This behavior happens during any gift giving/exchanging holiday, birthdays, mothers/fathers day, etc. but Christmas is the worst.

Description of behavior in a sample scenario.

Me: So what would you like for Christmas?

Mom: Just a hug & a kiss.

Me: Something with a price tag.

Mom: I don’t need anything, don’t waste your money on me. So what would you like for Christmas?

Me: I dont’ want anything.

Mom: Jesus why do you have to be so damn difficult? Stop acting like that. You can’t think of anything, c’mon, what do you really want!? Here, look through this magazine & mark anything you like. Now!

END.

I may have sprinkled hyperbole on that last bit, but you get the idea.

So, parents. Care to explain yourselves? Why can you request nothing for Christmas, yet when I do it, the gates of hell are busted wide open & I’m browbeaten into submission until I squeal out a gift idea? I have money. It’s not like buying her a potato ricer is going to break the bank. So what is it?