“Money’s too tight for your gifts this year,” my daughter-in-law, Yvette, texted me. I was disappointed, but I answered kindly and wished her, my son Carter, and the children a wonderful Christmas. I understood that even hardworking families could struggle financially, and I never wanted anyone spending money they didn’t have just to buy me something. So I accepted her explanation and thought nothing more of it.

Forty-eight hours later, I opened Instagram and stopped cold. Yvette’s mother was proudly displaying the Christmas presents Carter and Yvette had bought her: a Microsoft Surface Pro, an iPad with a keyboard, and Sony noise-cancelling headphones. Together, they appeared to cost more than $3,000. Apparently, money wasn’t tight—it was simply tight when it came to me. Then I remembered the $7,000 Laurentians chalet I had secretly booked for our family Christmas, along with ski passes and a private holiday dinner.

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