Two Day Magazine

Dear Natalie,

My brother (who’s 25) just came out of the closet recently and while my whole family is very supportive of him, we do not care for his boyfriend. His boyfriend is much older than him (46) and wealthy seems to be very controlling and critical. When I tried telling my brother that I didn’t like his boyfriend, my brother accused me of not being supportive of his lifestyle and was really hurt. Honestly, I have no issue with my brother being gay, I just don’t want to see him in a bad relationship. How do I get through to him that I am worried? He says he’s in love.

--Worried Sister

Dear Natalie,

My boyfriend spent a lot of money on a pair of diamond earrings for me this year for Christmas but I hate them. They are really ugly and look like old lady earrings. I know he was so proud of getting me them but they seriously are not my style. I told him that I loved them, but I don’t. Is there anyway of me returning them without upsetting him? I know I sound like a brat, but they are just ugly.

---Bad Gift

Dear Natalie,

My girlfriend is a cancer survivor and I want to do something really special for her this year for Christmas. She said that she doesn’t want any gifts at all, but I think she deserves something special. I would love to take her away somewhere or do something big. What do you think?

--Do It Up Right

Dear Natalie,

My boyfriend and I just split up and I am really upset about it. He totally cheated on me and I caught him. The shittiest part is, we exchanged Christmas gifts early this year because he is heading overseas to visit family. I got him a really great watch the NIGHT BEFORE I find out he has been cheating. I kind of want it back to return it (it was expensive!) Is it totally tacky to ask for it back? He leaves tomorrow and won’t be back for ten days.

--Give it Back

Dear Natalie,

I’m Jewish and my husband is Catholic. We are unsure as to what we should do for the holidays. We just had our first baby and his family is very adamant that we celebrate the holidays with them, but I feel very uncomfortable. I want our child(ren) to enjoy both the Jewish and the Catholic traditions. How can I approach my in-laws about this? My parents are gone, so really I only have his family around.

--Hanukkah, Anyone?

Dear Natalie,

My boyfriend is struggling this holiday season. His dad just passed away and I am not sure what to do or say to make him feel better. He is really down and not looking forward to the holidays. Is there anything I can do to cheer him up? They were so close and I know this is really hard on him, as it was an unexpected death.

--Sad Christmas

Dear Natalie,

Let me be perfectly honest. I hate Christmas. It’s such an awful holiday in my opinion. But my girlfriend is totally into it and wants me to go to all of these holiday parties with her and buy a tree together and decorate it...I have no desire to do any of that. I love her and want to have a family with her someday, but we got into this big fight and she said she wants our kids to experience the holidays and I am ruining it. Is it that big of a deal? Seriously not going to have kids with me over Christmas??? I need some advice.

-Ebenezer

Dear Natalie,

I really want to propose to my girlfriend this Christmas. What is the best way to surprise her with her engagement ring? I want to make it special.

--Hoping For a Yes

Dear Natalie,

My boyfriend and I have been having some trouble lately in our relationship. It just never seems like he can support my decisions. I just got a huge promotion at work and I was so excited to tell him the good news but all he did was complain that I won’t be home as much. It really hurt me. He didn’t even congratulate me. All he did was criticize me about how much time I spend working. But, honestly, I’ve been working more because he is increasingly miserable to be around. What should I do?

--Unhappy at Home

Dear Natalie,

For Christmas, my wife wants to get her breasts done. We just had our second baby and she thinks her breasts don’t look the same as they did before kids. I tell her all the time how hot she is but she is convinced that she doesn’t look good. I have serious reservations about her getting her breasts done because of the risks of surgery. Should I put my foot down and refuse to pay for her surgery or should I get her this and be supportive? We don’t know if we want anymore kids, but I don’t want my kids growing up without a mom. The thought of her undergoing surgery really scares me.

--The Wrong Gift

Dear Natalie,

My fiance and I are moving into our first home together soon and we haven’t been able to compromise on anything it seems. I want to live in the city (or at least near it!) and he is ready for the suburban life (freaking me out, talking about kids already and we aren’t even married yet!) The place he loves is gorgeous, but it is over an hour from my work and he gets everything he wants (big yard, big kitchen, lots of bedrooms and good school district for our imaginary children) and I get nothing I want, which is, close to work, close to great shops and restaurants, and close to our friends. I found a great townhouse (which is more practical) but he hates it. What can we do to compromise? I don’t want this to be a point of contention!

--City Lover

Dear Natalie,

My wife insists that I spend a lot of time with her family, but we have been married for seven months now and she still won’t hang out with my family. My sister is really hurt by this and told me I need to talk to my wife. What should I do?

--Man in the Middle