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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel short changed and resentful?

216 replies

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:45

So originally we were going to my boyfriend’s parents’ for Christmas dinner. I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately they fell out with his brother and therefore made alternative plans (uninvited everyone) and decided to spend it on their own. I therefore hosted the big day at my house for myself, boyfriend and my ds. Just the 3 of us. My boyfriend and myself do not live together and he earns a substantial amount more money than me. We used to earn the exact same but I have recently started a new job. As it was decided we’d have Christmas dinner at my house, I went out and bought all the food and alcohol to see us through Christmas and to the new year. I didn’t go mad, I spent about £100. My problem is that I have had no offer of money towards this and when I asked, he didn’t say or do anything. As it has bugged me since I raised it again yesterday as he said he didn’t want it to become about a whataboutery. In my mind I only think it’s fair we split the cost of this food as not only did I pay for everything, I’m the one who spent Christmas in the kitchen. Originally had plans not changed, his parents were hosting and I would have taken a token gift with me as I never go anywhere empty handed. My bf knows I am short of money. My ds has just finished college and starting working, his first pay cheque is due in January. On top of this and I don’t want to sound petty, my ds’s gf came round to my house in the evening. I had bought chocolates (as well as other gifts) for everyone and when we each opened our chocolates, we offered them around to each other. I brought my son up to do this. We all did this accept my bf. He took chocolates from each of us, but did not even open his. His chocolates were the most expensive out of them all, and the biggest box.

AIBU to feel disappointed and resentful?

OP posts:
ContentedAlpaca · 29/12/2025 11:09

Purplecatshopaholic · 29/12/2025 10:44

You know if he is generally stingy or not op. From what you have said here it sounds like he is. It’s a very unattractive quality. You do sound very transactional in your approach which is also very unattractive, but I can see how you are feeling pushed into feeling like this due to his cheap behaviour. I’d be thinking about ditching this one.

Yes. It sounds like they've got themselves locked into a dynamic that doesn't allow for generosity and I think they'd have to both want to work very hard together to get on a healthier footing.

Purplecatshopaholic · 29/12/2025 10:44

You know if he is generally stingy or not op. From what you have said here it sounds like he is. It’s a very unattractive quality. You do sound very transactional in your approach which is also very unattractive, but I can see how you are feeling pushed into feeling like this due to his cheap behaviour. I’d be thinking about ditching this one.

WhateverTarrance · 29/12/2025 10:38

Sorry op but I wouldn't share my Christmas Present Chocolates either. Unless I don't like them.

But I think your boyfriend could have chipped in with the foid shopping or helping cooking it.

honeybeey · 29/12/2025 10:38

I couldn’t be in a relationship where things were counted. What happens when you live together? Are you going to add up who’s eaten what and ask for the money for his portion of chicken he consumed for Sunday roast?
He’s already said he doesn’t want whataboutery and you obviously do so it’s clear you are unsuitable for each other.
I would hate that in my marriage and be very miserable so let him find someone who doesn’t keep check on when he opens his chocolate and what food he eats/drinks before he is utterly miserable and your on here accusing him of being moody, frustrated and irritable and texting more chilled out other women.
And you can go find a man who point scores and keeps a tally but you may find him a bit controlling.

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 29/12/2025 10:34

Sounds like BF is unable to recognise basic social cues and needs to be parented - which will make him a selfish, unreliable and not fully adult partner in a relationship. He sounds to me as though he’s stuck at the developmental stage of a 13 year old boy, for whatever reason.

The normal thing to do in the Xmas circumstances would have been to go shopping together, or at least ask what part of the meal he should have provided.

Not helping with the cooking suggests he assumes he will be cared for -‘parented’- and does not recognise the responsible, adult, participatory role he is called on to play as an adult in a relationship.

Not having oven shelves suggests he doesn’t look after himself & doesn’t see the need to.

Keeping his box of chocs unopened while everyone else offered theirs is failing to see & react to a really obvious social cue.

The unreliability about the mattress suggests he does not understand that people will remember & rely on what he says. The rudeness about it (the cat comment) suggests lack of maturity. Really not an adult’s response - this is a 13 year old’s comment.

The grandiose promises about the future without any serious planning similarly sound like something a young teen or child would say - without any real thought or detail - without realising in the adult world this will lead to reliance.

The framing of the hot chocolate as a ‘treat’ is childlike & not something you’d expect in an adult relationship.

I would say there is something more significant going on here, about his social & emotional capacity & development, & that unless he’s willing to address his difficulty with social cues, & immaturity, and unless you are willing to take on the (possibly very unrewarding) task of helping him do so, it’s time to end things.

And the idea that ‘love keeps no score’- the mantra of abusive & exploitative men everywhere. Don’t fall for that crap 🤢.

FeistyFrankie · 29/12/2025 10:33

LancashireButterPie · 29/12/2025 07:56

Love keeps no scores.
I think if you really loved him you'd stop counting. You sound quite transactional and arbitrary, stop giving things and then becoming aggrieved when people take them.

Oh, please. What garbage.

OP he sounds stingy. Not a good quality for a partner to have. It was very generous of you to step in and host at the last minute. So for that along, yes, he absolutely should have offered to pay a contribution.

What is he like with money in general? Is this part of a pattern?

Whowhenwhat · 29/12/2025 10:25

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 08:27

We have always gone 50/50 as I have always wanted to be seen as independent and am not a freeloader.

I lost my last job (after a 6 month period of sicknessI) and have found this financially difficult. I supported myself while not working and have been completely honest about my financial struggles and medical conditions with my bf. As a result of my financial constraints we have done less and not gone out as much. He has cut his cloth to match mine which is resulting in him being able to save more money.

he talks about the future and him having big plans for us and that I won’t need to worry about money. He has said this a few times.

Last September I got a new mattress which he said he’d pay half towards but never has. I’m worried he says things but doesn’t follow through. I reminded him what he’d said about the mattress (over a year ago) and his response was - had I asked my cat to contribute?

I’ve been very generous but now I have to watch every penny.

We went for a long walk the other day and he bought me a hot chocolate and said it was a treat. It was very nice but I have to be honest it grated on me as obviously I’d bought all the food and the last time we’d had hot chocolates there, I paid so it was more like ‘his round’.

I asked him to bring wine (to have with the Christmas dinner) and some lemons if passing a shop as I forgotten them.

What on earth is attractive about him? Get rid. He's costing you money

HipHopDontYouStop · 29/12/2025 10:15

Is he generally stingy?

Katflapkit · 29/12/2025 10:13

LancashireButterPie · 29/12/2025 07:56

Love keeps no scores.
I think if you really loved him you'd stop counting. You sound quite transactional and arbitrary, stop giving things and then becoming aggrieved when people take them.

Sometimes you have to keep score when you are short of funds. OP stepped up at the last minute, the boyfriend should have ordered to share the cost.

Not joining in an opening his chocolates along with everyone else makes him a bit of a party pooper. Is he usually that anti social?

HRTQueen · 29/12/2025 10:10

He has shown you he is stingy don’t ignore

it’s so unattractive, an ex of mine was like this I stupidly ignored it at first until it became an issue

either you accept he is stingy and are ok with it or you are not and it’s time to move on

Oneforallandallforone · 29/12/2025 10:06

How much were you planning to contribute to your SIL’s food bill if she had gone ahead and hosted?

caramac04 · 29/12/2025 10:05

As you’re a couple I would expect him to contribute; especially in the circumstances you describe.
He’s either very stingy, not very bright or just thoughtless.
I don’t think much of his parents cancelling due to their argument with another relative. That sounds dysfunctional and maybe your bf is too.

SBGM247 · 29/12/2025 10:05

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:45

So originally we were going to my boyfriend’s parents’ for Christmas dinner. I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately they fell out with his brother and therefore made alternative plans (uninvited everyone) and decided to spend it on their own. I therefore hosted the big day at my house for myself, boyfriend and my ds. Just the 3 of us. My boyfriend and myself do not live together and he earns a substantial amount more money than me. We used to earn the exact same but I have recently started a new job. As it was decided we’d have Christmas dinner at my house, I went out and bought all the food and alcohol to see us through Christmas and to the new year. I didn’t go mad, I spent about £100. My problem is that I have had no offer of money towards this and when I asked, he didn’t say or do anything. As it has bugged me since I raised it again yesterday as he said he didn’t want it to become about a whataboutery. In my mind I only think it’s fair we split the cost of this food as not only did I pay for everything, I’m the one who spent Christmas in the kitchen. Originally had plans not changed, his parents were hosting and I would have taken a token gift with me as I never go anywhere empty handed. My bf knows I am short of money. My ds has just finished college and starting working, his first pay cheque is due in January. On top of this and I don’t want to sound petty, my ds’s gf came round to my house in the evening. I had bought chocolates (as well as other gifts) for everyone and when we each opened our chocolates, we offered them around to each other. I brought my son up to do this. We all did this accept my bf. He took chocolates from each of us, but did not even open his. His chocolates were the most expensive out of them all, and the biggest box.

AIBU to feel disappointed and resentful?

@SantaHatCat have you tried being direct? For example, “I want you to pay £50 towards the Christmas dinner. The total was £100. I’m happy to pay half too. Would you have any objections to that?”

In my example I am direct. I’m expressing objective outcomes that resolve the matter. And at the end I’m asking if he has any objections. You’ll find that this:

• Signals this is a proposal, not a rant
• Flushes out the real blocker
• Preserves agency without surrendering control
• Narrows the response space
• Keeps the position reasonable if it goes further

As a Man, this would land very well with me.

Fellontheground · 29/12/2025 10:03

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:56

It was decided I’d host as my bf has no shelves in his oven (so can’t cook turkey or roasties) and as my ds still lives at home we’d stay at mine.

Edited

No shelves in his oven? That’s a red flag right there. How does he cook? Is he generally a bit useless?

Slightyamusedandsilly · 29/12/2025 10:02

Newnamehiwhodis · 29/12/2025 07:57

People are insane if they think this is acceptable.

Agree. And the boyfriend sounds like a user.

If I knew my partner was short of money and had gone out of their way/budget to provide a lovely meal, at the very least I'd arrive laden with alcohol, chocs, mince pies etc. If not, I'd discretely bung them £40.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 29/12/2025 10:02

I hate to say it, but I think he's future-faking you, OP.

And the fact that his parents ruined a LOT of people's Christmasses just because they'd fallen out with his brother (why not just disinvite him?) means that it seems he comes from a bit of a train-wreck of a family. Do you even know for certain that he's got no shelves for his oven? Because you can usually improvise something, if you really want to.

zipadeedodah · 29/12/2025 10:00

What did he get you for christmas?

scotlands · 29/12/2025 09:58

He should have offered to pay, however…

when you were invited to boyfriend’s parents, you intended to bring a token gift. You didn’t offer to contribute to the cost.

so when the tables were turned and you had to host instead, by the same reasoning, you should expect guests to bring a token gift.

DahlsChickenz · 29/12/2025 09:57

He's a cheapskate. Would completely put me off

zipadeedodah · 29/12/2025 09:57

What did he buy you for christmas

ContentedAlpaca · 29/12/2025 09:56

I think there are even wider questions around this. His relationship to his parents and what his values are. Whether he is able to be consistent in his relationship with you.
I can't imagine a situation where a family would cancel like that, let everyone down, have a Christmas as the one that goes down in memory as the one where everyone fell out etc. That seems volatile, inconsistent, odd and a bit sulky to me, but there may be more to it?

Is that a regular pattern with his family? Because I think you need some conversations around your own values and priorities as a couple/family unit.

PersephonePomegranate · 29/12/2025 09:52

Presumably, you invited him to spend Christmas with you and your son?

You don't live together as a family, so I'm guessing your bf took this an invitation - I wouldn't assume I'd need to pay either, just bring a bottle of something or whatever. If you needed him to contribute, you should have said.

The chocolate thing is so nitpicky - are you sure you haven't just gone off him and are looking for reasons to dump him?

BlackCat14 · 29/12/2025 09:50

I don’t think you can be annoyed that he didn’t open his chocolates when everyone else did. Maybe he was full and didn’t fancy one? You can’t expect him to open them just because everyone else did. And the fact that his were the most expensive is irrelevant. That’s not his fault, you chose to do that.

As for the food and payment. Hmm. You say when you asked him for some money, he said nothing. Did he literally just blank you? Then what?
You bought enough food for Christmas Day and then the run up to new year. Did you discuss it with him at all beforehand? You went out and chose all the food, and only asked for money afterwards. Perhaps a conversation beforehand would’ve been beneficial. “Hey boyfriend, I’m going to do a big shop today for all the food that we’ll need over the next few days, now that we aren’t going to your family. Is there anything you’d like in particular? Do you want to come and pick things me? Are we okay splitting the cost, it might be pricey?”
Ultimately though, I do think he has been stingy. I can’t believe you asked him for a contribution and he ignored you! Next time he wants you to put your hand in your pocket cut something, remind him of this.

ContentedAlpaca · 29/12/2025 09:43

I can see two separate issues.
You are short of money. Christmas dinner was an unexpected expense and a contribution will make the end of the month much less financially stressful for you.
I don't think it's about what people normally do or should do. We all have different priorities and expectations because we're different people bringing difference good and bad experiences and beliefs into the mix, so I would keep that out of it. The crux of it is that you are struggling now and need some help. If your partner had the capacity to help I would hope he would not watch you struggle.

The other is about expectations. There are various of those discussed on this thread. Some people think if you host, you pay. Some people think 50/50 is the way to go and there's every shade of grey in-between.
Is your partner generally tight? It often surprises me when one person insists on having the money for the coffee they bought given back to the exact penny. Will he get the coffees in if he's the first to the counter in a cafe or does he hang back?

The chocolates were a gift. Your families expectation is that you open them then and there and share. If I was given chocolate as a gift, I would open them in my own time because I wouldn't be in a rush to consume them and they only keep for so long once unsealed. I don't think anyone is right or wrong here. I'm your own little family when everyone knows the rules, has been brought up with them and is onboard with them then expectations are a lot clearer. When your son gets a partner it may be refreshing to him not to have to open a gift immediately and share it out. I do think these situations needs a bit of grace and flexibility rather than black and white thinking.

Cardinalita90 · 29/12/2025 09:38

It's easy for him to say he doesn't want a relationship to become "whataboutery" when it's the other person covering costs!

How was he before this? Being devil's advocate could he be feeling like he's picked up a lot of the tab while you were ill / out of work? You need another conversation really. Although if you don't live together, I wouldn't expect him to contribute to your new mattress even if he offered.

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