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“Your Marriage Is Over”: Woman Doesn’t Know How To Come Back From Husband’s Stunt On Christmas
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.
RELATED:
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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What do you think ?
FreeTheUnicorn 2 weeks ago
You have bigger problems than the gift giving scenario. It doesn't sound like you communicate with each other and there's a lot of games and keeping score. Time apart, maybe forever apart seems like the best move, because if this is both your best efforts, there's no way to have a healthy relationship.
digitalin 2 weeks ago
I almost never say this about AITA, but this one especially reads like a creative writing exercise. The situation is absolutely plausible, but the way it's told feels the way someone would write a first draft and not the way someone would truly recall events.
StarCrossedFriday 2 weeks ago
Well, maybe she just rewrote it several times to get it straight in her own mind. I can imagine how the sheer emotion might make it overwhelming to recall.
Load More Replies...
tjames19701962 2 weeks ago
OP, yes, the daughter was a part of it, but full blame is on her father. I don't advocate divorce willi-nilly, but he married you because he needed a cook, mais and bed-buddy. It will only get worse if you stay leave now before any kids come into the picture.
ToGo 2 weeks ago
If it wasn't the bag this year, it would've been something else next year. Feeling like an after thought, or not a thought at all will grind a person down - especially when it's your partner who's the culprit. She's told him the issue, he's acknowledged it and said he'll do better and nothing has changed. Sadly, she either needs to accept it or leave. I know what I'd do.
Schnitzel 2 weeks ago (edited)
Time for an ultimatum and trust me, I KNOW how this works because been the "new wife" for over 10 years and sh1T has happened in this household. Rule 1: do NOT try to come between your partner and THEIR child. Rule 2: you will NEVER be a mother/father of the truest sense (if other parent is in the picture). Accept it! Now, Rule 1 and 2 does not mean you don't deserve respect, empathy, understanding or basic human rights. If it appears, as in OP case, that these rights are missing, you will put your foot down and say: if this doesn't change, I WILL leave you. If that message doesn't come across, and sticks, you WILL leave.
StumblingThroughLife 2 weeks ago
OP : NTA. It will only get worse. I'd divorce him - that kind of pain will continue, because he's already showed his true colours through the marriage.
Jessica SpeLangm 2 weeks ago
Husband and daughter are AHs. Do as many others suggested and just divorce this man because he's not going to get any better and you deserve better.
tori Ohno 2 weeks ago
Didn't she say that she paid for part of it? That's theft. I'd just steal the purse back and divorce her father.
Ginger ninja 1 week ago
Why would he make OP leave it in the car in the first place? My suspicions are that he always planned on giving it to the daughter because where is this other previously purchased gift he was going to put in the bag? This is not about the iranian yogurt, there are bigger issues here and the bag is just the straw that broke the camels back
Kristen Woehlke 2 weeks ago
I'd go to stepdaughter, wherever she may be. Snatch the purse, dump out her contents on the ground and say "I paid for half of this you f*****g rival. It was meant to be mine, but oh no, you just had to have it along with everything else you spoiled little b***h! Bye Felicia! And bye a*****e husband!
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
I’d say next time he’s out of town she needs to grab his credit card and buy herself the purse, along with enough stuff to make up for all the other gifts she never got from him. Then grab all other assets, put hers as the only name on anything she added him to, and either leave or put his stuff out on the lawn (depending on who owns the house or is on the lease), and immediately file for divorce—-taking him to the cleaners as much as possible. Like Ivana Trump said, “Don’t get even. Get everything!”
Load More Replies...
Happy_Pandalover 2 weeks ago
Like everyone and OP herself wrote: this isn‘t about the gift, the purse or even the husband‘s daughter. This is about the husband disrespecting and not valuing her. This is a onesided relationship, where OP puts in all the effort while the husband does nothing. Also he does not have his daughter in control (not blamimg the daughter here. She is like that because her family lets her).
JoMeBee 2 weeks ago
Just wow. It seems crazy to dissolve a marriage over a purse but it's so much more than that. Does he want a divorce and is just too gutless to bring it up so he's making her miserable enough to initiate? (unfortunately a good friend of my mine did that to his spouse).How could he possibly think this would work itself out??
KatSaidWhat 2 weeks ago
This purse is the straw that broke the donkey's back.
Load More Replies...
Anton Swanepoel 1 week ago
Are these things getting longer, because it seems a lot of these AITA posts are turning into short novels. Get to the bloody point!
Dimitri Stamatis 2 weeks ago
The low self esteem needed to still stay in that one-sided relationship is troubling. But, leaving them stranded was out of bounds, regardless of how bratty the step-daughter was acting.
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
After specifically telling her to leave it in the car instead of taking it inside. Almost like he planned on letting his daughter have it all along.
Load More Replies...
FreeTheUnicorn 2 weeks ago
You have bigger problems than the gift giving scenario. It doesn't sound like you communicate with each other and there's a lot of games and keeping score. Time apart, maybe forever apart seems like the best move, because if this is both your best efforts, there's no way to have a healthy relationship.
digitalin 2 weeks ago
I almost never say this about AITA, but this one especially reads like a creative writing exercise. The situation is absolutely plausible, but the way it's told feels the way someone would write a first draft and not the way someone would truly recall events.
StarCrossedFriday 2 weeks ago
Well, maybe she just rewrote it several times to get it straight in her own mind. I can imagine how the sheer emotion might make it overwhelming to recall.
Load More Replies... tjames19701962 2 weeks ago
OP, yes, the daughter was a part of it, but full blame is on her father. I don't advocate divorce willi-nilly, but he married you because he needed a cook, mais and bed-buddy. It will only get worse if you stay leave now before any kids come into the picture.
ToGo 2 weeks ago
If it wasn't the bag this year, it would've been something else next year. Feeling like an after thought, or not a thought at all will grind a person down - especially when it's your partner who's the culprit. She's told him the issue, he's acknowledged it and said he'll do better and nothing has changed. Sadly, she either needs to accept it or leave. I know what I'd do.
Schnitzel 2 weeks ago (edited)
Time for an ultimatum and trust me, I KNOW how this works because been the "new wife" for over 10 years and sh1T has happened in this household. Rule 1: do NOT try to come between your partner and THEIR child. Rule 2: you will NEVER be a mother/father of the truest sense (if other parent is in the picture). Accept it! Now, Rule 1 and 2 does not mean you don't deserve respect, empathy, understanding or basic human rights. If it appears, as in OP case, that these rights are missing, you will put your foot down and say: if this doesn't change, I WILL leave you. If that message doesn't come across, and sticks, you WILL leave.
StumblingThroughLife 2 weeks ago
OP : NTA. It will only get worse. I'd divorce him - that kind of pain will continue, because he's already showed his true colours through the marriage.
Jessica SpeLangm 2 weeks ago
Husband and daughter are AHs. Do as many others suggested and just divorce this man because he's not going to get any better and you deserve better.
tori Ohno 2 weeks ago
Didn't she say that she paid for part of it? That's theft. I'd just steal the purse back and divorce her father.
Ginger ninja 1 week ago
Why would he make OP leave it in the car in the first place? My suspicions are that he always planned on giving it to the daughter because where is this other previously purchased gift he was going to put in the bag? This is not about the iranian yogurt, there are bigger issues here and the bag is just the straw that broke the camels back
Kristen Woehlke 2 weeks ago
I'd go to stepdaughter, wherever she may be. Snatch the purse, dump out her contents on the ground and say "I paid for half of this you f*****g rival. It was meant to be mine, but oh no, you just had to have it along with everything else you spoiled little b***h! Bye Felicia! And bye a*****e husband!
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
I’d say next time he’s out of town she needs to grab his credit card and buy herself the purse, along with enough stuff to make up for all the other gifts she never got from him. Then grab all other assets, put hers as the only name on anything she added him to, and either leave or put his stuff out on the lawn (depending on who owns the house or is on the lease), and immediately file for divorce—-taking him to the cleaners as much as possible. Like Ivana Trump said, “Don’t get even. Get everything!”
Load More Replies... Happy_Pandalover 2 weeks ago
Like everyone and OP herself wrote: this isn‘t about the gift, the purse or even the husband‘s daughter. This is about the husband disrespecting and not valuing her. This is a onesided relationship, where OP puts in all the effort while the husband does nothing. Also he does not have his daughter in control (not blamimg the daughter here. She is like that because her family lets her).
JoMeBee 2 weeks ago
Just wow. It seems crazy to dissolve a marriage over a purse but it's so much more than that. Does he want a divorce and is just too gutless to bring it up so he's making her miserable enough to initiate? (unfortunately a good friend of my mine did that to his spouse).How could he possibly think this would work itself out??
KatSaidWhat 2 weeks ago
This purse is the straw that broke the donkey's back.
Load More Replies... Anton Swanepoel 1 week ago
Are these things getting longer, because it seems a lot of these AITA posts are turning into short novels. Get to the bloody point!
Dimitri Stamatis 2 weeks ago
The low self esteem needed to still stay in that one-sided relationship is troubling. But, leaving them stranded was out of bounds, regardless of how bratty the step-daughter was acting.
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
After specifically telling her to leave it in the car instead of taking it inside. Almost like he planned on letting his daughter have it all along.
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