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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel short changed and resentful?

216 replies

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:45

So originally we were going to my boyfriend’s parents’ for Christmas dinner. I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately they fell out with his brother and therefore made alternative plans (uninvited everyone) and decided to spend it on their own. I therefore hosted the big day at my house for myself, boyfriend and my ds. Just the 3 of us. My boyfriend and myself do not live together and he earns a substantial amount more money than me. We used to earn the exact same but I have recently started a new job. As it was decided we’d have Christmas dinner at my house, I went out and bought all the food and alcohol to see us through Christmas and to the new year. I didn’t go mad, I spent about £100. My problem is that I have had no offer of money towards this and when I asked, he didn’t say or do anything. As it has bugged me since I raised it again yesterday as he said he didn’t want it to become about a whataboutery. In my mind I only think it’s fair we split the cost of this food as not only did I pay for everything, I’m the one who spent Christmas in the kitchen. Originally had plans not changed, his parents were hosting and I would have taken a token gift with me as I never go anywhere empty handed. My bf knows I am short of money. My ds has just finished college and starting working, his first pay cheque is due in January. On top of this and I don’t want to sound petty, my ds’s gf came round to my house in the evening. I had bought chocolates (as well as other gifts) for everyone and when we each opened our chocolates, we offered them around to each other. I brought my son up to do this. We all did this accept my bf. He took chocolates from each of us, but did not even open his. His chocolates were the most expensive out of them all, and the biggest box.

AIBU to feel disappointed and resentful?

OP posts:
Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 29/12/2025 10:02

I hate to say it, but I think he's future-faking you, OP.

And the fact that his parents ruined a LOT of people's Christmasses just because they'd fallen out with his brother (why not just disinvite him?) means that it seems he comes from a bit of a train-wreck of a family. Do you even know for certain that he's got no shelves for his oven? Because you can usually improvise something, if you really want to.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 29/12/2025 10:02

Newnamehiwhodis · 29/12/2025 07:57

People are insane if they think this is acceptable.

Agree. And the boyfriend sounds like a user.

If I knew my partner was short of money and had gone out of their way/budget to provide a lovely meal, at the very least I'd arrive laden with alcohol, chocs, mince pies etc. If not, I'd discretely bung them £40.

Fellontheground · 29/12/2025 10:03

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:56

It was decided I’d host as my bf has no shelves in his oven (so can’t cook turkey or roasties) and as my ds still lives at home we’d stay at mine.

Edited

No shelves in his oven? That’s a red flag right there. How does he cook? Is he generally a bit useless?

SBGM247 · 29/12/2025 10:05

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:45

So originally we were going to my boyfriend’s parents’ for Christmas dinner. I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately they fell out with his brother and therefore made alternative plans (uninvited everyone) and decided to spend it on their own. I therefore hosted the big day at my house for myself, boyfriend and my ds. Just the 3 of us. My boyfriend and myself do not live together and he earns a substantial amount more money than me. We used to earn the exact same but I have recently started a new job. As it was decided we’d have Christmas dinner at my house, I went out and bought all the food and alcohol to see us through Christmas and to the new year. I didn’t go mad, I spent about £100. My problem is that I have had no offer of money towards this and when I asked, he didn’t say or do anything. As it has bugged me since I raised it again yesterday as he said he didn’t want it to become about a whataboutery. In my mind I only think it’s fair we split the cost of this food as not only did I pay for everything, I’m the one who spent Christmas in the kitchen. Originally had plans not changed, his parents were hosting and I would have taken a token gift with me as I never go anywhere empty handed. My bf knows I am short of money. My ds has just finished college and starting working, his first pay cheque is due in January. On top of this and I don’t want to sound petty, my ds’s gf came round to my house in the evening. I had bought chocolates (as well as other gifts) for everyone and when we each opened our chocolates, we offered them around to each other. I brought my son up to do this. We all did this accept my bf. He took chocolates from each of us, but did not even open his. His chocolates were the most expensive out of them all, and the biggest box.

AIBU to feel disappointed and resentful?

@SantaHatCat have you tried being direct? For example, “I want you to pay £50 towards the Christmas dinner. The total was £100. I’m happy to pay half too. Would you have any objections to that?”

In my example I am direct. I’m expressing objective outcomes that resolve the matter. And at the end I’m asking if he has any objections. You’ll find that this:

• Signals this is a proposal, not a rant
• Flushes out the real blocker
• Preserves agency without surrendering control
• Narrows the response space
• Keeps the position reasonable if it goes further

As a Man, this would land very well with me.

caramac04 · 29/12/2025 10:05

As you’re a couple I would expect him to contribute; especially in the circumstances you describe.
He’s either very stingy, not very bright or just thoughtless.
I don’t think much of his parents cancelling due to their argument with another relative. That sounds dysfunctional and maybe your bf is too.

Oneforallandallforone · 29/12/2025 10:06

How much were you planning to contribute to your SIL’s food bill if she had gone ahead and hosted?

HRTQueen · 29/12/2025 10:10

He has shown you he is stingy don’t ignore

it’s so unattractive, an ex of mine was like this I stupidly ignored it at first until it became an issue

either you accept he is stingy and are ok with it or you are not and it’s time to move on

Katflapkit · 29/12/2025 10:13

LancashireButterPie · 29/12/2025 07:56

Love keeps no scores.
I think if you really loved him you'd stop counting. You sound quite transactional and arbitrary, stop giving things and then becoming aggrieved when people take them.

Sometimes you have to keep score when you are short of funds. OP stepped up at the last minute, the boyfriend should have ordered to share the cost.

Not joining in an opening his chocolates along with everyone else makes him a bit of a party pooper. Is he usually that anti social?

HipHopDontYouStop · 29/12/2025 10:15

Is he generally stingy?

Whowhenwhat · 29/12/2025 10:25

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 08:27

We have always gone 50/50 as I have always wanted to be seen as independent and am not a freeloader.

I lost my last job (after a 6 month period of sicknessI) and have found this financially difficult. I supported myself while not working and have been completely honest about my financial struggles and medical conditions with my bf. As a result of my financial constraints we have done less and not gone out as much. He has cut his cloth to match mine which is resulting in him being able to save more money.

he talks about the future and him having big plans for us and that I won’t need to worry about money. He has said this a few times.

Last September I got a new mattress which he said he’d pay half towards but never has. I’m worried he says things but doesn’t follow through. I reminded him what he’d said about the mattress (over a year ago) and his response was - had I asked my cat to contribute?

I’ve been very generous but now I have to watch every penny.

We went for a long walk the other day and he bought me a hot chocolate and said it was a treat. It was very nice but I have to be honest it grated on me as obviously I’d bought all the food and the last time we’d had hot chocolates there, I paid so it was more like ‘his round’.

I asked him to bring wine (to have with the Christmas dinner) and some lemons if passing a shop as I forgotten them.

What on earth is attractive about him? Get rid. He's costing you money

FeistyFrankie · 29/12/2025 10:33

LancashireButterPie · 29/12/2025 07:56

Love keeps no scores.
I think if you really loved him you'd stop counting. You sound quite transactional and arbitrary, stop giving things and then becoming aggrieved when people take them.

Oh, please. What garbage.

OP he sounds stingy. Not a good quality for a partner to have. It was very generous of you to step in and host at the last minute. So for that along, yes, he absolutely should have offered to pay a contribution.

What is he like with money in general? Is this part of a pattern?

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 29/12/2025 10:34

Sounds like BF is unable to recognise basic social cues and needs to be parented - which will make him a selfish, unreliable and not fully adult partner in a relationship. He sounds to me as though he’s stuck at the developmental stage of a 13 year old boy, for whatever reason.

The normal thing to do in the Xmas circumstances would have been to go shopping together, or at least ask what part of the meal he should have provided.

Not helping with the cooking suggests he assumes he will be cared for -‘parented’- and does not recognise the responsible, adult, participatory role he is called on to play as an adult in a relationship.

Not having oven shelves suggests he doesn’t look after himself & doesn’t see the need to.

Keeping his box of chocs unopened while everyone else offered theirs is failing to see & react to a really obvious social cue.

The unreliability about the mattress suggests he does not understand that people will remember & rely on what he says. The rudeness about it (the cat comment) suggests lack of maturity. Really not an adult’s response - this is a 13 year old’s comment.

The grandiose promises about the future without any serious planning similarly sound like something a young teen or child would say - without any real thought or detail - without realising in the adult world this will lead to reliance.

The framing of the hot chocolate as a ‘treat’ is childlike & not something you’d expect in an adult relationship.

I would say there is something more significant going on here, about his social & emotional capacity & development, & that unless he’s willing to address his difficulty with social cues, & immaturity, and unless you are willing to take on the (possibly very unrewarding) task of helping him do so, it’s time to end things.

And the idea that ‘love keeps no score’- the mantra of abusive & exploitative men everywhere. Don’t fall for that crap 🤢.

honeybeey · 29/12/2025 10:38

I couldn’t be in a relationship where things were counted. What happens when you live together? Are you going to add up who’s eaten what and ask for the money for his portion of chicken he consumed for Sunday roast?
He’s already said he doesn’t want whataboutery and you obviously do so it’s clear you are unsuitable for each other.
I would hate that in my marriage and be very miserable so let him find someone who doesn’t keep check on when he opens his chocolate and what food he eats/drinks before he is utterly miserable and your on here accusing him of being moody, frustrated and irritable and texting more chilled out other women.
And you can go find a man who point scores and keeps a tally but you may find him a bit controlling.

WhateverTarrance · 29/12/2025 10:38

Sorry op but I wouldn't share my Christmas Present Chocolates either. Unless I don't like them.

But I think your boyfriend could have chipped in with the foid shopping or helping cooking it.

Purplecatshopaholic · 29/12/2025 10:44

You know if he is generally stingy or not op. From what you have said here it sounds like he is. It’s a very unattractive quality. You do sound very transactional in your approach which is also very unattractive, but I can see how you are feeling pushed into feeling like this due to his cheap behaviour. I’d be thinking about ditching this one.

ContentedAlpaca · 29/12/2025 11:09

Purplecatshopaholic · 29/12/2025 10:44

You know if he is generally stingy or not op. From what you have said here it sounds like he is. It’s a very unattractive quality. You do sound very transactional in your approach which is also very unattractive, but I can see how you are feeling pushed into feeling like this due to his cheap behaviour. I’d be thinking about ditching this one.

Yes. It sounds like they've got themselves locked into a dynamic that doesn't allow for generosity and I think they'd have to both want to work very hard together to get on a healthier footing.

Shinyandnew1 · 29/12/2025 11:10

It sounds like you are very aware that he offers things and doesn't actually pay for it in the end and buys you a hot chocolate as a 'treat'. Knowing that, I would have said

'As we are no longer going to your mums, I could do a Christmas dinner here but obviously I had no job and not much money-what would you suggest is fair here?'

It's you and your son anyway though so it's only actually one more person for dinner.

Isayitasitis · 29/12/2025 11:11

LancashireButterPie · 29/12/2025 07:56

Love keeps no scores.
I think if you really loved him you'd stop counting. You sound quite transactional and arbitrary, stop giving things and then becoming aggrieved when people take them.

I wouldn't dare embarrass myself by not contributing!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 29/12/2025 11:12

SBGM247 · 29/12/2025 10:05

@SantaHatCat have you tried being direct? For example, “I want you to pay £50 towards the Christmas dinner. The total was £100. I’m happy to pay half too. Would you have any objections to that?”

In my example I am direct. I’m expressing objective outcomes that resolve the matter. And at the end I’m asking if he has any objections. You’ll find that this:

• Signals this is a proposal, not a rant
• Flushes out the real blocker
• Preserves agency without surrendering control
• Narrows the response space
• Keeps the position reasonable if it goes further

As a Man, this would land very well with me.

The problem with this approach is that any man who is conflict-averse will agree to whatever you are saying, nod along - and just never cough up.

It's very easy to say yes to everything being suggested just to shut the other person up, if you have no intention of paying. Then whenever the subject is raised again it's 'just not a good time.'

I think he's leading OP up the garden path. There seems to be a lot of promising, and not a lot of doing, which also leads me to believe that he wouldn't pay up even if asked directly.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 29/12/2025 12:35

I agree with you, OP. When I’ve been invited anywhere for Christmas I always ask what I can contribute. Usually it’s not money but hosts are always pleased to receive champagne & other drinks. I’d never expect someone to get all of the Christmas food and host it and for me to contribute zero! Such bad manners.

iconbaby123 · 29/12/2025 12:36

SantaHatCat · 29/12/2025 07:56

It was decided I’d host as my bf has no shelves in his oven (so can’t cook turkey or roasties) and as my ds still lives at home we’d stay at mine.

Edited

Oh come on. Shelves are easy to get

Whowhenwhat · 29/12/2025 12:53

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 29/12/2025 11:12

The problem with this approach is that any man who is conflict-averse will agree to whatever you are saying, nod along - and just never cough up.

It's very easy to say yes to everything being suggested just to shut the other person up, if you have no intention of paying. Then whenever the subject is raised again it's 'just not a good time.'

I think he's leading OP up the garden path. There seems to be a lot of promising, and not a lot of doing, which also leads me to believe that he wouldn't pay up even if asked directly.

💯 this. he never had intention of paying. What decent human being, when reminded to pay, calls the conversation 'whataboutery'?

outerspacepotato · 29/12/2025 13:02

I see your point.

Usually, the host pays. But this was an extremely last minute cancellation and you filled in rather than the 3 of you go without. I think you should have asked him to contribute to the cost when you were deciding to make the dinner. If he refused, then that's that, he's not having a dinner you can't really afford at yours.

You can ask him now, but he sounds stingy. He talks a big game, but doesn't follow through. I doubt you'll see money out of him for this unless you get really insistant that you fed him and he needs to contribute.

aLFIESMA · 29/12/2025 13:41

LadyBlakeneysHanky · 29/12/2025 10:34

Sounds like BF is unable to recognise basic social cues and needs to be parented - which will make him a selfish, unreliable and not fully adult partner in a relationship. He sounds to me as though he’s stuck at the developmental stage of a 13 year old boy, for whatever reason.

The normal thing to do in the Xmas circumstances would have been to go shopping together, or at least ask what part of the meal he should have provided.

Not helping with the cooking suggests he assumes he will be cared for -‘parented’- and does not recognise the responsible, adult, participatory role he is called on to play as an adult in a relationship.

Not having oven shelves suggests he doesn’t look after himself & doesn’t see the need to.

Keeping his box of chocs unopened while everyone else offered theirs is failing to see & react to a really obvious social cue.

The unreliability about the mattress suggests he does not understand that people will remember & rely on what he says. The rudeness about it (the cat comment) suggests lack of maturity. Really not an adult’s response - this is a 13 year old’s comment.

The grandiose promises about the future without any serious planning similarly sound like something a young teen or child would say - without any real thought or detail - without realising in the adult world this will lead to reliance.

The framing of the hot chocolate as a ‘treat’ is childlike & not something you’d expect in an adult relationship.

I would say there is something more significant going on here, about his social & emotional capacity & development, & that unless he’s willing to address his difficulty with social cues, & immaturity, and unless you are willing to take on the (possibly very unrewarding) task of helping him do so, it’s time to end things.

And the idea that ‘love keeps no score’- the mantra of abusive & exploitative men everywhere. Don’t fall for that crap 🤢.

My goodness, I wish I'd had someone to point out these sorts of things to me when I was younger. It's so easy to deceive yourself that you are in the right relationship. Look after yourself OP x

Pineapplewaves · 29/12/2025 14:00

Are you hard up for money? Has paying £100.00 for a Christmas dinner you weren’t expecting left you struggling? If so you should explain this to your DP and ask if he could pay his share (1/3 of the cost). Otherwise it’s mean to expect him to pay, he’s your partner, Have you asked your DS and his GF to pay for what they had?

Maybe he wanted to take his chocolates home to eat later. You don’t buy someone a box of chocolates as a gift then expect them to open them and share them with you (the giver of the gift) and the other guests, you buy separate chocolates for that.

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