My 34yr old step-sister, who has real issues with being a responsible adult (in that she's apparently incapable of it), was going to attend the family Christmas dinner for the first time in years. Then a few days ago she threw an epic, toddler-esque tantrum because my dad asked her to help him move an old TV up from his basement and declared that she wouldn't be coming to Christmas after all. It was weird.

My step-mom brought over the gift that she had gotten us anyway. It was two, super thin, $1 tea towels from Dollar Tree. I folded them up and used them to set hot dishes on during Christmas dinner. I'll probably use them as shop rags, to be honest.

In contrast, I'd gotten her a nice gift this year and had intended to give it to her for Christmas. It was pretty generic, because knowing her interests is difficult since she's so .... estranged, but still... As far as generic gifts go, it was a nice one. I wanted to get her something nice since it seemed like she was finally making an effort to do family things with us all. Until she wasn't.

My daughter ended up giving the item to the mom of her boyfriend, who seemed to really like/appreciated it.

I found it more amusing than anything, though I do wish step-sis would get her act together, for the sake of the rest of the family.