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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:
Samaritan1 · 25/12/2015 09:14

Sorry, top sentence should have been bold - quoted from another post.

Anyway, I'm on tenterhooks here! GrinGrinGrin

Samaritan1 · 25/12/2015 09:13

Why did you say you bought socks and a bath bomb if you didn't?

She just meant she bought something generic and boring - something bog standard. Not meant literally.

StDogolphin · 25/12/2015 09:08

Maybe he got the box from his sister and it does have paperclips in!

Finola1step · 25/12/2015 09:07

Waiting for an update ....

Lovelilies2 · 25/12/2015 09:06

Come on, open the presents!!

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 25/12/2015 09:01

Not to mention snobby

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 25/12/2015 09:00

The post that stood out for me on this thread was the person saying "Tiffany stuff is shit. Maybe you were a bad wife".

What a nasty bitchy post.

ExasperatedAlmostAlways · 25/12/2015 08:59

Just checking in 😂

Thundercrackers · 25/12/2015 08:58

This is weird. So, you saw the box, know it's Tiffany and know it's diamond earrings without opening it? Are you sure it's the real deal? I got a perfectly lovely fake Tiffany necklace from a kid in my class this Christmas- it came in a v convincing box and had a ribbon and everything, but probs cost a fiver. So he may yet be staying within budget but just be trying to be lovely.

Lweji · 25/12/2015 08:38

ET's best friend was that weird kid with the big ears. You know, Elliot. Who helped him phone home.

Just saying.

Lweji · 25/12/2015 08:36

Maybe the box is the gift and will have a reference to Breakfast at Tiffany's for your trip to NY.

PrizeyPrize · 25/12/2015 08:35

Merry placemaking Christmas to one and all 🎅🎅🏻🎅🏼🎅🏽🎅🏾🎅🏿

Italianmoma1983 · 25/12/2015 08:27

Merry Christmas everyone and definitely not place marking at all 😁

derxa · 25/12/2015 08:21

Just act all surprised! Merry Christmas

elephantfeet · 25/12/2015 08:14

Definitely not place marking [santa]

LMonkey · 25/12/2015 08:08

Sorry only just seen this thread so probably a a bit late for suggestions but could you say to him "you did stick to the £20 limit didn't you? As i'd be so embarrassed in front of everyone if you didn't". Then maybe open your presents to eachother in private??

Rememberallball · 25/12/2015 08:07

Wasn't LN's departed wife ETs best friend?

Iwonderwhy123 · 25/12/2015 07:57

Merry Christmas OP! Whatever gift is inside the box be thankful and know that your DH has done a lovely thing by getting you a special gift. Eat drink and be merry!!

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 25/12/2015 07:41

Karen (ET)'s brother is the PM (Hugh Grant). Not Liam Neeson.

LilaTheTiger · 25/12/2015 07:39

On the subject of Love Actually sorry OP it's come out recently that Liam Neeson's character was possibly in love with Emma Thompson's character all along too

I don't understand how they are not brother and sister... She says 'my brother', doesn't she? Hmm

and that's how you placemark like a pro

JoMalones · 25/12/2015 07:29

Merry Christmas OP!

Lulooo · 25/12/2015 07:29

Just to add that I wouldn't feel guilty if DH gave me a gift that was 30 times what I'd gotten him. He loves giving me gifts and it there's something so sincere and selfless about giving a gift without expecting anything in return. In fact, if I was the one giving an expensive surprise gift then I'd be a bit dissapointed if my OH felt that they also had to give something of equal value back and felt compelled to scaper round at the last minute to give something similar back.

Maybe he just wants to treat you. And doesn't want you to feel you have to give something similar back and that's why he suggested the £20 gift so he could give you back something much better. I think that's a beautiful gesture. If you have to, give something valuable to him on another occasion instead.

GinIsABreakfastFood · 25/12/2015 07:25

The day is here - Merry Christmas, place markers! I am not nervous at all, nope. because I have decided to start drinking at breakfast time...

Lanadelreya - I didn't literally buy socks and a bath bomb - if you RTFT, those examples were just slightly shit examples to emphasise my point!

Holidayornot - most of the little gifts are quite personal things which would out me IRL, and I hadn't really thought it was that important so was just being flippant. One of them is a moleskine book with a personalised message engraved on it (relates to DH's job, which he loves), and some other bits like that.

Lovely people giving NYC advice - thank you! Smile We are going in March.

I don't know what time they open presents here - it's my first time doing Christmas with my PILs' extended family! Confused

Will update as soon as I can though. Merry Christmas all! Hope the day brings plenty of booze, food, and lovely presents for all! Wine

OP posts:
Iwonderwhy123 · 25/12/2015 07:14

Ha ha toomuch me too!
OP please wake your DH up right now and start present opening to put yourself us out of the suspense!

InandOutofLove · 25/12/2015 06:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.