‘Money’s tight this year, so don’t expect much,’ my mom warned — then I watched every grandkid unwrap iPads and sneakers while my son got a dollar store toy. Dad chuckled, ‘Be grateful he got anything.’ I smiled, took a photo, and what I posted the next morning blew up the entire family group chat.
I’m Felix. I’m 33, and this Christmas was supposed to be simple. That’s what my mom said when she called me in late November.
“Money’s tight this year, so don’t expect much, okay?”
Her voice carried that half-apologetic, half-guilty tone she used whenever she wanted me to let something slide before it even happened. I told her I understood. Everyone was feeling the pinch lately. And honestly, I meant it.
My focus was just on making the holidays special for my 7-year-old son, Lucas.
It’s been a rough year for him after my divorce, and I figured a quiet, cozy family Christmas at my parents’ house might lift his spirits.
