A woman shared a heartbreaking experience on Reddit about her first Christmas with her fiancé’s family. Excited to spend the holiday with them, she carefully picked out thoughtful gifts for everyone. She was thrilled to learn they had prepared 18 gifts for her, but that excitement quickly turned to dismay when every single gift turned out to be a lump of coal.

She initially thought it was a joke, but as she opened more gifts, she realized the “gifts” were serious. Unable to hide her disappointment, she burst into tears. Her fiancé, Dan, explained that this was a family tradition for newcomers, meant to be lighthearted and fun. However, she was devastated, especially since she had skipped her own family’s celebration for this experience.

After leaving the gathering, Dan and his family bombarded her with messages, accusing her of embarrassing them and ruining the holiday. Feeling unsure about her reaction, she turned to Reddit for advice. Most commenters supported her, agreeing that the family’s tradition was insensitive and hurtful.

As one Reddit user remarked, “That’s a terrible tradition, especially for someone who’s new to the family.” Another added, “You have every right to be upset. It’s not funny, it’s just mean.”