She had made a trip in to Deniliquin specifically to get the last of the gifts, and then spent that evening wrapping them and placing them under the tree.
But on Saturday morning she woke to find every single gift under her tree was gone.
The 87 year-old said she was confused at first and thought she may be going senile, but then realised someone - or a group of people - had been in her home and stolen every last item.
She then realised she may have forgotten to lock her door when going to bed that evening.
“It would have taken two people, at least, to get all the gifts out in one go, so there may have even been a few of them,” Betty told the Pastoral Times yesterday.
“I had a bunch of Christmas bags, a cane basket that was overflowing, and two more big boxes.
“I have a big family and a wide circle of friends, and I’ve recently welcomed a few new great grandchildren so baby gifts for them were also under the tree.
“I have quite a large coffee table in front of the tree and the thief or thieves managed to negotiate around it without anything being moved out of place quite easily.”
While she’s sure she will never see any of the items again, Betty said she is hoping the Christmas spirit may strike and that the sentimental items among the stolen goods are returned at the very least.
“My late husband Leo, more commonly known as Bo, was a passionate Richmond supporters and even played for Richmond at one time. His sister gifted him a China tiger.
“One of my grandsons is named after Leo, and he recently got a new baby brother. I had carefully wrapped the tiger to give to his brother as a Christmas present.
“Also gone is a Christmas bag that has been in the family since my children were little.”
While “sad and angry” at what has occurred, Betty became most upset when she went over the ‘what ifs’ from Friday night.
“While it has all been upsetting, I know it could have been worse.
“What if I woke up and came out? I was asleep just six feet away.
“Losing a few presents is not the most important thing, and I am lucky to have a supportive family and to be blessed with great friends.
“The police also responded very quickly.
“The thing that worries me most though is that there is great fear in the complex I live in, and in the community.”
This is not the first time Betty’s home has been targeted by thieves or would be thieves over the last two years, with her storeroom previously disturbed.
And she said there has been a growing number of break-ins, thefts and car thefts in the Mathoura area.
She said it is almost weekly that one of the residents in her residential complex reports someone lurking around.
“The people who are doing this are grasping every opportunity.”
Anyone with any information about the theft is encouraged to contact Deniliquin Police on 5881 9299 or CrimeStoppers on 1300 333 000. Calls to CrimeStoppers can remain anonymous.
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