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!!

Another place marker. Lost count

Um, place marking

Just found a pair of earrings on tiffany, little silver knot ones for 165 that's not too bad.

Im almost more excited for your update tomoro than Xmas.

fingers crossed for you OP

Maybe it's like the film Breakfast at Tiffanys where he buys the cheapest thing in the shop? I think it was a tie pin....dunno too tired to goggle.
I hope it works out well, happy Christmas

Shuffle up on the placemarking bench

notvery they could have bought a telephone dialler but they get a cheap ring engraved instead.

People talking about Rowan Atkinson being an angel in Love Actually- I sussed that myself on my 80th time watching

It's a pity he couldn't have done anything for the American woman who doesn't end up with the hot Italian guy but you can't win em all!

Er, OP, this is just an elaborate placemark really but good luck in the morning! 🎁

Yes you're right Maisie.

Ooohhhhh. Marking.

theredlion it would have been perfect if Liam and Emma had got together. Why did I never think of that? Why did they not do that? That would have been perfect. Damn Richard Curtis leaving Emma soldiering on bravely rather than shagging Liam under the tree. sorry for lowering the tone. Liam is on my list

Just enjoy the gift

I wouldn't dream of trying to panic buy just to reciprocate.

Happy Christmas

Just had a thought - if you're going NYC in a few days surely it would have been cheaper for your DH to buy them then?! place marked

Enjoy them OP whatever they are, lucky you

Hope they're for you OP!

Why did you say you bought socks and a bath bomb if you didn't?

Given you've told us what he bought for you I don't see how telling us what you bought could be revealing. So what other reason is there?

I just can't believe how many people are brazenly place marking without even pretending to be doing something else.

place marked

Maybe there's something that cost £20 inside the Tiffany box, you know, so that you think he's bought you something outside the budget....

Definitely don't spend the same on him, that totally defeats the idea of saving for New York! Of you feel bad, just say you'll buy him something fab when you're in NYC.

I can't wait to hear what's inside the box!

I think I may be more excited about hearing the end of this story than I am about actual Christmas

Ha ha toomuch me too!
OP please wake your DH up right now and start present opening to put yourself us out of the suspense!

The day is here - Merry Christmas, place markers! I am not nervous at all, nope. because I have decided to start drinking at breakfast time...

Lanadelreya - I didn't literally buy socks and a bath bomb - if you RTFT, those examples were just slightly shit examples to emphasise my point!

Holidayornot - most of the little gifts are quite personal things which would out me IRL, and I hadn't really thought it was that important so was just being flippant. One of them is a moleskine book with a personalised message engraved on it (relates to DH's job, which he loves), and some other bits like that.

Lovely people giving NYC advice - thank you! We are going in March.

I don't know what time they open presents here - it's my first time doing Christmas with my PILs' extended family!

Will update as soon as I can though. Merry Christmas all! Hope the day brings plenty of booze, food, and lovely presents for all!

Just to add that I wouldn't feel guilty if DH gave me a gift that was 30 times what I'd gotten him. He loves giving me gifts and it there's something so sincere and selfless about giving a gift without expecting anything in return. In fact, if I was the one giving an expensive surprise gift then I'd be a bit dissapointed if my OH felt that they also had to give something of equal value back and felt compelled to scaper round at the last minute to give something similar back.

Maybe he just wants to treat you. And doesn't want you to feel you have to give something similar back and that's why he suggested the £20 gift so he could give you back something much better. I think that's a beautiful gesture. If you have to, give something valuable to him on another occasion instead.

Merry Christmas OP!