'I gifted my cousin a scratch card and he won - my wife's demanding the money'

A man has spoken out after a winning scratch card gifted to his cousin led to an unexpectedly heated exchange with his wife.

Every Christmas, the unnamed husband says he meets up with his extended family members to swap 'stocking stuffers', with tradition dictating that no gift should exceed the $10 mark (around £7).

Mindful of this, this man from the US has always bought scratch-off lottery tickets for the adults, giving them out at their annual festive gathering.

Usually, the winnings won't add up to much, being "almost always trash". Once, his uncle won a modest $50 and the rest of the party went 'crazy'.

However, for this family, it's always been less about the money and more about having a fun time. together.

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You can therefore imagine the surprise and delight all round when, this time around, a 23-year-old cousin scratched his ticket and discovered he'd won the maximum jackpot of $50,000 (£36,000).

Describing the scene that unfolded on Reddit's Am I the A**hole forum, the man recalled having been 'f***ing elated'.

He said: "I scooped him up in a big bear hug and said Merry Christmas you lucky a**hole. He was screaming and his mom was actually in tears and the whole room was excited. It was literally one of the top ten experiences of my life".

However, it was then that his phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, the poster saw a message from his wife, simply reading "Come out to the car".

After heading outside, the wife's body language made it apparent that she was displeased by the shock win.

"She told me there is no way that we are giving my cousin $50k, then starts fussing at me about buying the lotto tickets to begin with," he continues.

Offering some context to the situation, the poster, who is said to be in his mid-forties, explained that he and he wife were already comfortable financially and - although this sum would certainly be "nice to have", they didn't really need any more money.

However, for the young winner - a recent college graduate just getting started in life - this lucky win would be 'life-changing'.

"His mom is single and was one of those fiercely independent women who refused charity. She took on extra jobs to help him pay for school. He worked at least two jobs himself while going to school full time and still managed dean's list.

"But he still had to take out loans. He landed a job, but he can't afford a car yet or to live close to the office, so he's looking at nearly a two-hour commute. He's also saving for an engagement ring for his sweet girlfriend of three years. This money would literally change this kid's life and frankly I think it couldn't have gone to a better member of my family."

The poster tried to explain to his wife that they hadn't given their relative $50k, having actually given him a ticket which cost just $5.

However, the furious wife is said to be 'not buying, and she won't let it go'.

"She is now demanding I go back in there and take the ticket back from him, saying maybe we'll give him some of it. We argue a little bit, I can't get her to explain why she wants this money so bad other than "it's ours and you're not giving it away".

The couple fought about the matter all the way home, and have barely spoken a word to each other since.

Over in the comments section, Reddit users have expressed more than a few opinions, with many agreeing the wife had no right to take the ticket back.

One person remarked "It legally belongs to him", noting "there are a ton of witnesses".

While another advised: "You don't take gifts back when you realize they are worth more than you thought".

Do you believe the husband should take back the winning ticket? Let us know.