The $50 Christmas Lesson
When Greg tossed a crumpled $50 bill onto the counter and smugly told me to “make a lavish Christmas dinner” for his family, I had a choice: let his arrogance slide, or teach him a lesson he’d never forget.
Guess which one I chose?
The Setup
Every year, Greg insisted we host Christmas dinner for his family. It wasn’t the hosting that bothered me—it was how he treated it like a royal decree. This year, however, he went too far.
We stood in the kitchen, and I mentioned planning the menu. Without looking up from his phone, Greg pulled out a crumpled $50 and tossed it on the counter.
“Here,” he smirked. “Make sure it’s a proper dinner. Don’t embarrass me in front of my family.”
I stared at the bill, then back at him. “Greg, this won’t even cover a turkey.”
He shrugged. “Be resourceful, Claire. If you’re not up to it, just say so. I’ll lower my family’s expectations.”
I clenched my fists. “Don’t worry, Greg. I’ll make it work,” I said sweetly, already plotting my revenge.
The Plan
For the next week, I let Greg believe I was scrimping and saving. I clipped fake coupons, “found” deals, and casually bragged about how frugal I was being. Meanwhile, I used my own savings to plan the most extravagant Christmas dinner his family had ever seen.
I hired a catering team, ordered elegant decorations, and crafted a five-star menu—all while Greg thought his $50 was doing the trick.
The Big Reveal
Christmas Day arrived, and the house looked like a holiday magazine cover. Twinkling lights, a beautifully set dining table, the smell of fresh rolls, honey-glazed ham, and roasted turkey.
Greg walked in, clearly impressed. “Wow, Claire. Guess my $50 really worked, huh?”
“Oh, just wait,” I replied, grinning. “Tonight’s going to be unforgettable.”
His family arrived, and Linda, his mother, froze as she scanned the opulent spread.
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