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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

First anniversary - mismatch in effort

152 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:
SALaw · Yesterday 23:19

ClaredeBear · Yesterday 18:53

Sorry, I should say congrats on the upcoming engagement- I didn’t mean to overlook that, it’s very exciting.

How can you have an “upcoming engagement”? If it’s agreed surely that means they are engaged?!

Crumpled86 · Yesterday 23:38

I'd be disappointed too op so no I don't think yabu. However I would also recognise that for you your love language is gift giving and you put a lot more thought into it than other people. I do too and am often disappointed when I receive a generic gift. For me it doesn't matter how much money is involved it is the complete lack of consideration for what I would actually like.

In your case, he knew the occasion was coming. He has a full time job, you go away a fair bit and it doesn't sound like putting a fiver a month for a few months would have killed him. Instead he chose not to. He chose not to prioritise you and that is upsetting especially when he was the one who kept bringing the occasion up.

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