochet.
  No, turns out it was for sizing a ring. And a piece of paper under it showed me the ring that was being custom-made. She bought me my own diamond ring. © notyourcoloringbook / Reddit
• When my wife and I first got married, her parents hated me. One year, they got me a woman's sweater. The next Christmas, I wore it over, and my MIL asked my wife why I was wearing a woman's sweater. © RichLyons*** / Reddit

• My mom asked what my 13-year-old daughter wanted for Christmas, and I said, "She likes to sew." How this led to our entire extended family buying her nothing but yarn, I do not know. © Downtown_Statement87 / Reddit
• My sister got a book from my grandmother titled “Proper Etiquette.” She proceeded to tell her in front of the whole family that “She’ll be more likely to make the boys stay after reading it!” My sister just smiled and carried on. © ***_rot02 / Reddit
• Last Christmas, my MIL handed me a small box with a smirk and said, “This is just for you, dear.” Everyone leaned in as I unwrapped it. Inside was a DNA test kit. I froze. “Uh… thanks?” She smiled sweetly. “I thought it’d be fun, you know, to see where you really come from.” The air was thick with tension as my husband frowned and asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Oh, nothing,” she said, feigning innocence. “I’ve just always been curious.” Weeks later, the results arrived. Turns out, her husband wasn’t my husband’s biological father. Best Christmas gift ever.

To build anticipation, many people wrap gifts in creative ways that spark curiosity. Social media users have shared their unique gift-wrapping ideas, and we've compiled the most inventive ones.