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AIBU?

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First anniversary - mismatch in effort

158 replies

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 18:39

DP and I have our first anniversary in a week. Today he told me that he will not have the money or time to "splash out" on our first anniversary.

I have had a gift sorted for many months - a homemade gift that involved many hours of time and effort (and yes, money, too) that I am trying to get finished in time for next week. He knows about this gift as we have had a traumatic event a few months back and I shared with him what I was working on to cheer us up. He knows when our anniversary is as we will go back to the place we first met at.

I asked him what his plans were before his money concerns and he said a taxi there and back and a little something (he won't tell me what, to save it for the next one). I told him I was disappointed. Not because of the monetary value, but because I expected some thought and effort that wasn't being left until the last minute.

We're both busy and in demanding jobs. We both have had things on full time the last few weeks. But he knew this was coming. He knew how much effort I was putting in. Normally, he is very thoughtful. He also has money (in savings), but his everyday spends are run down this month. Money wouldn't have mattered either way, but I feel like he's setting me up for a bunch of generic flowers if I'm lucky. We have a great relationship otherwise.

It's not about money, but about lack of thought. I told him that much and am quite disappointed. AIBU?

Yes, YABU - Gifts don't matter, even when effort is clearly and knowingly mismatched.
No, YANBU - He knew this was coming and what you put in. He should have got his arse in gear earlier.

OP posts:
ClaredeBear · 14/06/2026 19:43

We barely remember our wedding anniversary, so I’m a bit surprised at this gift you’ve been planning for many months as a year together really isn’t that long. I think at this stage in your relationship his priorities are valid. You might be putting a lot of unwanted pressure on him.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 14/06/2026 19:38

No money, fine

no time????? I'd dump him for that sorry

Well i'd also dump him for having no money but thats neither here or there 😭

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 14/06/2026 19:37

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 19:15

I would. Only I know he will definitely have no time to pull something together over the next week between his work and evening commitments. So if he hasn't already sorted it, he is stuffed in that regard.

“Stuffed” as in you’ll dump him if he doesn’t celebrate you to your expectations?
what are your expectations? I’m now picturing a Glee-esque “just the way you are” public sign out.. you said he accepts you the way you are, but do you accept him the way he is?

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 19:34

I love this. I really do.

Where has the quote gone? I was quoting @IsItTheBlackOneOrTheRedOne

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 14/06/2026 19:32

Yes YABU @Skethylita

Duckswaddle · 14/06/2026 19:32

What a load of shit 🤣

Notonthestairs · 14/06/2026 19:31

This isn’t a feminist issue.
It’s you planning a more elaborate gift than the occasion required issue.

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 19:26

When women should raise the bar?

OP posts:
CoCoJones26 · 14/06/2026 19:26

Sorry, voted " not unreasonable" before realizing you're only " celebrating" a year of being together and not an actual wedding anniversary! In that case, you're being super unreasonable...lower your expectations.

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 19:25

How can anyone be expected to match this?

Match it? Perhaps not. But make a bit more of an effort than telling me a week before he's basically got no time or money to sort anything? I have higher expectations than that.

Especially since he was the one who raised the expectations in the first place. And since this is out of character for him.

Every year on here we get women who are disappointed at Christmas/ birthdays/ mother's days etc. by the lack of thought and effort their partners put in compared to the effort they themselves put in. This really is not different.

OP posts:
trotterstrot · 14/06/2026 19:23

Jesus Christ

makemineadecaf · 14/06/2026 19:23

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 18:51

It is in ours, which is moving very fast in terms of commitment. Which I won't debate here. The relationship is perfect otherwise and he is normally a very thoughtful man.

Part of me is hoping he is trying to set me up for disappointment only to actually show some thought later on. He did similar for my birthday a few months in. But this time - I don't know why - it feels so much more sincere.

You’re not married so first anniversary of what? How old are you both?

MandingoAteMyBaby · 14/06/2026 19:22

You sound high maintenance

Smartiepants79 · 14/06/2026 19:21

You have massively over invested. There is no way he can match up and please don’t waste any time or emotion on ‘hoping’ he’s making it up to ‘surprise’ you.
If this man is a good man. Kind, caring, thoughtful and supportive then I feel you are being hugely unfair. Long term relationships should never be about the short term, flashy, gestures. But about the day to day caring, love and support.
Please be think about your priorities.
And nice gifts shouldn’t be made in expectation of getting stuff back.
The thing you’ve made, it was to show your love. Not so you could guilt him into doing similar.

toomuchfaff · 14/06/2026 19:21

2026newname · 14/06/2026 19:10

It’s not a “spouse” because they aren’t married.

my bad, realised after I posted!

hamse · 14/06/2026 19:20

Yes, we discussed this anniversary for a while. It is significant in many ways that I won't go into here, but we've both come a long way from where we were a year back. Not in terms of the relationship (which has always been strong), but all the things surrounding our lives
Suffice to say we're no spring chickens. My gift involves a record of our journey that I started a few months in. Imagine a fully edited film involving all the videos of our travels across the world and the part of the world we eventually settled in. Something that takes equipment and editing and therefore a lot of time, money and effort

Completely over the top and far too intense. How can anyone be expected to match this?

I hope he's not like me because I'd be off like a shot if someone was doing that for me for a first anniversary of being together. It's not like you're even married.
It's got red flags all over it.

Notonthestairs · 14/06/2026 19:19

So there is a mismatch of effort - and you are assuming you are in the right and he’s in the wrong.

As you say he can’t correct it, so you’ll either have to accept you’ve both taken a difference emphasis on a year together and go about your life OR decide this means something more.

Of everything else is good, I’d go for the former.

TheContoursALittleMisunderstandingNsoul · 14/06/2026 19:19

lordbaddingham · 14/06/2026 19:07

It all sounds a bit much for a year with a partner OP. I think your expectations may be a bit unreasonable. I'm 46 and I don't think I've celebrated a year of dating anyone since my first boyfriend when we were 17.

That was my thoughts,it's what teens do/used to do
I re doing this at 16..40+years ago

Geranium1984 · 14/06/2026 19:18

Is this first wedding anniversary or first yesr dating?

I have never celebrated a '1 year' dating anniversary with anyone. Ive never known the date or looked back to see when a first date was.
My husband and I do small gifts on our wedding anniversary, sometimes more effort and thought than others depending on how hectic life is at the time.
Is the card that matters the most to both of us.

Take a look at 'love languages', you might find you have different ways of showing and feeling loved. Luckily gifts is not one of mine or my husbands!

IsItTheBlackOneOrTheRedOne · 14/06/2026 19:18

We have been married 9 years and the anniversary was last week. I forgot and so did he until the following day. I actually think the day we met is more meaningful in some ways, but you are making way too much of it. Why not just pick a flower, pour a glass and toast each other? If you are secure and happy it shouldn’t matter x

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 19:15

Pieceofpurplesky · 14/06/2026 19:13

It's not even until next week is it? Give him a chance!

I would. Only I know he will definitely have no time to pull something together over the next week between his work and evening commitments. So if he hasn't already sorted it, he is stuffed in that regard.

OP posts:
Pieceofpurplesky · 14/06/2026 19:13

It's not even until next week is it? Give him a chance!

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 19:13

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 19:12

Good thing neither of us do social media other than my occasional engagement in this forum 😂

Oh it wasn't aimed at you - it's just what I always think when I see it online!

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 19:12

Arlanymor · 14/06/2026 19:09

And when they gush over each other on social media and you think to yourself: "Far more meaningful when said IRL and kept between yourselves."

Good thing neither of us do social media other than my occasional engagement in this forum 😂

OP posts:
2026newname · 14/06/2026 19:10

toomuchfaff · 14/06/2026 19:00

It is if it means something to your spouse.

Who are you to say its not a significant milestone?

It’s not a “spouse” because they aren’t married.