Men often have a reputation for being bad at gift-giving. Whether that’s entirely fair is debatable, but this Redditor’s husband didn’t do much to challenge the stereotype.

For years, he barely put effort into special occasions. This Christmas, however, he finally seemed to make up for it by buying his wife her dream designer purse. Unfortunately, he still managed to ruin the thoughtful gesture by giving the gift away at the last minute—to his daughter. Ouch.

Understandably, his wife was devastated. Read the full story below.

After years of being terrible at gift-giving, the woman’s husband finally bought her dream purse for Christmas

Image credits: prostooleh (not the actual image)

But just when it seemed he had redeemed himself, he ruined it by giving it away

Image credits: Wavebreak Media (not the actual image)

Image credits: shattha pilabut (not the actual image)

Image credits: beststudio (not he actual image)

Image credits: jet-po (not the actual image)

Image credits: Defiant-Mariposa

Why do bad gifts hurt so much?

It goes without saying—having your dream gift taken away from you on Christmas Day by someone you love and trust feels awful. It’s a gut punch, not to mention pretty humiliating. But it raises a bigger question: Why do gifts matter so much to us? And why do we feel so hurt when we receive bad ones?

Disappointment is a part of life, and gifts are no exception. A survey by Wish revealed that 72% of Americans have received a gift so odd or disappointing they were left wondering why it was given at all. Nearly 40% said the gift was so bad they felt outright insulted, while almost 25% shared that it even led to an argument.

At first glance, it might seem strange to get upset over something someone bought or made just for you. After all, gifts are meant to be a thoughtful gesture—an expression of care, love, or appreciation. They’re not technically a requirement, but more of a symbolic way to show someone voluntarily wanted to make you feel special.

And that’s exactly why receiving a bad gift can sting so much. When the present feels thoughtless, completely impractical, or doesn’t reflect who we are, it makes us question: Does this person really know me? Do they care enough to try?

On top of that, there’s often pressure to pretend we’re happy with a disappointing gift. According to the same Wish survey, nearly 80% of Americans believe they’ve mastered the art of the fake smile, claiming they’re great at faking enthusiasm when opening a bad present. But it doesn’t stop there—many of us feel obligated to hold onto the gift, regift it, or keep it on display just to avoid hurting the other person’s feelings.

However, when a gift does hit the mark, it leaves a lasting impact. It can make us feel seen, valued, and connected. The right present can create meaningful memories, strengthen relationships, and become something we treasure for years. We show it off, tell stories about it, and feel genuinely loved because of the thought behind it.

So if you’ve ever dismissed the importance of gift-giving—or the hurt that comes from getting it wrong—this is a great reminder that putting in a little extra effort can go a long way.

Image credits: tiko33 (not the actual image)

Readers felt deeply upset for the woman, calling her husband’s actions terrible

One commenter shared a similar experience

While others suggested she was also to blame for not leaving him

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