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!!

Ha ha also shamelessly place marking hoping he gives them to the OP

That's would be a right fucker if he doesn't

What would you have done if you hadn't found the gift?

If you agreed token gifts and then suddenly given him something big then he'll know you've found it early...

Do nothing.

is also shamelessly placemarking

Yes, he will know.

I think it was weird of you to open the box, tbh.

Waiting for chrimbo morning with my popcorn ⛄

Your sister might have a point- has he packed them for your trip?

Waiting for tomorrow

I'm actually with BalloonSlayer. My DH does this to me every year and it actually really pisses me off. His argument is that is the one time of year he can spoil me but it actually makes me feel miserly and shit as I always try and stick to the budget especially as we can rarely afford what he spends. I end up spending more and thus a cycle of resentment starts.

This year, we're saving to pay off debts and emigrate and he bought me an expensive advent calendar. It's one that I have wisted after for years but tbh, I'd rather he'd have whacked £150 on the credit card.

Don't buy him anything else OP, especially if you can't really afford it. X

Well I think blah blah... I don't have a clue but I am also shamelessly place marking.

Maybe he wants to wear it himself? Is he into dressing up?

Either you were watching "Love Actually" or this is a stealth boast. Why not open your gifts in private and save your blushes

If I had stuck to a budget and partner didn't, and particularly if he kept going over it, I'd be tempted to make him return the present and get a less expensive one.

I would actually be quite cross as it isn't in the spirit of what you've agreed. ..am I weird?

I hope you actually get the gift!

If it was in a coat he's bit taking with him then unthinkable it's likely they aren't for you or do you have a birthday or anniversary coming up that he might give them to you for instead? With 20 minutes to go any presents would be packed in the bags surely?

I'll find time to check back tomorrow.

The first thing I thought of was Love Actually.

You've stuck to the agreement. When you open them, say something like "well it looks like I need an occasion to wear these - how about I take you to (favourite restaurant) as a treat in the new year to say thank you?"

Me too!

is also shamelessly placemarking

HaS he actually taken the coat? (place marking)

Why are people telling you to buy something. Just let it be. Its amazing he bought you something like that but it's not your fault. I would assume right now you have bigger things to worry about.

I can't believe you untied the box he will 100% know it's been opened.

My dh has form for doing this, I just smile and enjoy it.

[santa]

I disagree that he has panicked. Sometimes people just like to do nice things for people they love. One year I got my dh a very expensive jacket for his birthday. He had talked about it for years and I had saved the money to buy it. He was a little worried that h couldn't spend that much on mine but I told him not to worry, there are times when he has got me something more expensive. It all evens out in the end.

I had this with our anniversary. Bought zero (as usual) got an expensive necklace... I felt awful but DH was insistent that I just "take the nice thing and don't spoil the nice gesture with guilt" do this and feel loved.

With 20 minutes to go any presents would be packed in the bags surely?

Oh I didn't think of that.

Is it your birthday soon OP?

Opps I am guilty of doing this this year.

DH has jokingly mentioned a PS4 every chance he has got, knowing we can't afford one. We agreed on a £50 limit - partly for money reasons and partly because he is SHIT at gift buying and I don't want £300 of rubbish gifts (previous years include a cooker, microwaveable slippers and a Jim'll Fix It badge soap on a rope).

I've bought him the PS4 using our Clubcard vouchers so technically, I stuck to the limit because I didn't spend anything.