Aibu to want him to take this unpractical gift back

[Mrsbattleaxe]

This year me and DH have decided to reign in christmas for one another. DC has been bought for with a few bits left to get. Me and him need nothing and don't really want anything apart from a few practical little bits.

We have not long moved and there is a fair bit we need to do with the house when the weather gets a bit better. We have a bit saved up for this and have said that money has been put aside for x y & z and he was happy with that. We have been together 13years and have done the extravagant gifts in the past and tbh we both agreed it's very hard to buy for each other now.

I had a tesco delivery yesterday and ordered a few nice chocs wine biccies ECT to put away for Xmas so thought this morn il pop them down in the garage.

We have a half converted double garage, the previous owners have left the garage doors on but have had flooring laid and a false celling put in so its in effect a large room. As it's not attached to the house we were unsure what to do with the space but loved the potential of it so decided on it being a games room for the time being and it gets used when people visit.

Have taken the tesco stuff down there this morn and I thought we had been burgled as there is boxes and stuff strewn across the floor and we do keep the side door open so dc can go in when whenever. We have been storing the new Christmas decs and some gifts, panicking thinking someone has gone through the boxes.

I've seen something in the corner wrapped with old bed sheets and old rough looking foam so have gone over and had a look, it's a full size fruit machine. One that you see in a pub.

I had a wtf moment and thought where has this come from. Then thought he has bought it for himself but why without saying anything. It's not useful, we don't need it and there are plenty of things and work that needs doing.

I've gone back to the house to text DH to ask what the hell and I have a message from him saying down go down to the garage as he is storing my Xmas gifts in there.

So am I right in thinking this is my Xmas gift? It is isn't it. He has form for this kind of thing but it got nipped in the bud a few years back after I admired a basketball hoop in a sports shop saying its a shame it's no good for dc as at that age I would of loved one. I ended up with that for Christmas.

In a way it's sweet he does listen but it has happened many years in a row and I had to have a tactful chat with him how I felt I couldn't look at anything without fearing he was going to get it.

I have no interest in fruit machines, never even been on one so why he thought it was a good idea is beyond me. I don't want to come across as ungrateful but I just wanted some nice chocs slippers and pjs this year.

He set a max £200 budget last week. He did simular last year and bought gifts up to the budget and then bought me a MacBook. It was a nice thought but impractical and I had no use for it so it got returned. I felt awful Christmas day that our gifts weren't equal and deciding how to tell him I really didn't need this gift.

Do I speak to him now? Do I tell him I've seen it? I don't think I can fake enthusiasm for this on Christmas Day and he's going to be disappointed.

AIBU to think it's got to go?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

a fruit machine? Wtf

who would want that

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

If you text him saying, what the hell is this fruit machine in the garage, and he text back and said "Don't go in the garage, I'm storing your present in there", than either the fruit machine isn't your present or he knows that you k know, so you can just tell him that you don't want one.

It doesn't have to go, but if you don't want it, it makes sense to return it for something that you do want.

[R0nJ0n]

Wow, that's one of the most bizarre gifts I've ever heard of for someone who's never shown any interest in fruit machines.

I think you have to tell him while he's still got enough time to return it and you something you actually want. Better you get his disappointment out the way now than have to tell him you don't want it on Christmas Day.

[SaucyJack]

Oh God, how awful. I have real sympathy.

Honesty is going to have to be the best policy. Tell him you've already been down to put the shopping away and have seen the monstrosity.

If he genuinely likes it, then maybe he could have it as his Xmas present and you go out and choose your own? Less romantic, but at least then you might get something you actually want.

[wasonthelist]

Crikey! Where does one even buy a fruit machine? Suspect not a trad retailer where you can just take it back.

[Dowser]

It's a boy toy!

[patterkiller]

If it was a donkey kong or pac man I would love it, but a fruit machine???! Tell him you've seen it and to return it.

[Bubbletree4]

Shitting hell. I actually know a man who has a fruit machine. He is the ultimate manchild. I'd be fuming. I suppose it fits with the "games room" theme but omg.

[ChristmasZombie]

Haha! Oh I am sorry, but this has genuinely made me laugh! Probably because it's something I can imagine my DH doing! What's he doing buying a bloody fruit machine?!
I think you're going to have to ask him outright why there's a fruit machine in the garage.

[GabiSolis]

I would have to say something. A fruit machine is bizarre!

[Mrsbattleaxe]

Oh god, I am going to have to talk to him.
I didn't get round to sending him that message, as I saw his and just thought oh crap.

A retro gaming console I could understand more but I'm still wft now.

I have no idea where one gets a fruit machine from.

[Damselindestress]

Ebay. You can get anything from Ebay. Once when I was young and infatuated I bought a boyfriend an old school arcade game. TBF he had shown an interest in them and was happy with it but I cringe looking back. The worst bit was, he still lived with his mum at the time! I hadn't really thought about where he would put it or how he would take it with him when he moved out, it's probably still there! I can't imagine I was popular in that household!

It is a weird present from a grown man to someone who has never expressed an interest in them though, are you sure it's for you? I would have to tell him you'd seen it and ask what's going on! Maybe he can put it back on Ebay?

[WorraLiberty]

My sister bought a fruit machine for her husband (a very much wanted gift though!) years ago.

It was only £50 and you could easily buy them online.

But it was back in the days when nearly every chip shop had a fruit machine and then for some reason (possibly a change in the law??) they all got rid.

[cdtaylornats]

He's hiding it for a friend whose other half wants one but would spoil the surprise.

[expatinscotland]

Tell him point blank, 'I found a fucking fruit machine in the garage. If that's what you got me for Xmas it needs to go back right now. I thought we discussed the shite gifts thing and were over it. How disappointing.'

[CatMilkMan]

Add message | Report | Message poster expatinscotland Fri 27-Nov-15 10:13:39
Tell him point blank, 'I found a fucking fruit machine in the garage. If that's what you got me for Xmas it needs to go back right now. I thought we discussed the shite gifts thing and were over it. How disappointing.'


JESUS CHRIST a bit harsh?

[DeoGratias]

It might have cost hardly anything on Ebay actually if it's an old one.

[expatinscotland]

He has form for this, Cat. She's tried the tactful approach. It got her a fucking fruit machine.

[expatinscotland]

'It might have cost hardly anything on Ebay actually if it's an old one.'

True, but it sounds like one of those gifts that's along the lines of, 'Merry Christmas to me you.'

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

I'm with expat on this. The OP has said she's tried the nice approach and if that's not working she needs to be blunt.

[Damselindestress]

Well calling a gift shite and disappointing would get nothing for Christmas, plus hurt feelings and resentment over the Christmas season. She can be blunt by pointing out she would never use a fruit machine and there isn't space for one without being unnecessarily hurtful.

[Damselindestress]

There is a difference between blunt and rude.

[WorraLiberty]

I do think you need to tell him you've seen it and that you hope it's not for you.

Don't swear or be rude though.

He hasn't kicked a puppy to death.

[expatinscotland]

Yeah, because it's not rude to buy something you know your other half has absolutely no interest in.

'would get nothing for Christmas, plus hurt feelings and resentment over the Christmas season. '

Oh, grow up! He does this all the time. She returned the Mac book already.

There's a really practical way round all this: 'DH/DW, would you let me know what you'd like for Xmas?' if 'fruit machine' isn't on the list, then you don't buy one for them.

My h isn't much of a reader. So, common sense tells me not to buy him books as gifts.

Duh.

[maggieryan]

Ah, in grand scale of things it's not really that bad. My mil had one and loved it and now it's passed on to my kids. It lights up and makes lots of noise and they love it!!. Seriously it's probably not for you and if it is, you have plenty of time to practise a happy surprised face. He sounds like a sweetheart :)