Reply #11: Poor girl. [View All]

There's nothing you can do. You and your mom have done a super job already by rewrapping the gifts and being honest with her.

She's homesick, it's almost Christmas, and I bet she wishes she'd never decided to participate in the exchange. Perfectly understandable. Of course she's going to blame you, there's nobody else for her to get mad at. Please let her be mad, it's the best gift you could give.

It'll blow over. If you have the money to spend, maybe you could give her a phone card for international calls so she can call her mom? Or some other gesture - surely there's a German Xmas tradition or treat you could surprise her with. Or, you could ask her to show you and you could do/make/shop together.