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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

First anniversary - mismatch in effort

130 replies

Skethylita · 14/06/2026 18:39

DP and I have our first anniversary in a week. Today he told me that he will not have the money or time to "splash out" on our first anniversary.

I have had a gift sorted for many months - a homemade gift that involved many hours of time and effort (and yes, money, too) that I am trying to get finished in time for next week. He knows about this gift as we have had a traumatic event a few months back and I shared with him what I was working on to cheer us up. He knows when our anniversary is as we will go back to the place we first met at.

I asked him what his plans were before his money concerns and he said a taxi there and back and a little something (he won't tell me what, to save it for the next one). I told him I was disappointed. Not because of the monetary value, but because I expected some thought and effort that wasn't being left until the last minute.

We're both busy and in demanding jobs. We both have had things on full time the last few weeks. But he knew this was coming. He knew how much effort I was putting in. Normally, he is very thoughtful. He also has money (in savings), but his everyday spends are run down this month. Money wouldn't have mattered either way, but I feel like he's setting me up for a bunch of generic flowers if I'm lucky. We have a great relationship otherwise.

It's not about money, but about lack of thought. I told him that much and am quite disappointed. AIBU?

Yes, YABU - Gifts don't matter, even when effort is clearly and knowingly mismatched.
No, YANBU - He knew this was coming and what you put in. He should have got his arse in gear earlier.

OP posts:
nam3c4ang3 · 15/06/2026 17:43

are you sure you are matched? It doesnt sound like it OP - i would find your gift intimidating if im honest... its your love language - not his, he is probably going to struggle to keep up...

Glidinglikeaswan · 15/06/2026 17:48

From the way you were talking I thought it was a wedding anniversary. Making a big deal out of a dating anniversary is over the top. It also sounds like you don't live together (him needing to spend on fixing stuff in his house), so it's basically boyfriend/girlfriend? That's not an "anniversary".

MandingoAteMyBaby · 15/06/2026 22:57

Slaving over some mawkish ick-giving video while expecting reciprocity is too much.

makemineadecaf · Yesterday 06:50

Has the op answered how old they are?

Skethylita · Yesterday 17:37

If he wanted less, he'd go find it. But he doesn't.

The doom mongers on here are almost funny. No, he isn't withdrawing, quite the opposite.

Anyway, we talked it out like the grown adults we are. We understand each other's perspective a lot better now. He himself also admitted he left it a bit late, given the initial plans.

That film? He is not the type to watch it once and stow it away. He himself has actively contributed to it since I first showed him what I was doing ans has seen bits and pieces since. Hard as that may be for people to believe, he likes it. A lot. I do tend to think about presents for others that they'd love.

My child's off to university gift was planned for over a year, too 😮

OP posts:
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