Being in a relationship, especially a new one, is no easy feat during the holidays. You may meet your partner’s friends and family members for the first time during gatherings and feel like you have to live up to rom-com-worthy expectations. Plus, if you celebrate Christmas, you’ll also have to pick the right present.
This 32-year-old man thought he had found the perfect gift for his girlfriend while on a trip to Australia. But, since she earns more than he does and unexpectedly bought herself a more expensive version of the same item, he’s now feeling pretty dejected and worried that she’ll resent him for not spending more.
To give you some background, his girlfriend is 26 years old, and they’ve been together for six months now. According to him, she’s a wonderful girl who also makes a lofty salary. So, she’s able to purchase and enjoy luxury goods, from Cartier to Rimowa, things he hadn’t even heard of before meeting her.
But, while he doesn’t earn nearly as much as his girlfriend, she’s said in the past that she doesn’t care. All that matters to her is that he’s able to sustain himself financially.
“Which I can. And she doesn’t expect me to buy her all this high-class stuff,” he noted.
Well, he recently traveled to Australia and, while there, found an Australian Opal bracelet that he believed would be a great Christmas gift.
The bracelet is sterling silver with a small opal, but despite being simple, he thought it’d be nice since his girlfriend could wear it every day. Moreover, she didn’t have a bracelet like that yet.
The only problem is that he bought the bracelet for around $67. Then, his girlfriend went away for a trip of her own and randomly told him that she was planning to buy a similar piece for her collection: just a much more expensive version.
“She mentioned to me that she is planning to get the Juste Un Clou and was planning to use it as an everyday bracelet. It’s a Cartier brand that’s very expensive,” he revealed.
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In fact, it costs thousands of dollars, and honestly, he doesn’t think his present can compete with that. He apparently did buy his girlfriend a few other items, such as some candles and a glass straw.
“But suddenly, I just feel like the gifts I got her won’t even compare to the gifts she bought me (price-wise) from her holiday destination, and over time, she will resent me for not being able to afford things like this,” he admitted.
Again, his girlfriend has told him in the past that it’s the intent and thought behind his presents that matter most to her. Regardless, he can’t help but feel like, deep down, she’s going to be wishing she got more on Christmas.
“And I do not blame her for thinking that way. She deserves the best, but it’s sadly not the best I can afford or be,” he vented.
Now, with the holiday right around the corner, he can’t help but wonder if his gift truly is too “horrendously cheap” for his girlfriend. Or, if he’s just being silly and overreacting.
Does it sound like his girlfriend is already aware of his financial situation and doesn’t care about the material things he can provide? Should he stop comparing their means and feel confident in his present? What would you do?
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By Katharina Buczek
Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing in... More about Katharina Buczek
