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Original poster

To feel slightly put out by DH's lovely surprise?

520 replies

GinIsABreakfastFood · 24/12/2015 07:41

Ok, firstly I want to clarify I did not look for my present on purpose! Xmas Blush

Basically DH and I agreed that we would only do tiny token presents this year so that we can have a mega holiday later on. We agreed a set limit, which I found a huge struggle as I bloody love giving presents and spoiling people, and have spent the past few months trying frantically to pick up lovely, thoughtful little bits and pieces within the £20 limit.

Was feeling quite pleased with myself until.... Was packing to leave for family for Christmas and noticed his smart work coat which he won't need was a bit grubby so thought I'd leave it with the dry cleaners so it's fresh for next year, and found a mega expensive piece of beautiful jewellery hidden in the pocket.

DSis has helpfully pointed out that this happens in Love Actually and it turns out the husband has bought the gift for his mistress.... Hmm

Pretty sure it is for me, thanks, Dsis, and it's lovely, but soooo not what we agreed.

We have got to leave in the next 20 mins to drive to remote Scotland for massive family Christmas so no time to get him anything else to even the balance. Which means that when we open presents in Christmas morning, in front of about 30 people, I will get Tiffany diamond earrings, and he will get socks and a robot bath bomb. AIBU to feel absolutely mortified, a bit cross, and completely love my darling DH for the beautiful surprise, but also a bit want to kill him?!

Should I just buy £500 worth of petrol station tat at at the services on the way there?! Pretend I forgot his main present at home and lie about what it is?!

HELP!!

OP posts:
stardusty5 · 24/12/2015 13:07

He will get more happiness out of seeing your face when you open the than he would from an expensive gift. It's a shame you've found them too soon- act surprised!

I've massively blown the budget for DH this year but i've known what i was going to get him for months. I cannot wait for him to open it and care not a jot about my gifts, (most of which i bought myself and gave to my mum and sister to wrap Hmm)

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 24/12/2015 13:06

Goodness me, all this shameless place marking is terrible...

MrsDallowaySaid · 24/12/2015 13:06

My DH reckons take it in the spirit intended.... A lovely surprise. And also says a blow job is never unwelcome Grin

LineyReborn · 24/12/2015 13:00

Huge mark up on diamonds maybe. Like with engagement rings. They're worth about a third what you paid for them the minute you start to leave the shop.

Wagglebees · 24/12/2015 12:57

Why hasn't he wrapped it?

Lweji · 24/12/2015 12:56

Has silver gone up in price or is there a huge mark up for Tiffany's?

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 24/12/2015 12:56

I really hope he has been over-generous and they are for you, OP, but I really want to know that they are too, so hope you update tomorrow! Xmas Grin

Goingtobeawesome · 24/12/2015 12:53

Accept as you would if you'd spent the same. He has chosen to do this. If you only feel bad because you are embarrassed you didn't there is no need. DH and I never have a budget, I tend to buy DH more things to open but last year he bought me an iPad so I'm not complaining. I got nothing really as a child so the twenty years I've had presents from DH have been lovely.

Whatthefoxgoingon · 24/12/2015 12:53

I really want to know what it is, please tell us tomorrow! I'd just enjoy it and not fret.

MrsCampbellBlack · 24/12/2015 12:51

Silver stuff in tiffanys isn't always that expensive. You can get a charm for £60 here

So I wouldn't panic buy for him or assume that it is diamond earrings.

greenfolder · 24/12/2015 12:46

Don't feel guilty. It will ruin the whole point of it. You agreed the budget. He wants to utterly spoil you. Presumably he has the funds and will still do holiday. Don't ruin it by trying to even up last minute. Smile and say thank you. Be grateful

Straycatblue · 24/12/2015 12:44

Redtinsel
If you're heading north then offer to buy him lunch at Tebay services. That should be about £500

Grin
HippyChickMama · 24/12/2015 12:42

Dh did this to me two years ago. We'd set a £50 limit for a stocking each which he did. Then at dinner we pulled our crackers and mine had an eternity ring in that he'd had made with diamonds and the dcs birthstone (both August). It was lovely but I felt bad that I'd only stuck to the limit for his presents!

Iamnotloobrushphobic · 24/12/2015 12:41

I think the gift is for OP. If it was for a mistress he probably would have given the gift before going to Scotland for Christmas.

TeaStory · 24/12/2015 12:38

Maybe it's got a robot-shaped soap in it?

areyoubeingserviced · 24/12/2015 12:34

Just hope it is for you.......

00100001 · 24/12/2015 12:31

I don't understand how you know it's "a mega expensive piece of beautiful jewellery" as you haven't opened the box Confused

All you know, is there is a jewellery box in your husband's work coat.

it could;
Be empty
Have cheap jewellery in
Have something else inside
be a gift from someone to him (e.g. cufflinks)
A gift to anybody (his mum for example)

00100001 · 24/12/2015 12:26

place marking for update

Maybe, as you didn't open the box, there is not a £500 gift in there. Maybe it's a 'decoy'?

imjustahead · 24/12/2015 12:26

placemarking

LineyReborn · 24/12/2015 12:24

Redtinsel not including drinks.

Redtinsel · 24/12/2015 12:22

If you're heading north then offer to buy him lunch at Tebay services. That should be about £500

frenchfancy81 · 24/12/2015 12:16

I hope they're lovely and for you, of course! If he's bought them, he wanted to do something nice for you so accept them with a big grin! To those saying Tiffany's is poor quality, it's also a brand many non-jewellery experts would go to for a special gift- that loads of people would love to receive. No need for the 'sneeriness'!

Ginkypig · 24/12/2015 12:09

Place marking

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 24/12/2015 11:59

OP Is your husband much of a joker?

One of the novelty websites had novelty gifts in fake Tiffany boxes this year, a colleague bought one for his mum. It had a nice enough bracelet in it, but the bracelet was clearly something cheap (I think the whole thing cost £22) and he didn't seem to get that giving it in a Tiffany box made it seem a bit mean, rather than funny and thoughtful! He really believed he was adding "a touch of Tiffany's" to her Christmas.

I think he convinced him not to give it to her...

I hope it's real, though, and I wouldn't panic-buy something else. Be gracious and thankful, and appreciate them. He won't be expecting anything big in return and if you present something over-budget, he'll clock that you knew somehow.

Dickbumdick · 24/12/2015 11:49

I wouldn't bother trying to buy anything, a blowjob is a great last minute gift GrinGrinGrin Happy Christmas!