Secret Santa drama after family sets $250 minimum

ATLANTA - Secret Santa is supposed to be a fun holiday tradition, but one woman’s family twist has turned the Christmas spirit into a spending competition, according to the New York Post. The 29-year-old is opting out of her family’s annual gift exchange this year after they set a jaw-dropping $250 minimum per gift.

After covering her bills and essentials, she says shelling out that kind of cash on a single gift just isn’t feasible. Her decision, however, hasn’t gone over well—her mom called her "petty," and her dad insisted "it’s not about the price but the spirit of Christmas."

But the holiday shopping pressure doesn’t stop at Secret Santa. She’s still expected to buy presents for her parents, sibling, and grandparents.

When she shared her story online, the internet was quick to weigh in. 

One Reddit user called the family’s tradition a "luxury spending competition," while another suggested a new rule: no gift swapping among adults, with the focus instead on gifts for children.

The post has sparked a debate about how to keep holiday traditions meaningful—and affordable—without losing the joy of the season. What do you think? Would you spend $250 on Secret Santa, or would you sit this one out too?