17 people share the most passive aggressive Christmas gift they've ever received.

Christmas gifts are usually designed to send a message of love, companionship, understanding, gratitude.

Or not.

Reddit users have revealed the most passive aggressive Christmas presents they’ve received. And the list is brutal. Think weight loss memberships, clothes that are 16 sizes too big, acne wash, deodorant. Or, for one poor soul, a recorder for their toddler. Ouch. 

Hint, hint

“A watch with a note in the box that read ‘time to sort your life out’. Thanks mum.” – Fnarley

“My grandma gifted me a book with the title ‘how to found a family’. Yes, I get it, grandma, you want a great grandchild.” – Gimmedatpls

“I had a friend who was five months pregnant and was not married, her aunt gave her a book that was basically about how she was going to hell. Keep in mind my friend had a serious boyfriend of seven years, they just didn’t want to get married.”  – your_mom-ohhgotcha

“My mum put job applications in my stocking. This was a year after I had started my own business (which is doing great by the way).” – enphurgen

This Glorious Mess, Mamamia’s parenting podcast. Post continues below. 

Mother-in-laws have a way with it

“My mother-in-law came over last thanksgiving and made a big deal about how my serving dishes didn’t match. For Christmas, I got an entire serving set from her with a note that said, ‘A lady’s table is her greatest masterpiece for her husband, so don’t sit him down to a kindergarten drawing’.” – kandakandero

“My mother does not get on well with her sister so she gave her nephew a recorder on his first birthday. I repeat: she gave a recorder to a toddler.” – Refugenius

“My mother-in-law gave me a blouse that was size 24. I was a size eight.” – Ijustcantstayaway

Hygiene and manners are common themes

“From my stepmother for Christmas: Acne wash, deodorant, and a pack of gum.” – CatsonCocaine

“My grandmother got me a box of ‘thank you’ notes. I didn’t send her one.” – khaleezey

“When I was eight, I got kids books detailing peeing and pooping and to this day I don’t know if it was a joke or a message.” – oddStranger

More aggressive than passive

“My sisters gave me Metamucil and fibre bars so I could ‘get that stick out of my ass’.” – Ajftbl

Ones that just don’t work

“My mother once gave me a self-help book called ‘Procrastination: Why You Do It, and What to Do About It Now’. Well, obviously, I’m not going to do anything about it now, MUM. I’ll do something about it later.”

Awww

“One year my dad gifted me two self-help books on how to better your personal finances. I left them in my car for two months when they fell out and I noticed he had stashed cash intermittently throughout them.” – yellophant

Right back at you

“My sister was overseas for Christmas, but thoughtfully left me the gift of Trinny and Susannah’s ‘How to Dress for your Body Type’ book. I regifted it to her the next year. And back and forth we go.” – whyareyousolate

Low blows

“Flowers from my in-laws addressed to ‘Mrs. TheirLastName’. I kept my maiden name and they know it.” – auntiepink

“Year-long gym membership. A month after I had my baby.” – nanofarm

“My parents gave me a book called ‘Card games for one’. – bonerwashington