I was surprised when I saw the presents—my sister had made a serious mistake choosing gifts for Colin and Daniel’s sixth birthday. Instead of fun toys or games, she gave them identical sets of dull clothing, hardly fitting for a celebration.

Confused, I knelt to comfort my disappointed twins as they clutched the unwanted clothes. Colin, with tearful eyes, said, “Mom, Aunt gave us clothes. We wanted toys!” Daniel added, “Yeah, this is the worst birthday ever!”

My heart sank. Turning to my sister, I whispered, “What were you thinking? Clothes for their birthday? They’re only six!” She looked genuinely puzzled. “I thought they could use new outfits—practical gifts.”

I took a deep breath. “It’s their birthday, not a wardrobe refresh. They wanted something fun.”

Realizing her mistake, she quickly apologized and promised a toy shopping trip. The twins brightened up at the idea, and we salvaged the day by visiting their favorite toy store. The initial disappointment turned to excitement, and they proudly showed off their new treasures when we returned.

Despite the rocky start, the day ended memorably, teaching us the importance of understanding children’s expectations. My sister vowed to make birthdays joyful celebrations for Colin and Daniel.