Karen’s housewarming party started on a high note. Her new home was beautiful, and the 75-inch 4K TV took center stage in the living room. She gave an exaggerated explanation of how incredible the picture quality was and how it was “the ultimate addition” to her home. Everyone nodded politely, offering compliments. I thought nothing of it—until Karen cornered me near the end of the evening.
“So,” she began, her voice casual but her tone sharp, “when can I expect your $1000 for the TV?”
I blinked, confused. “Excuse me?”
She sighed, as if I was the one being unreasonable. “I bought the TV as my housewarming gift to myself, and I expect everyone to chip in. It cost $4000, so I’m asking $1000 from you, Mom, Dad, and my brother.”
It took everything in me not to laugh. “Karen, we didn’t agree to this. We thought housewarming gifts should be something thoughtful, not dictated by the host, and certainly not this expensive.”
Her eyes narrowed. “But I already bought it! I need everyone to pay me back. It’s not fair if you don’t contribute.”
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Karen, gifts are voluntary. You don’t get to demand money for something you decided to splurge on.”
Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond. I knew I had to do something to show her just how absurd her expectations were.
—
The next day, I stopped by Karen’s house with a box wrapped neatly in colorful paper. Her eyes lit up, clearly expecting me to have reconsidered her request. “Oh, you didn’t have to,” she said, though her eager hands betrayed her excitement.
“I know how much you love your TV,” I said with a smile, handing her the gift. “So I thought this would be perfect.”
Karen tore open the wrapping paper and froze. Inside was a universal remote control—a budget-friendly one, at that.
“Are you serious?” she asked, holding it up like it was a piece of trash.
“Completely,” I said, feigning innocence. “I figured every TV needs a good remote, and this is within our budget. Thoughtful, right?”
Her face turned red with frustration. “I asked for $1000, not this!”
I shrugged. “Like I said, Karen, gifts are about what the giver wants to give, not what the receiver demands. This is what I can afford and what I thought would complement your TV. You should be grateful.”
She sputtered, trying to come up with a response, but I didn’t stick around to hear it. I left, feeling satisfied that I had made my point.
—
Later, my husband told me Karen had complained to the family, but everyone sided with us. “She bought the TV without consulting anyone,” his mom had said. “She needs to learn that’s not how gifts work.”
Karen eventually stopped demanding money, and while she wasn’t thrilled with my “lesson,” she never tried to pull something like that again. And as for the remote? I heard she ended up using it.
