I've recently expressed to my boyfriend that I want to buy a new vacuum cleaner, we recently moved to a new city and the old one is too big to store in our closet (so it just lives in our hallway and is a tripping hazzard), so I plan on giving the old to a relative who loves it and I want to get myself a new smaller one. I researched online and found one that I really like that is on a sale for less than a 100$. So I asked him to come with me this following weekend and he said no. Why? Because he wants to buy it for me for my birthday (it's next week).

I mean. I do like the vacuum cleaner, it's just that I'd much rather have him buy me something nicer (within the same price range) and I'll buy the vacuum myself. He thinks it's a wonderful gift idea.

I don't plan on arguing, but I would much prefer him to buy me something more gift-appropriate like a perfume or some jewelry. The vacuum cleaner is a thing I need, and I've already decided on purchasing. I don't know why I just find it inappropriate as my birthday gift. I also have a hard time treating myself to anything nice, so if he does get me the vacuum, I'll save the money and wouldn't just buy something nice for myself instead.

He knows exactly the types of things I want and he also knows that I am not a self-treater.

If he does buy it, I'll still be happy and everything, I just feel weird about it now.

What do you think?