Birthdays are one of the days that we look forward to the most during the year. After all, it’s a day that’s all about us, and we often get to spend it with our closest family and friends.
For children, birthdays are even more important and it often comes down to the gifts. The right gift can make their day, but the wrong one might just lead to some tears and disappointment.
In this story, children are upset over the gift their aunt gave them. You’ll have to decide whether her choice was right or wrong, but it’s something that probably happens all too often in real life.
When I saw the presents, I was shocked – my sister had made a grave mistake in picking gifts for Colin and Daniel on their sixth birthday. Instead of the usual fun toys and games, she had given them matching sets of clothes – plain, dull, and not at all fitting for a birthday celebration.
Confused, I squatted down to comfort my crying twins, who were holding the unwanted clothing. Colin, with teary eyes, managed to say, “Mom, Auntie gave us clothes for our birthday. We wanted toys!”
Daniel echoed, “Yeah, Mom, it’s the worst birthday ever!”
My heart sank seeing their disappointment. Turning to my sister, I asked quietly, “What were you thinking? Clothes for their birthday? They’re just six!”
Surprised, she looked genuinely puzzled. “I thought they could use some new outfits. Practical gifts, you know?”
Taking a deep breath, I tried to stay calm. “It’s their birthday, not a chance to update their wardrobe. They expected toys, something fun. This is their special day, and clothes just won’t cut it.”
Realization dawned on her face, and she quickly apologized, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it through. Let me make it up to them.”
Returning to the disappointed duo, my sister offered a heartfelt apology and promised a toy shopping spree. The twins, still sniffling, slowly brightened at the promise.
As the day unfolded, we salvaged the celebration by taking Colin and Daniel to their favorite toy store. The initial disappointment turned into excitement, and when we returned home, the twins proudly showed off their new treasures.
Despite the rocky start, the day became a memorable one, teaching us a valuable lesson about understanding children’s expectations. My sister, recognizing her mistake, vowed to be more considerate, making sure that birthdays would remain the joyous celebrations meant for Colin and Daniel.
