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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:
AnonymityAnonymity · 14/06/2026 18:52

I'm not trying to nit pick but if you aren't married or engaged what exactly is this First Anniversary? I would be hard pressed to remember dates that weren't marked by an event like an official engagement or marriage and I would think it very strange to expect a fuss or present over anniversary of first meeting or first date.

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 18:51

2026newname · 14/06/2026 18:47

It just seems like a lot of fuss for a year. It’s really not a significant milestone in a relationship.

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.

OP posts:
CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 14/06/2026 18:50

Sounds like you just have different ideas and expectations for these sorts of things. Try and have a discussion about events in general - anniversaries, Christmas, birthdays etc.
we discussed it early on and were both on the same page - neither of us likes a fuss and keep things very minimal. I’d struggle if one of us wanted something quite different to the other.
neither of you are being inherently unreasonable, but you have different views.

RaininSummer · 14/06/2026 18:50

Isn't first anniversary represented by paper? A small effort would t cost much at all like a lovely notebook (or a fifty pound note). He is a thoughtless bugger since her knee you were making an effort.

completelylostagain · 14/06/2026 18:50

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 18:48

When I told him I was disappointed all I got back was that he has just got the time, with things going on at the moment, and that he will have to spend his money on the things that are currently breaking in his house. Like he is making excuses, when this could have been sorted a while ago.

Sounds like he is being practical not emotional. Sounds fine to me, but I’m not arsed about showy shit for anniversaries. How the marriage is going is far more important than this one thing. Focus on that.

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 18:48

When I told him I was disappointed all I got back was that he has just got the time, with things going on at the moment, and that he will have to spend his money on the things that are currently breaking in his house. Like he is making excuses, when this could have been sorted a while ago.

OP posts:
2026newname · 14/06/2026 18:47

It just seems like a lot of fuss for a year. It’s really not a significant milestone in a relationship.

OtterlyMad · 14/06/2026 18:44

You have every right to expect a bit of thought/effort. Your anniversary is not a surprise - he should have planned better! If I were in his shoes I would be dipping into my savings and then paying myself back after the next payday.