To feel slightly put out by DH's lovely surprise?

[GinIsABreakfastFood]

Ok, firstly I want to clarify I did not look for my present on purpose!

Basically DH and I agreed that we would only do tiny token presents this year so that we can have a mega holiday later on. We agreed a set limit, which I found a huge struggle as I bloody love giving presents and spoiling people, and have spent the past few months trying frantically to pick up lovely, thoughtful little bits and pieces within the £20 limit.

Was feeling quite pleased with myself until.... Was packing to leave for family for Christmas and noticed his smart work coat which he won't need was a bit grubby so thought I'd leave it with the dry cleaners so it's fresh for next year, and found a mega expensive piece of beautiful jewellery hidden in the pocket.

DSis has helpfully pointed out that this happens in Love Actually and it turns out the husband has bought the gift for his mistress....

Pretty sure it is for me, thanks, Dsis, and it's lovely, but soooo not what we agreed.

We have got to leave in the next 20 mins to drive to remote Scotland for massive family Christmas so no time to get him anything else to even the balance. Which means that when we open presents in Christmas morning, in front of about 30 people, I will get Tiffany diamond earrings, and he will get socks and a robot bath bomb. AIBU to feel absolutely mortified, a bit cross, and completely love my darling DH for the beautiful surprise, but also a bit want to kill him?!

Should I just buy £500 worth of petrol station tat at at the services on the way there?! Pretend I forgot his main present at home and lie about what it is?!

HELP!!

I wouldn't be embarrassed either. He chose to ignore the set budget because he wanted to.

It's ok all - house has wifi, so you will all be able to see me get egg on my face when they turn out to be for his PA/the Starbucks barista or the Tiffanys box turns out to contain paper clips or similar.

waves at place markers

To those saying I am an attention seeker/stealth boasting - that's ok. You can think what you like, I don't mind. Season of good will and all! Or, perhaps I am just an ordinary person who was really quite upset at the idea someone might have done something lovely for them and I had nothing with which to reciprocate? Just a thought....

I have decided to take advice from the clever poster who suggested something for the trip, and lie about tell him there's a restaurant reservation booked and paid for our trip.

Thanks all for the help, support, stopping by to laugh at me, and generally keeping me entertained in my panic. I know it's silly, he will love me anyway without a swanky present, right? or I'm Love Actually Emma Thompson....

Don't get him anything else, he obviously wants to treat you with a lovely surprise!

Such an attention seeking reply gin

I hope it is something nice and not paper clips! And I'm very pleased you have wifi

Hey there's nothing wrong with stealth boasting! I didn't mean it as an insult. Why the heck not, a little Tiffany box is pretty boast worthy imo.

I wouldn't be upset though. I don't really get that.

Ahem. No place marking here; move along now...

Yay! I suggested something for the trip although probably other posters did too I'm now wishing OP that you had bought him a Joni Mitchell CD from one of the services just for the entertainment value

On a Love Actually note - look away now if you haven't seen it - Emma Freud recently tweeted all the way through a showing and revealed that Rowan Atkinson was supposed to be an angel and that's why he took so long with the wrapping of the jewellery - he was trying to stop Alan Rickman from buying it for his slapper colleague.

Totally place marking & hoping you have a lovely surprise tomorrow OP :)

Another marking place and fingers crossed for the op tomorrow!

You agreed a limit together. I'd open it and do the surprised and delighted "oh darling, but we'd agreed a limit.... Aaaaargh!" thing, for public consumption.

Anyway, hope you have a great day and they are for you.

Shameless place marking

Do you have joint banking. Can't you have a wee peek at how much he spent. It's going to be very dissapointing for all of us if it's a cheapie Tiffany charm.

that didn't look like place marking at all

Oh dear, it's a lovely gesture but quite frustrating when you had been holding back on the present buying and keeping things small as agreed and will now worry about looking cheap! It negates the point of discussing it beforehand to make sure you were on the same page. YANBU, I would feel uncomfortable too.

If you want to buy him something extra, you can buy experiences online at sites like livingsocial, things like a fun day out, activities, a nice meal at a restaurant or a couple of nights at a hotel. It's my go to site for last minute present shopping, all you have to do is print out the voucher and put it in a card. Good luck, I hope it all works out and you have a lovely time.

Op, the year after we bought the house we live in now dp and I agreed small token presents for each other and just spoil the dc. We moved in November and we had 2 dcs birthdays in the lead up to Christmas anyway so we had a lot going on.
I gave him pants/socks/aftershave. Then he pops out to get my present. Leaves the house and disappears for 5 minutes. And drives up the road with a car with an enormous bow on the top!! He was desperate for me to learn to drive as was I, but had been a mature student when the Dc were little and we didn't have enough cash for me to do so.
Obviously his gift had a much greater value than mine but it was such a lovely surprise!
(I just scrapped her yesterday and still feel sad about it!)
Enjoy your day

Awaiting tomorrow's update....

Sadly this giving business seems to be all about spending money. There are other ways to give to a spouse that are equally appreciated.

Place marking with crossed fingers for OP.

Rafflesway- we categorically CAN'T afford it, that's one of my worries!!

I am only calling it a mega holiday because we haven't been able to afford one at all for 2 years. We are off to NYC for 5 days and I cannot WAIT, I've never been!

Bloody posters with their bloody attention seeking questions. What's next, idle chit chat?

In my day Mumsnet was for medical emergencies and marital breakups only, you hear me? Only! Grumble grumble grumble

Oh my godsend OP I really hope they are for you otherwise it will be the worst time ever. I think they are for you! Keep us updated

Goodness* IPhone predictive

My DH has also broken the no present rule this year, but he "stealthily hid" them under the tree yesterday. I'm over all my guilt now.

Place marking too !!! [santa]
Hope you have a wonderful trip and a great Christmas !

I've been educated. I never knew that Tiffany earrings cost so much.