Two Hot Takes EP 248: "Festive Fiascos..." (Dec 25, 2025)
Episode Overview
In this special holiday episode, host Morgan Absher and her co-hosts (Justin, Mikayla, Lauren, and Morgan’s dad) dissect some of the wildest, juiciest, and most chaotic stories about holiday mishaps, pulled from Reddit, listener submissions, and the wilds of the internet. The episode spotlights high drama in relationships, family gatherings gone awry, dating failings, and classic AITA (Am I The Asshole) dilemmas, all with a festive (sometimes fraught) backdrop.
Key Stories & Discussion Points
1. The "Santa Worshipping" Family ([04:09] - [23:42])
Story Summary:
A woman visits her boyfriend Adam’s family for Christmas only to discover his family are strict religious extremists who believe St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) is real, prepare him full meals, and treat his visit as a literal event. She becomes increasingly uncomfortable as the family's traditions morph into rituals, and she’s blamed for "ruining Christmas" because St. Nick left his food untouched with a non-believer present.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- “I felt his parents’ gaze on the back of my head...[Adam said] ‘His name is St. Nicholas and he only eats his dinner here. Don’t be disrespectful in our home.’ ...the way he said it gave me chills.” – OP’s Reddit post ([08:58])
- “It’s giving Get Out vibes.” – Justin ([10:10])
- “I thought our holidays have been rough, but these ones will take the cake.” – Morgan ([02:01])
Hot Takes:
- Morgan and Justin question whether this is a fringe cult-like tradition, noting the intertwining of religious extremism and family rituals.
- Justin and Morgan joke about the horror-movie potential, referencing “Appalachian” or isolated mountain vibes.
- Both express concern for OP and validate her fear and choice to reconsider the relationship.
Update:
OP confirms she’s safe, broke up with Adam, and was called a “degenerate” by his family for "ruining Christmas." Morgan and Justin express relief and empathy, emphasizing that unique, even cult-like traditions can and do exist. ([19:43])
2. The Spoiled PS5 Surprise ([26:04] - [41:13])
Story Summary:
A woman buys her boyfriend a PS5, wanting to surprise him, but he ruins the surprise through incessant guessing and snooping—something he does every year. OP wonders if she should cancel the order out of frustration.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- “It’s so disheartening but ...this is your person. This is gonna continue to be him.” – Morgan ([30:44])
- “Don’t ruin people’s surprises.” – Lauren ([31:49])
- “If you ruin the surprise, you don’t get the gift!” – Justin ([33:34])
Discussion:
- The hosts debate pettiness versus playful retaliation; Morgan leans toward playful trickery to "teach him a lesson."
- They reflect on gift-giving as a love language and the importance of preserving “the magic.”
- Update from OP: after a conversation, the boyfriend admits he was just guessing and being playful, and didn’t actually know. OP will still give him the PS5, but vows to add some “smoke and mirrors” to future surprises.
3. Family Holiday Chaos: In-Laws Overstaying ([45:29] - [66:49])
Story Summary:
A new mother is hosting her husband's sister and family in their small one-bedroom apartment for 11 days, despite having a 7-month-old baby. She’s not consulted on this decision, expected to give up her car, and is gaslit by her husband for “not loving his family” when she objects. The situation escalates to outright emotional abuse.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- “You don’t have your space any more. Your space is taken over.” – Morgan ([48:27])
- “Your husband is only good for food and money.” – Justin ([61:12])
- “It’s not about control, it’s about respect.” – Morgan ([57:55])
Hot Takes (and Concern):
- Hosts express major red flags concerning the husband’s controlling and abusive behavior, as well as his lack of support and respect.
- Discussion about the impact of stress on postpartum mothers, baby routines, and the host’s autonomy in her own home.
- Advice is given to keep the hotel backup plan and seriously consider the state of the marriage.
Rapid Fire Holiday Mishaps ([68:10] - [88:02])
-
Inappropriate Neighbor at Christmas Party ([69:36])
- A mother calls out a 40-something neighbor who drunkenly hits on her 19-year-old son. Universal support for OP; double standards discussed.
-
Cancelling Christmas Over Family Drama ([77:04])
- OP cancels hosting Christmas after brother-in-law throws a fit over OP inviting his ex-wife (with whom he shares children, and who is vital to holiday preparations). Family is split; most support OP for standing her ground and refusing to carry the labor alone.
4. Secret Santa at Work: Should You Be Forced to Receive a Gift? ([104:20] - [116:31])
Story Summary:
OP organizes an office Secret Santa. A colleague, Trey, wants to give a gift but refuses to receive one (“no more clutter!”). OP is pressured to bend the rules but is frustrated at being asked to accommodate this exception.
Key Moments:
- Morgan and Lauren lament the pettiness and inflexibility on both sides, advocating for a simpler solution—let him participate and donate his gift, or just don’t involve him.
- “If you don’t want something, don’t play Secret Santa.”—Morgan ([110:01])
Update:
Trey allowed to play, provided he finds a solution for his end, such as donating the gift. No hard feelings.
5. Proposing as a Christmas Gift? ([117:38] - [134:37])
Story Summary:
OP’s friend plans to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas and considers the engagement ring his only “gift” to her. OP warns him she’ll expect presents in addition to the proposal, especially because she loves exchanging gifts.
Key Discussion:
- Deep debate over whether the engagement/proposal “counts” as a Christmas present.
- Morgan: “An engagement is a mutual celebration, not a gift.” ([129:24])
- Lauren: “But the ring is expensive ...maybe it balances out?” ([122:05])
- Ultimately, both agree it depends on the couple, but Morgan stresses communication about expectations.
6. The Polycule Family Thanksgiving Disaster ([139:10] - [161:18])
Story Summary:
OP’s fiancé lies to his parents about OP’s family structure (her parents & Rose are polyamorous partners) for over two years. When the truth emerges at Thanksgiving, chaos ensues: his parents believe something incestuous is happening, OP’s family is hurt, and the fiancé continues dodging accountability.
Key Moments & Quotes:
- “Who fixes this mess? He needs to fess up.” – Morgan’s Dad ([146:38])
- “He let it explode and did zero to help clean it up, nor did he take accountability until Mommy and Daddy scolded him.” – OP update ([157:15])
- “You can never fully trust a liar again.” – OP ([158:37])
- “This is a trust issue ...if he can’t be honest, you gotta dump the dude.” – Morgan’s Dad ([150:28])
Resolution:
OP decides to step back, move home, and consider counseling or ending the engagement, praised for her maturity in handling the fallout.
Notable Quotes & Time Stamps
- “It’s giving Get Out vibes.” – Justin, [10:10]
- “These stories make me glad my holiday drama is low-key...” – Morgan, [01:58]
- “If you ruin the surprise, you don’t get the gift!” – Justin, [33:34]
- “You have a young child, you’re nursing...and you have a small place. Don’t you think you’d even consider asking the person you share this home with?” – Justin, [50:52]
- “It’s not about control, it’s about respect.” – Morgan, [57:55]
- “Your space is taken over ...I’m getting such red flags from this dude.” – Morgan, [48:27]
- “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you—literally feeding you.” – Morgan, [87:29]
- “An engagement is a mutual celebration ...not a gift to me.” – Listener comment read by Morgan, [129:24]
- “You can never fully trust a liar again.” – OP (Polyamory Story), [158:37]
- “This is a trust issue ...if he can’t be honest, dump the dude!” – Morgan’s Dad, [150:28]
Episode Tone & Insights
The episode balances humor and empathy, skipping over the judgmental or sensational and focusing on humanizing all but the most egregious offenders (looking at you, abusive husband and lying fiancé). The co-hosts freely share their personal boundaries, disappointment with bad partners, and creative revenge suggestions, but always with warmth and relatability. There are running jokes about "holiday horror movies," the madness of family expectations, the sacred magic of presents, and the necessity of seeing the human (and the red flag) in muddled relationships.
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Opening & “Santa Cult” Story: [01:00] - [23:42]
- PS5 Surprise Spoiled: [26:04] - [41:13]
- In-laws Invading New Mom’s Home: [45:29] - [66:49]
- Party Stories (“Neighbor Flirts with Son” etc.): [68:10] - [88:02]
- Secret Santa/Work Gifting Drama: [104:20] - [116:31]
- Christmas Proposal Debate: [117:38] - [134:37]
- Polycule Family Debacle: [139:10] - [161:18]
- Closing/Reflections: [161:41] - [163:12]
Final Reflections
This episode underlines that holiday chaos is a universal experience, soothed only by humor, boundaries, honesty, and sometimes a well-timed hotel reservation. Whether it’s the horror of in-law takeovers, oddball traditions, or fragile family peace, the hosts repeatedly validate listeners for setting boundaries and seeking joy amidst the fiascos. As Morgan says: “If your holidays have ever felt like a disaster, you’re in good company—and it can only go up from here.”