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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be disappointed at big birthday?

153 replies

Sadatbirthdaydis · 19/10/2025 06:09

I recently had a big birthday and I love giving and receiving presents and go all out for everyone else's birthday.

This year I sent my husband links to gifts I'd like so he could pick one because he isn't very good at gift giving and I didn't want to be disappointed.

The day of my birthday came and there was no card or gift or flowers but no big deal we might be going somewhere after work...

My parents arrived with cards and flowers after work and husband just looks confused and it suddenly dawned on him that it's my birthday.

Off to the shop he pops on the pretense of needing milk.

There was meal out yesterday afternoon that seemed very badly planned (not somewhere we'd usually book and not with the usual birthday invite people) with pretty poor service at the restaurant and I just feel really disappointed.

AIBU to leave him in the doghouse for a while or just suck it up that I'm not that important to him.

OP posts:
Bikergran · 19/10/2025 06:17

You've reached a big birthday and he doesn't have form for doing this before? Yes, I agree it feels shit, but some men are just really crap at birthdays. Doesn't mean you're not.important to him, just that he's bad at this. So, don't sulk or put him in the "doghouse", but (as long as he can afford it) either insist on the best of the presents you previously suggested, and/or just brightly say "Since you obviously forgot my big birthday, how about we have a weekend away as a belated celebration?" . No need to add a silly miserable interlude which will make you feel as crap as him, on top of feeling sad already.

GreyChicken · 19/10/2025 06:16

How is the marriage overall?

My DH is an awful gift giver and not an organiser but he's a wonderful man and we're very happy.

He'd never forget though - that's awful!

Has he acknowledged he messed up here?

Ponoka7 · 19/10/2025 06:11

How have you reached 'big birthday' age, yet can't just communicate hiw disappointed you are with him and he needs to do better? It might be time to call it quits.