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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be a bit disappointed with my birthday present?

67 replies

MinesaBottle · 03/03/2025 21:03

I know I probably am. But anyway - my birthday was recently and weeks before I asked my husband quite specifically for an artwork I like (as in, a print of it), framed. He seemed to have understood and (probably stupidly) I was so looking forward to receiving this and thinking where I’d put it etc. Also we’re trying not to spend much at the moment so this would have been good as it didn’t cost much.

Anyway on the day he got me an experience at a spa - which is wonderful in so many ways - but isn’t what I asked for and cost way more. Obviously I haven’t told him how disappointed I was that I didn’t get the gift I’d set my heart on, and I know he thought he was doing something lovely, which he was of course! AIBU to feel a bit annoyed and let down but also like I’m being really ungrateful? He’s a lovely lovely person but not always the greatest with presents!

OP posts:
BlondiePortz · 03/03/2025 21:27

MinesaBottle · 03/03/2025 21:24

Sometimes it’s nice to feel like you’ve been listened to and given something the giver knows you’d love. I’m not a massive spa person - not that I won’t enjoy it though.

I hate spas myself but if someone wants to go down the line of telling a person to only buy them a specific thing it doesnt really show the other person knows them that well in the first place

Chuchoter · 03/03/2025 21:25

I would have thought that he didn't like the artwork so rather than tell you it was bloody awful in his opinion, he got you something else?🤷🏼‍♀️

MinesaBottle · 03/03/2025 21:24

BlondiePortz · 03/03/2025 21:19

If I am that set on a specific thing I buy it myself, I really dont see the point of 'here is the specific details of this exact thing so you need to buy it for me so I can say you got it for my birthday' just buy what you want, and yes my husband does the same for himself as I do

Sometimes it’s nice to feel like you’ve been listened to and given something the giver knows you’d love. I’m not a massive spa person - not that I won’t enjoy it though.

OP posts:
Crazykefir · 03/03/2025 21:21

Just drop some massive hints next time. Tbh these spa experiences tend to be overpriced.

Strictly1 · 03/03/2025 21:19

Did he think you had deliberately chosen something cheaper and he wanted to spoil you?

BlondiePortz · 03/03/2025 21:19

MinesaBottle · 03/03/2025 21:15

Yeah he did think he was getting something better for me, which is why I will never ever let on I was disappointed! I don’t really understand why, if someone asks you what you’d like or you tell them what you’d like, if it’s reasonable, they wouldn’t just get you that. I will enjoy it of course and he’ll never know I was sad about not getting what I asked for, but hey ho, I’ll get it myself.

If I am that set on a specific thing I buy it myself, I really dont see the point of 'here is the specific details of this exact thing so you need to buy it for me so I can say you got it for my birthday' just buy what you want, and yes my husband does the same for himself as I do

MinesaBottle · 03/03/2025 21:15

Yeah he did think he was getting something better for me, which is why I will never ever let on I was disappointed! I don’t really understand why, if someone asks you what you’d like or you tell them what you’d like, if it’s reasonable, they wouldn’t just get you that. I will enjoy it of course and he’ll never know I was sad about not getting what I asked for, but hey ho, I’ll get it myself.

OP posts:
Mintearo7 · 03/03/2025 21:14

Is there a possibility that he forgot to order it in time, so had to resort to an online voucher? Just ask him why he didn’t get what you asked so you can sort those hurdles out for the future.

Tourmalines · 03/03/2025 21:13

Seeming to understand is not the same as he fully understood. Miscommunication. Anyway , Yabu, he got you something . You even said he’s not good at presents . But that was a nice one .

TomatoSandwiches · 03/03/2025 21:12

YANBU, how much easier can you make gift giving?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/03/2025 21:10

He probably thought he was doing a really nice thing and getting something more ‘special’ for you.

IlooklikeNigella · 03/03/2025 21:09

Sorry OP yabu. Enjoy the spa day.

RedHelenB · 03/03/2025 21:09

Yabu, it's not as though he got you nothing

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 03/03/2025 21:08

YANBU. It is a bit lazy and arrogant. You specifically told him what you wanted and he either thought he knew better or didn't care enough to remember.

An actual present you can cherish forever is very different to an experience gone in a weekend.

I would be very disappointed also.
I feel like PP saying to buy it yourself are kind of missing the point. You CAN buy it yourself, sure... But you had a whole conversation with him about it. And it's not even like you were wanting him to spend more money on the art than the weekend cost.

MinesaBottle · 03/03/2025 21:07

I guess I’ll have to.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/03/2025 21:07

goneaway2 · 03/03/2025 21:06

Just buy it yourself.

This.

goneaway2 · 03/03/2025 21:06

Just buy it yourself.

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