Woman finds "$200" from boyfriend on Amazon for just 20 bucks, realizes it was a last-ditch effort to tie her down before university: "I want you to wait"

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Jan 15, 2025 3:00 PM EST

There is a niche little TikTok trend going around at the moment: "How women buy gifts for their boyfriends vs. how boyfriends buy gifts for their girlfriends." Women walk around, picking up objects and explaining their reasoning behind their choices. They say things like, "This looks exactly like his childhood dog." Or, "He loves gardening, and this had amazing reviews on Amazon." Then, they imitate their partners picking out gifts for them, opting for random "girly" things or even hygiene products. The videos are funny because they are an exaggeration of an existing phenomenon wherein in women are more likely to present a thoughtful and sentimental gift and men tend to go for more practical things. It really isn't uncommon for women to be in charge of gift-giving for holidays — even their own — lest they end up with the only empty stocking on Christmas morning.

In our story today, a young man gifts his girlfriend a promise ring, despite the fact that she has adamantly expressed disinterest in such a thing. On top of that, he lies to her face about the price! After a bit of context, it becomes clear that the gesture was meant to win her over before she left for uni. Scroll down for more deets. 

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  • 01

    My bf 18/M got me 18/F an upsetting Christmas gift.

    "He lied about the price, saying he got it at Walmart for $200, and that he had it engraved by someone he knows. A quick Amazon search shows the same couple rings for $20."
    via pixelshot

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I 18/F have been dating a guy called Chris 18/M for around 4 months. Great guy, we have our arguments but it's whatever. He's been talking about marrying me before I go to college which i'm scared of. I've told him I want to wait and he said 'of course. The problem is he keeps hinting towards it.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 03
    Comments like "oh this $2,000 ring would look nice on you" or "I can't wait to marry and have kids with you". I don't like moving that fast but i've dealt with the comments.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 04
    Well, for Christmas I went to see my family in the city and while I was up there I ordered some gifts for him. Nothing too crazy; I got him a nice insulated beanie for hunting, a camo blanket, and a hat and hoodie off his favorite rappers official site. Altogether it was around $90, fairly typical for a Christmas haul.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10453840128
    via pixelshot

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    When I got back he said that he had gotten me a gift. He told me he wanted to give it to me now instead of waiting a week until Christmas. I told him "no I want you to wait" but he didn't listen and gave it to me anyway.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 07
    It was a small heart shaped box with a ring inside it with our names. He had the match to mine. It's a promise ring. Well when Christmas came around he had nothing to give me. I was a little sad when Chris was opening his presents and getting excited about it, I don't know why.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114

  • She felt sad because that is just embarrassing. It demonstrates in front of her family that he is not thoughtful at all. He was so excited to give her a gift she didn't want that he gave it to her early, leaving her empty-handed and disappointed by the gesture on Christmas.

  • 08
    I showed my parents what he had got me and they both said it was cute but how I felt about it. I told them I wasn't happy that that's all he got me knowing my interests and my disinterest in having a ring. My father told me it's the thought that counts but i'm fairly certain it was what Chris wanted.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10453839872
    via Photographer by Daisy

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    He lied about the price, saying he got it at Walmart for $200 and that he had it engraved by someone he knows. A quick Amazon search shows the same couple rings for $20. I didn't want to confront him about it on the grounds of he would be deeply upset that I don't like it.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 11
    How do I approach this? TLDR: Bf got me a ring which I didn't want and is expecting me to be happy about it. Update: He lost his ring in the shower drain lol.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114

  • She could approach this by breaking up with him. They're so young, and there is absolutely no reason for her to be tied down to some guy back home who doesn't listen to her while she is in university. 

  • 12
    EDIT: I want to clarify that my father is also on my side. When this initially happened both of my parents said it was a nice ring and "it's the thought that counts". When they realized that was ALL he got me then the tunes changed. My father is completely on my side I promise.
    via u/Lost_Carrd9114
  • 13
    ArmyCatMilk Yeah, this is too much. I'm unnerved for your sake, not just because of the gift, but because how he keeps trying to force the idea of marriage after 4 months when you were clear that wasn't something you wanted right now. "It's the thought that counts"
    via u/ArmyCatMilk
  • 14
    Ok and what was that thought? Based on his behavior this was the best that Chris could do regarding getting you to marry him for now. Why isn't your father more concerned and protective of you? Have you told your father absolutely everything and how it's made you feel? My papa bear mode would be activated if my daughter was in this position.
    via u/ArmyCatMilk
  • 15
    Is your mom in the picture? This is troubling behavior because he's not respecting you as a person and has already shown that he's willing to lie (about the ring) if it can manipulate you into doing what he wants.
    via u/ArmyCatMilk
  • 16
    versusgorilla | Ok and what was that thought? This is good, and I was going to ask something similar. If he gave OP a promise ring, what's the promise?? Because all he did was lie and ruin Christmas, so what's the promise?
    via u/versusgorilla
  • 17
    Moki_Canyon The promise is to lie, and think only of myself. To be threatened by the idea of you going off to college, of having a life. Of having a career. To always claim you're worth $ 200, when you're really only worth $20.
    via u/Moki_Canyon
  • 18
    Lost Card9114 OP My mom is on my side about this. Dad's protective but he likes Chris and wants to see the good in him.
    via u/Lost_Card9114
  • 19
    Notreallyme48 Your Dad is not the one that would be married and then trapped in this relationship. You must consider your choice, your standard for man who will become a husband. He's already failed in all the major categories and then some deal breaker things he are doing only lead to bigger and worse things.
    via u/Notreallyme48
  • 20
    Yassssmaam Exactly OP is feeling uncomfortable and disappointed. Her mom supports listening to herself and her dad is trying to use "logic" to support someone who makes OP feel bad.
    via u/Yassssmaam
  • 21
    Arguing with someone about their feelings is very common, but it's totally dysfunctional. You can't logic your way out of a feeling. If you don't like something, that's information. You're entitled to set boundaries. You need the information gained from your feelings in order to know where your boundaries should be.
    via u/Yassssmaam
  • 22
    JagmeetSingh2 Yes this is a lot of red flags
    via u/JagmeetSingh2
  • 23
    TotallyGenericPerson He's giving you early warning signs of what a life would be like with him. He is going to want everything his way and God forbid in the future to disagree with him and he takes out on you. I think you kinda already know what's going on, your gut is telling you something, that's why you've come here to ask about it.
    via u/TotallyGenericPerson
  • 24
    If I were you, considering you guys are both still young and haven't been dating that long, I'd probably back off before it gets anymore serious. I was in a similar position to you at a similar age, and I PROMISE there are guys out there who will respect your boundaries and not pressure you into positions you don't want to be in. Remember the vibes this guys gives you, and don't give attention to those types guys in the future. This is a story as old as time in afraid.
    via u/TotallyGenericPerson
  • 25
    wigglepie | Update: He lost his ring in the shower drain lol. This relationship, just like your bf's ring, may be... (•_•) (•_•) >-- circling the drain
    via u/wigglepie
  • 26
    Cheezburger Image 10453840384
    via askinshin

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 27
    Lucky-Technology-174 Don't date someone who lies to you. Have some self respect.
    via u/Lucky-Technology-174
  • 28
    AA dogsandwine Especially if the lie is about jewelry from wal mart my god, girl you're 18. Sounds like you're going to college. There's a huge world out there and so many people you are going to meet. Say peace out to this guy and look towards your future!!
    via u/dogsandwine
  • 29
    maybeCheri 100% this. As soon as I saw he's a "great guy" I'm thinking, yeah it's all down hill from here. Great guys don't lie. Think about the fact that this is supposed to be the best time when you are putting forth the best version of yourself. You deserve better!! Keep repeating this until you believe it. You deserve better!!!
    via u/maybeCheri
  • 30
    swigbar The whole beginning part is love bombing. Google it. Promises of a grandiose future together which makes you wonder because you barely know this person
    via u/swigbar
  • 31
    No_Newspaper8050 This guy seems awfully selfish. It seems like he wants to lock you down before you go off to college and realize there are far better people out there.
    via u/No_Newspaper8050
  • 32
    He put his wants and needs before your own, pressures you about marriage/kids despite knowing you dislike it, and even had the audacity to lie about the gift he basically got for himself. Leave himm
    via u/No_Newspaper8050
  • 33
    Texas_Blondie Don't date someone who buys you presents for themselves. Huge red flag. Don't date someone who lies to you so easily.
    via u/Texas_Blondie

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boyfriend christmas presents promise reddit story relationships parenting girlfriend couples love reddit thread Reddit relationship drama engagement ring dating
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