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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Meal prepping dinners as a Valentine’s gift? Am I overthinking this?

28 replies

Poxi · 13/02/2026 15:43

I decided I was going to meal prep some healthy meals that my partner can freeze. Along with some sweet treats ie cookie dough. He’s sitting very intense exams for work right now so thought it was nice. He’s living off crap food right now when I don’t cook for him. He’s literally studying a working for 16-18 hours.

I don’t know there’s something about it that just gives me the ick. Partner is a very good cook and hasn’t asked for this. Am I being weird? I don’t know it’s just making me feel like his mum. Partner is not one of those loser men that can’t take care of himself in fact he does a very good job of it and his flat is immaculate and very well organised.

I think he would appreciate it but I don’t know why I’ve started to be really put off by the idea. Am I just overthinking this?

i think im just put off by the dynamic it would establish. But then again its just doing a nice thing which would be appreciated so i think im just being very weird and overthinking it

OP posts:
Poxi · 13/02/2026 15:53

Freshcoffeeonly · 13/02/2026 15:46

Why don’t you post what you are planning to do (including recipes) as a Valentines gift for us all. Because I would bloody love someone to do it for me.

Nothing special I planned to make:

  • spinach and chickpea curry
  • fish pie (good food recipe for cheese sauce plus leeks and fish pie mix)
  • chicken pot pie (Wolfgang Puck’s recipe - very easy. Recommend using frozen veg to save time)
  • lasagna
  • tomato soup (Davina McCall’s recipe - love it with roasted red pepper)
  • cookie dough

We’re seeing each other on Sunday and I’m supposed to be going to the shops now but just thinking I might not do this

OP posts:
newornotnew · 13/02/2026 15:46

Maybe it's because it isn't very Valentine's-y?

I think it's a great gesture, very supportive, but maybe that gesture and the occasion don't quite match.

Freshcoffeeonly · 13/02/2026 15:46

Why don’t you post what you are planning to do (including recipes) as a Valentines gift for us all. Because I would bloody love someone to do it for me.