My great Aunt was a tightwad. Now, she had plenty of money, but she never spent it on anyone but herself. But that was her prerogative.

Our Christmas presents were usually something unwanted from her closet, like a belt that didn’t fit, or maybe some costume jewelry. Ok, I do have to admit the costume jewelry could be fun sometimes.

One year we visited her for Christmas and she gave us each a gift, wrapped with last year’s re-used paper and accompanied by one of those free cards you get in a mailer from the Humane Society or Audubon or some charity.

She passes out a present to me and my sisters. I think I got an old faux gold bracelet. It was a typical year for me. Then she realizes she has forgotten my mother, who’s her niece. I could see the realization pass across her face. So she says “Oh. “ She walks over to the pantry, steps in and and comes back and hands my mother a jar of tuna mayonnaise. No gift wrap. No card. No kidding. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I thought “Jeez, she’s really outdone herself this time and not in a good way.”

I don’t remember if my mother said anything except “thanks” in the moment, but boy did we have a lot to say when we got home! We still laugh about that one.