Imagine meeting your fiancé’s family for the first time at Christmas, only to find his ex-girlfriend as the guest of honor! This compilation of holiday stories features shocking twists and turns, including a surprise expensive gift, an unexpected Santa, and more.
These families went through some serious things during the festive season. Get ready to uncover what happens when a millionaire disguises himself to meet his in-laws or when a desperate mother tries to tell her kid some bad news on Christmas. Time to restore your faith in the holiday spirit!
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I Went to Meet My Fiancé’s Parents at Christmas, but His Ex Turned It Into a Nightmare
My fiancé, Brian, suggested we spend Christmas with his family. It was bound to happen eventually, considering how serious we were. Plus, I’d never met them before.
We had his family photos displayed at home, and they looked sweet enough, but if only I’d known what was waiting for me there!
As we drove to their house, I was dying of nerves. Brian’s family was old-fashioned, and he’d told me all about their “special traditions.” What he didn’t mention was that one of those traditions involved inviting his ex-girlfriend!
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Their house was HUGE, like a mansion. I knew they had money, but not like this.
I was already feeling intimidated, and then I met his mom, Cora. She was super elegant and put-together, and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb.
From the moment we arrived, I just tried to hold myself together. It was obvious I was the odd one out. Also, Cora had already made up her mind about me—or rather, about someone else. She was probably already adjusting the seams of my wedding dress to fit a certain glamorous brunette!
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But I didn’t know that until much later.
Dinner started out like an interrogation.
“So, Sara,” Cora asked, “what do you do?”
I told her I worked in marketing, trying to sound impressive.
“Marketing,” she repeated, making it sound like the most boring job in the world. I felt so self-conscious.
Later, I tried to win them over with my baking skills. I made this amazing pie, a family recipe that everyone always loved. But Cora took one bite and said, “Oh dear, are there nuts in this? I’m allergic to nuts.”
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Funny, because she didn’t even use an Epi-Pen or have any visible reaction. But anyway, I wanted to disappear!
And then, things got worse. Someone came to the door, and Cora introduced this “family friend” named Ashley. This girl was actually Brian’s ex-girlfriend. She was stunning, like straight out of a magazine, and she was all over my fiancé during dinner.
“Brian!” she exclaimed. “Remember that time we went hiking in the mountains? We had so much fun!”
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Meanwhile, Brian just stood there like a statue, completely captivated, while her fake giggles drilled into my ears.
I was seething. I couldn’t believe Cora had invited her, and I definitely couldn’t believe Brian was acting like this was perfectly normal. So, I did something totally impulsive.
I called my ex, Josh, and invited him over.
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When Josh arrived, things got interesting. I saw Brian’s face, but since inviting exes to Christmas was a “family tradition,” I shrugged at him.
Josh and I laughed, ate while telling old stories, and basically pretended to be having the best time, just to get back at Cora and Ashley for how they were treating me.
It definitely got under their skin, but I think the person most affected was my fiancé. He looked pretty jealous, which I have to admit, felt kind of satisfying. But ultimately, Brian did nothing. He let this all happen.
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At the end of the night, I was tired, and when Josh left, I couldn’t take it anymore. I went to the woman who was supposed to become my mother-in-law and said, “I never expected to be treated this way by my soon-to-be husband’s family. Honestly, I’d rather not join this family at all.”
Brian’s jaw slackened, and Ashley had a twinkle in her eye. But I walked out after those words with my head held high.
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The next few days were rough. I was filled with sadness and a little self-doubt. Had I overreacted? Was I being too sensitive?
Maybe Cora and Ashley didn’t do it on purpose. But just when I was spiraling, Brian showed up at my door. He apologized for his and his family’s behavior. He should’ve spoken out and told Ashley to back off or even leave.
I was so relieved that I wasn’t crazy!
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Something even more unexpected happened next. Cora arrived, followed by the rest of Brian’s family! They all apologized and said they had been wrong to invite Ashley and push her on Brian.
Cora even admitted that she’d always been protective of her son because of their family’s money. Ashley came from money too, so she was a safer bet.
After I forgave her, we ended up having a second Christmas celebration at my tiny apartment, and it was actually really nice.
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They Judged My Son for His Lack of Money, But I Had the Last Laugh
Hello! I’m Sam, and my son Will is this amazing kid, kind and loving. Being a single dad isn’t easy, and I definitely made some mistakes. I spoiled him, probably way too much.
I mean, I could afford it because I had made a fortune from an engine sealant I invented. But the downside was that all our money ended up attracting the wrong kind of people to Will.
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When Will decided to go to Yale, he came up with this plan to hide our wealth. He wanted to make real friends, not ones who just liked him for his money.
So, he dressed in scruffy clothes and pretended to be a poor scholarship student. It worked! He made great friends, and later, he met a wonderful girl named Eddy, short for Edwina. They quickly fell head over heels.
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Will proposed, and Eddy said yes. That Thanksgiving, she took him home to meet her parents, Marta and Farlow. He told me they were wealthy and wanted their daughter to marry someone rich, not a scruffy third-year science major.
They were polite to him but clearly disapproved of their relationship.
Still, Eddy insisted we spend Christmas weekend with them at their fancy beach house. But to keep our wealth a secret, we took a bus there, and I purposely dressed in my oldest, most worn-out clothes.
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When Eddy’s dad picked us up, he looked me up and down and practically sneered. He spent the whole ride bragging about his money and how important it was to him. I just smiled and nodded.
The next few days were pretty awful. They were constantly trying to subtly humiliate me, making snide comments about my clothes and implying that Will would never be able to provide Eddy with the lifestyle she was used to.
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I could tell that my future daughter-in-law was furious. At one point, she and her mother went to the kitchen. I went to the bathroom, and on my way back, I overheard their conversation.
She told her mother, “I’m going to marry Will, and Sam’s going to be family, so get used to it.”
Marta angrily retorted, “But darling, the man is a bum! Have you seen his clothes? He’s an embarrassment.”
Eddy shot back, “Believe me, Mom, you are much more of an embarrassment than Sam could ever be!”
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I have to admit, I was pretty proud that my son had found such a good woman. But I wasn’t sure about her parents.
On Christmas Eve, they gave Will and Eddy a brand-new Porsche as an early wedding present. They were so smug about it that I realized they thought they had one-upped me.
But I had a surprise of my own; one I had prepared earlier just because. I gave Eddy an envelope and said, “Will told me you two plan to move to New York after graduation. Finding a place to live in Manhattan isn’t easy, so I hope this helps…”
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Eddy opened the envelope and gasped. Inside was the deed to a brownstone in Tribeca!
Her parents were speechless. “But…but…but…” her dad stammered. “You’re POOR…The way you dress…You took the bus…”
“Well, Farlow,” I said gently. “I want my son to be loved and accepted for himself, not for the $570 million he will eventually inherit from me.”
That shut them up pretty quickly. After that, they couldn’t be nicer to me.
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Will and Eddy got married that next summer, and a few years later, they had a little girl. I even bought a house next door so I could be close to them.
I never liked Marta and Farlow, but I was polite to them because I knew Eddy. I knew that she made my son happy and cared for my granddaughter. That’s all that mattered.
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My Daughter Asked About Santa, and I Broke Down, then a Miracle Happened
I did everything I could for my family, but my husband, John, passed away last year, and I fell apart. He was an amazing father. I still remember when he bought our daughter, Kira, a yellow princess dress and chased her around the house.
We had a blessed and joyful life together, but everything changed after he was gone. It was just the two of us.
The first few months were a blur. I barely remember how we got through them. Friends and family brought food, helped with errands, and offered kind words, but nothing filled the emptiness in our home.
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The silence was deafening, the absence of his laughter a constant ache in my chest. Still, I did my best to hold it together for Kira’s sake. She was only six, and I didn’t want to burden her with the weight of my grief.
But as our first Christmas without him drew closer, it became harder and harder to keep up the facade. The holidays were always John’s favorite time of year.
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He loved the decorations, the carols, the spirit of giving. And most of all, he loved playing Santa for Kira.
Every year, he would disappear on Christmas Eve, only to reappear moments later in a full Santa suit, his beard perfectly white and his belly shaking with laughter. Kira would squeal with delight.
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Those memories were etched in my mind, both precious and painful.
Kira started asking about Santa sooner than I was ready for. I struggled and wondered how to explain that he wasn’t coming that year. I had told her that Daddy was in Heaven, but she didn’t know her father was Santa, too.
So, I changed the subject a lot, but I knew I couldn’t avoid the conversation forever. When we decorated the tree, she said, “I can’t wait to see Santa!”
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My heart broke even more, and I fell asleep trying to rehearse how I would tell her the truth the following day, Christmas Eve.
When evening arrived, I had the words all prepared. We were finishing up some cookies and enjoying the nice crackling fire I had set up to enjoy that night.
“Mommy,” she said suddenly, smiling widely. “Santa will come tonight, right?”
With a sigh, I sat beside her and wrapped her in my arms. “Kira, there’s something I need to tell you about Santa… and Daddy.”
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But my throat got tight. I couldn’t get the words out.
Just then, the doorbell rang. I hesitated, wiping away my tears. Who could that be?
Before I could answer, though, the door burst open! I froze when I heard a familiar “Ho, ho, ho!” My heart nearly stopped as I watched Santa Claus walk toward us.
Kira squealed while I was in shock, but as she ran to hug Santa, I realized who it was: Rick, my brother-in-law.
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Just behind him was Sandra, my best friend. They had gotten together to surprise us. She later told me they figured Kira didn’t need to know the truth about Santa this year.
I couldn’t have been more grateful. My daughter showed Santa the cookies she had baked and the tree we had decorated.
“Isn’t it the prettiest?” she asked.
“It’s the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen,” Santa replied, giving me a meaningful look.
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For those few precious hours, the pain of loss faded, replaced by pure Christmas joy. Even though my husband was gone, I wasn’t alone. I had my daughter, my friends, and the memory of a love that would last forever. And that was the greatest gift of all.
If you liked these stories, check out this other set about grandparents. Think being a grandparent is all about unconditional love and endless indulgence? Not always. These three shocking tales reveal the challenges, confrontations, and tough love moments that unravel when entitlement clashes with generosity.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Judge Judy Married Her Husband Twice — Her Inspiring Love Story
When Judge Judy Sheindlin divorced her husband, she was facing a heartbreaking situation. However, their split didn’t last, and later, she revealed the reason why she decided to remarry him.
Judge Judy Sheindlin, known for her role as a television court arbitrator and her background as a prosecutor and family court judge, is married to Jerry Sheindlin, who is also a lawyer and former judge.
Judy and her husband have always supported each other in their legal careers. When Jerry, then a New York State Supreme Court judge, was offered a spot on “The People’s Court,” he turned to his wife for advice.
In an interview, he recalled, “She is the one who told me I should do it,” adding that he wouldn’t have accepted the role if Judy had any doubts.
Despite his wife’s massive success on TV, the New York native wasn’t concerned about the competition, saying, “I think that behind every great woman there is a man. […] But I also heard a rumor that behind every great man, there is a woman.”
Jerry had just started easing out of his Supreme Court role when he began taping for “The People’s Court.” His new role, presiding over about 10 cases a day for two days a week, was much lighter compared to the 150 cases he used to manage.
Jerry and Judy’s connection has always been rooted in their shared legal careers, even from the very beginning. Their first meeting happened in a bar after Jerry had just finished defending a murder case.
He was talking to a reporter when Judy walked in, pointed a finger at him, and asked, ‘And who is this?'” Jerry recalled. His response was direct, “‘Lady, get your finger out of my face.’ We’ve been together ever since.”
Jerry and Judy Sheindlin attend Women’s Righs in Afghanistan Benefit Gala on March 29, 1999, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
While Jerry has enjoyed watching Judy’s television success, he humorously added, “If my show takes off and I beat her, I am contacting Hollywood immediately to remake the movie ‘Sleeping With the Enemy.'”
The couple’s relationship continued to evolve with their characteristic boldness and humor. After a year together, Judy subtly suggested marriage, but Jerry had his reservations.
Jerry and Judy Sheindlin attend 46th Annual Spirit of Achievement Luncheon on May 1, 2000, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
“Why does the government have to dictate our relationship, it’s just a piece of paper. We’re already devoted to each other, we’re already committed to each other,” he told her.
Rather than pushing the issue, Judy simply stated that if Jerry wanted them to live together, he should ask for her father’s permission. Not wanting to face her dad, Jerry made a different choice—he set a wedding date, and the two were married in 1977.
Jerry and Judy Sheindlin attend Merv Griffin’s Coconut Club for a special performance on January 13, 2001, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Though the pair were deeply committed to each other, their relationship faced a challenge in 1990 when they divorced. The strain came after the passing of Judy’s father, Murray Blum, which left her under immense emotional stress. However, their time apart didn’t last long, as they remarried just a year later.
Jerry reflected on that difficult period, saying, “I missed her presence the very first week that we were separated. It was the first time in years that we didn’t get to see each other every single day. It was such a strange experience.”
Jerry and Judy Sheindlin pictured down Madison Ave on January 29, 2002, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Judy acknowledged that she enjoyed being married and had missed Jerry during their time apart. To her, there’s something special about sharing life as a couple and the connection that comes with marriage.
After remarrying after their divorce, Judy opened up about the brief split in a rare interview. When asked why she chose to reunite with Jerry in 1991, she explained, “That’s a long story, but the end of the story is: I found … that most men were alike.”
The public figure went on to share her thoughts about the differences between men and women. “They have basic needs that are different from women’s,” she said.
They enjoy being taken care of, receiving affection, and having their personal space. As long as they are fed, shown love, and given room to do their own thing, they tend to be content, Judy added.
Judy and Jerry Sheindlin at the Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai’s Annual Luncheon on April 13, 2015, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
She has always been candid about the dynamics of her long-lasting marriage with Jerry. In a January 2024 interview, she offered some insight into how they’ve kept their relationship strong after nearly 50 years together.
“You don’t spend 24 hours together because that’s deadly,” she explained, highlighting the importance of personal space. Judy added, “Jerry just celebrated his 90th birthday and I still like to look at him when he walks in the room—that’s a key.”
Judy and Jerry Sheindlin pictured on December 17, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Judy, now nearing her 82nd birthday on October 21, 2024, has always stressed the value of maintaining a good appearance, especially as one ages. However, when it comes to Jerry, she doesn’t need to remind him—he’s already well aware of how to stay in shape.
“He loves himself desperately. Jerry is almost ten years older than I am, but I think his goal is to outlive me. He takes very good care of himself,” said the TV star, who once had a mini-stroke during a show taping.
Judy and Jerry’s enduring bond continues to charm fans, both on and off the screen. In a heartfelt Facebook post, she uploaded a picture of the couple, which quickly drew admiration from followers.
One person commented, “You and your husband look so good together. Love [sic] your smiles,” while another added, “You look amazing. Love your down to earth [sic], common sense judgments.”
Judy Sheindlin and Jerry Sheindlin’s long-lasting relationship highlights the power of love, mutual respect, and shared humor. After nearly five decades together, their bond remains strong, proving that true companionship can endure through all of life’s challenges.
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