My birthday - what is wrong with me?

[gremlindolphin]

So I have had a lovely day today with friends and family, lots of lovely presents and bits that are very me etc.

DH has returned home with my present, a very expensive bit of Apple technology that I have never said I wanted or want.

He is now very cross that I am so ungrateful for something that "everybody wants" except me.

We already have two computers, a lap top, smart phones etc. Why would we want anything else? Does everyone want ipad airs? Is it just me? Should I just get on with it?

I need some wisdom.

Aaargh!

You don't need wisdom, you need to grow up!

It's a very generous gift, no wonder he's upset if you're not happy with it

My husband keeps trying to buy me a kindle, we can't afford one and I don't want one! I know how you feel. (And I suspect DH wants one really so best way is to buy me one I don't use).

Happy Birthday anyway [cheers]

Oh bollocks we don't have cheers icon.

Let's try

It doesn't matter if it is expensive - that doesn't make it 'generous' and you don't need to 'grow up' at being upset at being given a thoughtless yet flash gift. Can you thank him graciously but say you are desperate for x, y or z and could it possibly be returned?

Happy birthday. I'd rather have something (cheap) that I want than something someone wants to buy for me.
For a moment I was going to suggest asking for the receipt and swapping it for a Mulberry handbag, but that would be wrong.

Is it more about you feel like there was no real thought, that he doesn't 'know you' ?

In the past I've been a bit miffed with gifts but the giver would never of guessed apart from a 3in 1 coat off the dh who had bigged this gift up like it was the queen jewels for when he had my car and I had to get the bus just cos I put so much thought into gifts. But I don't think men get that, he has probably thought he was doing good and has bought it with good intentions.

It's my birthday today too so try and enjoy whats left

I meant to add happy birthday

It's so nice to receive thoughtful gifts that people know we would really like or benefit from. Yes it's lovely that DH has bought such a nice gift but it's just not what you wanted. Just explain to him that you really don't think you would use it very much and would he be hurt if you returned it so you could purchase something else that you do really want. Failing that you could use your new ipad to sit and post on MN all evening or look at hot guys online and leave it around for him to see. Use it night and day, stop talking to him because you are so engrossed with it and he will wish with all his heart that he had never bought it for you.

Thank you for your responses, both sympathetic and not!

Happy Birthday to Hoolit, Heyday you made me laugh again!

xx

I have an iPhone and I still looooooooove my iPad mini. Mumsnetting on it now. Try it before you knock it? Happy birthday!

I'd be over the moon. I can see why he's upset.

Good luck.

Op I was you 2 years ago....got exact same gift....so deflated.

I'm such a technophobe and I thought if he knows me why buy me that....

He took it back.

Hey I am glad I could raise a little smile. Just remember it could be worse..... He could have bought you a bloody iron!!!

My friend's DH did this at Xmas. He then bought a protective case for it for one of her birthday gifts.

She has never used it and has just left it in the cupboard.

Hi, it's my birthday today too & my DH also bought me an ipad mini (even though I know he really bought it for family use )!

Happy Birthday ??

My DH only buys presents that he would like for himself.
Several years ago I insisted he bought me what I really wanted, a Black and Decker Workmate, and a scroll saw.

Distinct lack of imagination from these men! Do they really think we don't realise what they're upto?

I would absolutely hate to receive that as a gift.

Obviously there are bigger problems in the world, but it's a teeny bit disappointing when the man who's supposed to know you better than anyone gets it so wrong.

At least you can just put it to one side.
I had to spend 2 days trying to make the best of a trip away that I would never have chosen. I pretended to like a bag for years before I donated it to charity.

Dh really does try, but he just can't quite seem to make that leap from either what he likes or what other women he knows like to what I like.

If you didn't want it, you didn't want it. Fair enough. It seems like it was more a case that your DH wanted you to want it and ignored the reality.

Take it back and spend the money on something you do want.

I think it's a great gift for someone who loves gadgets. Perhaps you haven't realised it's full potential? Ipads are amazing for watching catch up tv while you're cooking in the kitchen or listening to podcasts and the radio. Or You Tube documentaries while you're doing chores. Or for Kindles. Reading the news. Playing games.

My worst b'day gift: a bread bin.

Count yourself lucky - get out of your technophobe fog and discover all the wonderful things an ipad could bring you.

I agree with the person who said it was a thoughtless gift. There's no pleasure in receiving something you don't want and the implication is that the giver didn't spend any time working out what you would actually like. Worse, I think, is calling someone 'ungrateful' just because they've been honest enough to say it wasn't what they wanted. If you're going to surprise someone like that, be prepared to get it wrong surely?

I can solve all your woes... give me the iPad

Seriously though I would be over the moon with that gift but then I'm a 'media' type. For you it's a thoughtless and expensive gift!!

Happy Birthday!