When it comes to choosing the perfect gifts for your family, this can be a real challenge, especially when it’s for the kids. Maybe you want to pick something they’ll love, but the stakes feel even higher—either they might not be thrilled with what you got, or, in a few cases, they might get overly attached to it. This can create a whole new set of challenges.

Story 1

After a year of begging, I got my kid a kitten for Christmas. But within a week, I realized the kitten was more trouble than I expected. Food disappeared from the counter, pillows were shredded, and my favorite plant was mysteriously tipped over.

I reached my breaking point when I walked into the kitchen to find my kid spilling juice all over the carpet. “The kitten made me do it!” she cried, holding the kitten like an accomplice. I was speechless.

Story 2

I got my son a walkie-talkie set for Christmas, and he was thrilled. He and his friend Emma spent hours running around the neighborhood, pretending to be spies. I thought it was harmless fun, but a week later, Emma’s mom called me, furious. “Your son’s behavior is inappropriate!” she yelled. Confused, I asked what happened.

Turns out, my son had been using the walkie-talkie to hide in the bushes and scare Emma with ghost noises. She was so frightened that she refused to go outside alone anymore. I sat my son down and explained how his prank had hurt Emma’s feelings. He felt awful and apologized to her the next day.

Story 3

Story 4

I bought my son the special “slime” soap. He literally squeezed it down the drain in the shower, because watching it go down is apparently more exciting than using it again. © what-the-wha / Reddit

Story 5

When my daughter was about 4 (she’s 23 now), my younger brother thought it would be absolutely hilarious if he bought my daughter a drum set. Needless to say, neither me nor my wife were particularly thrilled about that. And we promised revenge.

Yesterday, when my 3-year-old niece opened the big box from her uncle and aunt, my brother’s eyes got as big as a dinner platter as he saw that we had actually returned the favor by buying HIS daughter a 4-piece drum set. © UncleJay74 / Reddit

Story 6

Story 7

We got my brother a little watch that he can make phone calls on. We all have about 100 missed calls on our phones. We can’t make him stop. © katcat98 / Reddit

Story 8

I bought my son noise-canceling gamer headphones. Now I have to walk to him and make eye contact to talk. I forgot he likes being upstairs when I am always downstairs. I can yell all day, but he can’t hear me. It’s so frustrating, but I’m liking the workout. © Healers*** / Reddit

Story 9

I got my 2-year-old nephew a full fireman costume so he could play dress up. Full suit, helmet, visor, plastic axe, and fire extinguisher that sprays real water. You know what else it has? A whistle. My sister is not pleased with me. © jenniferfey / Reddit

Story 10

My grandma got my baby sister a toy baby that cries non-stop. I didn’t know toys like that actually existed, but here I am, still listening to a crying toy baby because my 1-year-old sister is not a loving mother. © nates*** / Reddit

Story 11

Story 12

My mother got my baby a keyboard that makes cat sound effects on each key because I work for a feral cat rescue. My husband spent an hour learning to play a song on it. My cats are traumatized by the sounds. The baby doesn’t care about it yet, but I know my husband won’t let me get rid of the thing. © LadySilvie / Reddit

Story 13

My divorced parents inevitably bought me the same Christmas present every single year and then had a huge fight about it. It was never worth the toy. © monkey-bread / Reddit