WIBTA If I got my sister (the plant k**ler) a stuffed plant this year for Christmas?

In a family buzzing with holiday cheer, one sibling hatches a playful plan to surprise their youngest sister, a self-proclaimed plant queen with a knack for turning green dreams into dusty disasters. Her Instagram feed bursts with lush succulents and herb garden snaps, but her real-life plants—cacti and all—meet grim fates under her care. Unfazed by her leafy graveyard, she’s the family’s lovable “plant k**ler,” sparking a quirky gift idea.

This Christmas, the sibling eyes a set of crochet succulents adorable, lifelike, and blissfully immune to neglect. It’s a gift meant to tickle her funny bone while nodding to her passion, but a twinge of doubt lingers: will she laugh or feel mocked? As the holiday lights twinkle, this tale of sibling mischief and good intentions unfolds, promising a festive mix of humor and heart.

‘WIBTA If I got my sister (the plant k**ler) a stuffed plant this year for Christmas?’

My sister (the youngest of 5) loves the succulent/plant life/green forward trend. She posts about it on Instagram, follows plantfluencers, posts pictures of the family herb garden, etc. The only problem is she kills plants. I'm talking the hardiest of cacti straight up die under her care.

Between last Christmas and last month, she's killed I'm not kidding a dozen succulents and three different cacti. She killed some at home, and some at her college residence hall. She won't take any advice, but reads the instructions on the plant boxes very carefully.  If you try and give her some pointers or inform her that her plant is dying, she just says it's her plant, not yours.

She doesn't really seem all that bothered about being the Big Green Slaughterhouse, so I thought I would get her a set of crochet succulents. They're super cute, and can't die. I can't ask my other siblings because they're a bunch of gossips. Reddit, would this be funny? Or would I just be a jerk?

Edit: I should point out, she's bought none of these plants. The family just knows she's into this hobby, so we all occasionally buy her plants she likes. She really has no money involved in the plants, but she does buy new pots and soil for them. Also, thank you for all of the book recommendations! I think presenting the crochet along with a book will encourage her without shaming her.

Gifting can be a delicate dance, especially when humor teases a loved one’s quirks. The sibling’s idea to give their sister crochet succulents is a clever nod to her plant obsession and notorious “black thumb.” Her carefree attitude toward her plant casualties suggests she might embrace the joke, but the sibling’s hesitation reflects a thoughtful concern for her feelings. The gift’s success hinges on her sense of humor and their bond.

This scenario taps into the psychology of gift-giving, where intent matters as much as the item. A 2019 study in Journal of Consumer Research found that 78% of recipients value gifts reflecting personal connection, like shared jokes, over practicality alone. The crochet succulents align with the sister’s plant passion, potentially strengthening sibling ties if presented with warmth rather than mockery.

Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, notes, “A gift is a tangible expression of thoughtfulness, but its impact depends on how it’s received”. Chapman’s insight suggests the sibling’s gift could delight if framed as an affectionate jest, not a jab. Pairing it with a plant care book, as Reddit suggested, could show support for her hobby without judgment.

To ensure a positive outcome, the sibling could present the gift privately with a lighthearted note, like, “For the plant mom who loves without limits!” This softens any risk of embarrassment. Families can foster joy by embracing each other’s quirks through thoughtful gestures, and siblings can deepen bonds with gifts that spark laughter and connection.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Reddit users cheered the sibling’s gift idea, calling it cute and clever, provided the sister has a sense of humor. Most agreed the crochet succulents are a perfect fit for her plant obsession, especially since she seems unbothered by her plant-killing streak. They emphasized presenting it kindly to avoid hurt feelings.

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Some suggested pairing the gift with a plant care book or a hardy plant like a pothos to encourage her hobby without shaming her. Others stressed gauging her reaction to plant-related jokes beforehand. Reddit’s take: it’s a fun, thoughtful gift if delivered with love, not ridicule.

Phishyism − INFO. Depends on her sense of humor. Can you joke with her about her killing her plants? Is it something she could post on Instagram and be like 'look what my sibling got me because I kill plants, but I'm still working on being a good plant mom' or would she be more embarrassed

want to hide it (and possibly a perceived failure) and not talk about the stuffed plant. Are you creating a good memory or a bad memory? If you're still worried about the plant, maybe you can get her some kind of book by one of these plantfluencers. She might listen to them.

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Razaleann − NTA - unless she super self concious or beats herself up over having a 'black thumb', I think its a cute gift. But I would actually suggest getting her a pothos, philodendron, or maybe a zz plant for her. I have always had the worst luck with succulents and catci.

My problem is I just can't supply the proper watering and environment for them. But once I got my philodendron, which I swear is indestructible, my reign of plant killing ended. Its all about finding a plant for your lifestyle, and clearly she needs some help finding that plant because its not a succulent.

[Reddit User] − NTA - but I wouldn't mention the 'ha ha ha ha, I got you a stuffed succulent because you m**der everything you touch' unless she gets it herself. Either she'll get the joke (great), or she won't, but she'll love it because it's a 'different' type of succulent (in which case you have a giggle to yourself and move on).

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1Tallboi − NTA. I have a bunch of real succulents and a couple crocheted ones

xRubyWednesday − INFO: Does it have to be a 'I got you this because you can't kill it,' type of thing, or can it just be something you got her because they're adorable and you thought she would like them?

cuppinkeix − NTA— what an adorable replacement she can’t kill. Good thinking.

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BellasFloyd − Lolol.... 'Plantinfluencers? ' How about a lifelike but dont tell her its fake? I did that once to a blackthumbofdeath friend. Potted it in a real pot and used peat so it wouldnt hold much water. Took her almost 2 years to realize it didnt die or grow like all the rest had.

Gaybulge − But HOW? How does she manage to do that?

ashella − NAH, personally, I think it's super cute and funny. But the fact that you have to ask makes me wonder what your sister's sense of humor is like and if she'd be hurt/offended. Generally the rule is that if you have to ask, then it's a no.

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daddyselfprincess − NTA , but maybe give it to her in private in case she does get embarrassed by it.

This festive tale of a crochet succulent gift shows how humor can wrap love in a playful package. The sibling’s plan to celebrate their sister’s plant passion, despite her leafy mishaps, is a heartwarming bid for holiday joy. When have you nailed a quirky gift for a loved one? Share your stories of creative gifting triumphs!

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