DM is staying with me and Boyfriend (BF) of 2 years whom she has only met once before (we live outside the UK so few opportunities to get them together).
Christmas morning, I give BF an expensive wallet- she knows exactly how much it was because I bought it online and got her to bring it over. He gives me a cookbook and a board game, both wrapped by the shops that sold them. Both things I really like, but not exactly romantic. He would have had no idea how much I was spending on him as I did push the boat out compared to last year, and I think he is a little sheepish. However DM has already told me how she is deeply unimpressed at his lack of imagination and will no doubt go home and tell all her friends he doesn't treat me well enough. This is hot on the heels of him "not being a gentleman" for taking the first cab in the queue last night while we waited another 15 seconds for the next one- I told him to take it!. My last BF never redeemed himself in her eyes for not carrying my bag into her house from the car, even though I probably picked it up myself before he had the chance to offer.
She has spent the whole trip making various snide comments (to both of us) about my SIL not being good enough for my DB, for a whole host of utterly inconsequential reasons, such as "she won't join in at board games".
Now, BF is absolutely lovely to her, has spent hours listening attentively to her repeating the same stories 10 times and has been planning all sorts of lovely activities for the three of us. He is a crap present buyer but I could not care less, as he is funny, kind, loyal and as attentive as I need him to be (chivalry makes me a bit embarrassed TBH).
Mum has sadly been widowed twice. AIBU to think that she has difficulty being happy for anyone else who has a partner and compulsively picks fault to make herself feel better? I wish she'd just keep her opinions to herself.