‘My partner gave me cash instead of Christmas presents – I’m hurt he made no effort’

A mum-of-two was left ‘really hurt’ when her partner handed her cash instead of buying her any Christmas presents – as people say he showed a ‘total lack of effort’

Many of us will have woken up this morning to find a selection of presents under our Christmas trees from our loved ones. And no matter how big or small the gifts were, or how much they cost, the thought that went into selecting each one is what counts.

But one mum-of-two has been left devastated this Christmas, as her partner decided not to buy her any presents, but instead handed her some money to spend on whatever she wants.

The woman said she felt as though she should be “grateful” for the cash as it means she can spend it however she pleases, but she found herself feeling “really hurt” that her partner – whom she has been with for eight years – hadn’t made the effort to find something she would like to unwrap on Christmas Day.

In a post on Mumsnet, she fumed: “My partner has just told me that he hasn’t got me anything for Christmas and that he’s just giving me money. Whilst I’m grateful for the money so that I can buy things I want, I am also really hurt that he hasn’t got me anything at all. Even a bar of chocolate would have been nice!

“We have been together for 8 years and have two young children together. I have done all of the present buying for them and also bought him several nice presents.

“He claims that he didn’t have the time, couldn’t find anything and that I’m too fussy. I’m feeling really hurt but he thinks I’m being unreasonable and should just be grateful for the money!”

She then asked other Mumsnet users: “Am I being unreasonable, or would you be hurt too?”

Commenters on the post sympathised with the mum, as many of them said that while gifts aren’t a requirement at Christmas, the decision to hand over cash instead of buying even one gift shows a “total lack of effort”.

One person said: “It’s the thought that counts – and he hasn’t thought. I’d be hurt too.”

While another added: “I’m sorry, it must be very disappointing he didn’t make the effort. I hope you have a good day anyway.”

And a third posted: “My ex did this sometimes too. I think the total lack of effort is quite hurtful. He could easily have had a conversation with you about things you might like it wouldn’t have been hard. He’s getting defensive because he knows he’s doing the absolute bare minimum here.”

Others suggested the mum use the money to book herself a spa break to take some time for herself, while more criticised the bloke for claiming he didn’t have time to buy her anything – as they said he’s had all year to prepare.

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