Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is not a present..

54 replies

mamamibbo · 03/01/2013 21:05

its a 'big' birthday mid january, ive been after a tablet for ages, dh didnt get me a xmas present because i was getting a big birthday present ..

hes just told me i can upgrade my phone contract in february and get a tablet as the free gift in that with my new phone (that'll probably sell since i like my phone) and hes going to do the same so we can both have tablet and the laptop can be for my business (that was my idea, we only have one computer and i need it at night when he wants to use it sometimes)

so now im getting what i asked for, 3 weeks late so thats my present sorted?

what do you reckon?

OP posts:
TiaMariaandEggnog · 03/01/2013 22:38

So Dh plans to pay for your upgrade (but in Feb rather than Jan), which will also get you a free tablet - is that right? (presumably you plan on an upgrade that will cost extra, otherwise I'm not seeing where this is a gift?)

SantasENormaSnob · 03/01/2013 22:43

I wouldn't be happy.

Not really a gift is it.

Tightarse Angry

ImperialBlether · 03/01/2013 22:50

He is selfish and mean and entitled.

Original poster
mamamibbo · 05/01/2013 09:46

he wont be payoing anything extra, my contract finishes in feb and i can get a new one, the one ive found is the same price as the one i have now and comes with a free tablet, hes decided to get the same deal so he will get one aswell

hes said thats my birthday sorted then because i will be getting the tablet i wanted

OP posts:
WhateverTrevor · 05/01/2013 09:53

Wow what a twat. What are you going to do or say to him?

AnneTwacky · 05/01/2013 09:54

No he should get you something else for your birthday and something for Christmas as that doesn't count as a present.

Decide what presents you do want and tell him that as you will be paying for the "free" tablet through your contract, then these are the presents you want for birthday/ Christmas.

If he says no then tell him that his tablet will count as a present for his next birthday/ Christmas 2013 then.

ChrimboFascist · 05/01/2013 09:54

Tight and selfish. Show him this thread, why don't you, and let him see what other people have to say about it. I think the real grabbiness is him wanting the same for himself. How much did you spend on him for Christmas and birthday? And he's effectively spending £0 on you. Nice.

Softlysoftly · 05/01/2013 10:08

He didn't even find the deal? He's piggybacking yours?!

He has tone joking surely? I'd be saying to him what pp said. "haha hilarious, can't wait to see my real gift"

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 05/01/2013 10:18

Yeah I would say that too. Would definitely say "it's so great that we can both get tablets for free, that means you can stretch to x other thing that I need/would like for my birthday".

If he dodges that then definitely say (and stick to) the "well isn't that great we've sorted your present for birthday and Christmas this year" plan.

pictish · 05/01/2013 10:24

Well I think he's a mean spirited shit.

It's NOT a present. Yes, you are getting the tablet you wanted so that's fine. What about your birthday present though?

Don't get me wrong - I think adults making a fuss about birthday presents is daft....BUT in this instance, he got his prezzies and expects to renage on yours through some circumstancial happenstance!!

It's not about the present, but about the lack of effort and consideration.

WeAreEternal · 05/01/2013 10:34

How can he consider that a birthday gift?

IIWM I would find something I want, that is worth the monitory value of the birthday gifts you bought him AND the missed Christmas present (plus ones from the kids (because he sounds selfish enough not to bother getting something from them either) and tell him that is what you want for your birthday.

And come October wrap his 8 month old tablet and give that to him. See how he likes it

FirstPersonPlural · 05/01/2013 10:35

What phone deal are you upgrading to that comes with a free tablet?

And no, however great a deal it is, that's not a valid xmas/bday pressie! I'd follow Elephant's advice - perfect plan.

FirstPersonPlural · 05/01/2013 10:37

Ha ha! Wrapping up his tablet in October - that's brilliant Eternal!

Astelia · 05/01/2013 10:47

So DH got sat nav, greenhouse, football stuff and is getting a tablet. You get a tablet. Even ignoring the greenhouse it isn't fair is it? If you weren't bothered then no problem, but you are bothered. So something needs to be done.

I would have a think about something you would like or a show you would like to see or a restaurant you would like to visit and tell DH about it. Don't just fester and be a martyr as this won't solve anything. Be firm and fair- he can't argue with that.

OhlimpPricks · 05/01/2013 10:53

You wanted a particular item for your birthday, you will be getting it.
Well done him for saving some money.
By the way you are listing everything you have given him sounds like you have some kind of expectation.
Those who give to receive will always be disappointed.

HeathRobinson · 05/01/2013 10:57

So DH got sat nav, greenhouse, football stuff and is getting a tablet. You get a tablet. Even ignoring the greenhouse it isn't fair is it? If you weren't bothered then no problem, but you are bothered. So something needs to be done.

^^ this.

mercibucket · 05/01/2013 11:01

oooh you can put it on business account too and put it on tax return!

well, sounds like dh is forgetting what he got for xmas/birthday. just tell him it'll count as his future xmas and bday gifts then too

and get yourself a better present from you to you - i got just what i've always wanted! (this tablet) needless to say dh immediately announced he's thinking of getting an ipad (so 300 quid more than my tablet and not for a birthday). told him where to go and did feel like a game of one upmanship.

ChocHobNob · 05/01/2013 11:02

I would be happy to get the tablet and save money! Would be nice if he then gets another present for the day though. Perhaps put the money he was going to spend on the tablet towards a night out for the two of you.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 05/01/2013 14:57

Shock What an arse! That's really not on. You'd be getting the tablet anyway with your upgrade, it's not a gift from him. You're right to be upset about it Sad, it shows selfishness and not giving a shit.

diddl · 05/01/2013 15:03

He´s being mean.

But I so want a tablet I wouldn´t care tbh!

I also wouldn´t be bothered about another present just because I was getting the tablet for no extra cost.

I´m an adult-pressies don´t bother me every year.

diddl · 05/01/2013 15:05

Sorry that should have been as an adult I´m not bothered about presents every year unless there happens to be somethong I really want.

Which atm is a tablet, but we can´t afford it.

diddl · 05/01/2013 15:05

Or even something-thongs aren´t my thing!

fuzzpig · 05/01/2013 15:06

The phrase "tighter than a badger's arse" springs to mind Hmm

If this situation arose in our house/phone contracts etc, we'd think "hooray! We get free tablets" and then get each other different gifts (probably cheaper though)

There is no excuse for not even getting you a little box of chocolates though FFS.

I wonder if he was actually ever planning on getting you a tablet at all but then I'm a cynical cow.

OhlimpPricks · 05/01/2013 15:43

OP, read some of the replies. Some of the people on here would 'love' a tablet.

Lucky lady, you want something and you are getting it. Is it really such an intrinsic part of the gift, how much was spent on it, and how your DP got it?

He knows you want it, and has thought of a way you can have it, without too much extra expense, thoughtful of saving money for the family as a unit. Would you rather he frittered away money, like some of the DP's on here?

The key to contentment? Wanting what you have, not having what you want.

diddl · 05/01/2013 16:12

TBH, I don´t get the-"I spent so much, & he must also, I bought something & therefore he must"

If the tablet was essentially free, I´d be happy with a meal out.

I can´t spend for the sake of it.

If that makes me a tightarse, so be it!

Swipe left for the next trending thread