So my boyfriend and I have been together for over three years. Every year for Christmas, his birthday, our anniversary, etc I get him a gift. Sometimes it’s a box of homemade cookies and others it’s a more expensive gift. I always take the time to pick his gifts. I think about what he likes, wants, needs, etc. For example, I got him a record player last year because he has a large record collection but he’d broken his record player. I got him one that was better than his old one, not top of the line but more expensive and it was excellent quality. He opened it and set it up- then told me the hinges on the cover were cheap, but otherwise it was nice. No thank you or anything. I brushed it off. Thinking he’d just forgotten to say thank you.

Well my birthday just passed and I opened his gift. He’s always gotten me things like candy, cat toys and other small things. I never cared because he’d get my favourite candy or something. But, this year he gave me socks. I HATE socks. Like seriously hate them. Like how some women hate bras? That’s me with socks. They’re these thick woolly things- Id never wear them. Ever. They’re the kind of socks I complain about (believe me I whine about my socks- it’s not like he didn’t know) I just feel hurt. It’s like he didn’t even think about me when he got me a gift.

He goes on and on about how people should get thoughtful gifts. He praises people for thoughtful gifts they’ve given him. Now thinking back, he’s never done that with mine. I honestly don’t remember him ever saying thank you. Not even for cookies. He could’ve bought me anything- candy, a card, whatever. It could’ve been homemade or even taking me to dinner (and not even an expensive dinner). Honestly I’d prefer just a simple ‘Happy Birthday’ over socks. But, it was something I hate which to me feels like he doesn’t care. I feel so unappreciated. Like no matter what gift I give it’s not worthy of a thank you and I don’t even deserve a gift that I’d like.

Am I wrong for feeling hurt that he’d buy me a gift I can’t stand? I was taught to say thank you for every gift you get and to always buy a gift with that persons interests in mind. Is it wrong to expect the same?