Posted By:
Jason L1) Ask your parents to send you the gift (assuming a check) in the mail, and then you could misrepresent the amount to your wife, skimming a good portion off the top for your needs. "Gee, sorry hon. They must have had a tougher year in the market this year."
2) Simply ask your parents to buy you the top item or 2 on your card wantlist, and that would be that. "Gee, sorry, hon. I don't know why they chose to do that..."
Now, I say you COULD do that. I don't necessarily recommend it - I'm just trying to give you options. If these don't work, be sure to have alternate room & board options already prepared. Good luck, and I hope to be seeing great things from you on the Decmber and January New Pickups threads! 