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A Christmas Present Dilemma

So last night we got to share Christmas with my brother and his fiance early because they will be in New Jersey on Christmas day. The plan was he would be giving out his presents to everyone and we would be giving him his, and spending the evening together for dinner and sharing a good old family Christmas dinner. It was nice to see them since they live in NOVA, although sad because my younger sister couldn't join us due to work the next day in Maryland.

Anyway, during the gift exchange he and his fiance handed out gifts and in turn we handed him gifts. HOWEVER, I never received anything from him. They all finished opening gifts, hugging/kissing and we were ready to get up and eat dinner. But, I never got anything and my brother never said anything about it, which is strange because we always give each other something and I AM his only brother.

So the dilemma. Do you say something about not getting a gift? Do you let it go? Do you think he forgot? I mean, Christmas is about GIVING and NOT RECEIVING. It would be pretty conceited to say "hey where's my gift?" -- How selfish. Since we picked names on my mom's side does that mean he's not getting me a gift, even if it's on my dad's side? Hmm. So, I decided to keep my mouth shut.

Then my brother says during dinner ... "Oh Jamie's gift is on the table in the other room, just so you know when you see him" ... wait a second, Jamie is my sister's boyfriend. Now I'm really confused because how come he gets one and I don't! (you can start to see my internal struggle and selfish attitude coming through!) "He MUST have left it back at home and forgot about it! Surely he did!" I thought to myself.

After a little discussion with my wife on the way home and mentioning to my parents, I decided that it wasn't about receiving and was just going to let it go, thinking he just forgot.

As soon as my internal struggle was won, I get a call from my brother later that night letting me know he didn't forget, but I wasn't to get it till Christmas and he realized that he never said anything to me and it must have been extremely weird to be the only one not having a gift. We laughed and now I eagerly look forward to my present from my one and only brother on Christmas, which makes it a very very special gift!

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