Woman leaves her husband stranded at their 2-year anniversary dinner when he gifts her a $100 gift card to his favorite gaming store: 'We can both use it, since you like to watch me play'

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Aug 22, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Anniversaries are supposed to be about celebrating your partner, your love, and your relationship. Not every couple does gifts on their anniversary, but it certainly isn't unusual to get your partner a small gift like flowers, chocolates, or a cute, stuffed animal. However, because an anniversary is meant to celebrate the relationship as a whole, it stands to reason that a gift that benefits both parties would be a reasonable choice. For example, my fiancé bought us a personalized calendar for our anniversary. Each page has a different picture of us from our many years together, which is adorable, and we use it every week to remember each others' schedules. 

One 34-year-old husband claimed to have a similar line of thinking when he bought his wife of 2 years a gift card to his favorite gaming store. He framed it as being something"they could both use" since she "watches him play all the time." For his wife, it was majorly disappointing, especially in the face of her own incredibly thoughtful gift for him: a smart watch he'd been eyeing, his favorite home-cooked meal, and a candlelit dinner. The full story is only a few scroll away – as well as several valid suggestions on how she can spend the money without rewarding him for his behavior. 

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  • 01

    AITA for walking out of my anniversary dinner because my husband gave me a gift that was basically for him?

    Man stands behind woman, covers her eyes, and gives her a surprise gift
    via Moostocker from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    B - So my husband (34M) and I (31F) just hit our 2-year anniversary. I spent weeks saving
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  • 03
    B - up to buy him a smartwatch he had been eyeing. I wrapped it nicely, cooked his favorite meal, and set up candles.
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  • 04
    B - When it came time to exchange gifts, he handed me an envelope. Inside was a $100 gift card... to
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  • 05
    B - his favorite gaming store. He laughed and said, "We can both use it, since you watch me play all the time."
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  • 06
    Couple in a video game store smile upon a game
    via Creatas from Photo Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    B - I just sat there. On our anniversary, my "gift" was literally something for him. I told him how
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  • 08
    B - disappointed I was, and he said I was being ungrateful. I ended up leaving and going to my sister's.
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  • 09
    B - He's still mad, saying I ruined the night. AITA?
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  • 10
    B - Glittering Moose3630 Take the gift card and go to the store. See if there's anything you like. If not, buy some games and
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  • 11
    B - then donate them to a children's hospital. Then know that this will be your entire marriage if he's unwilling to change.
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  • 12
    A box of toys and school supplies for donation
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    B - wkendwench I like this idea and will pile on... just go to the game store and give the card to some random kid. Really make their day.
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  • 14
    B - .they sell Or... if you really want to stick it to him for being an a more than games. Get some T- shirts and wear them around the house as work clothes or
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  • 15
    B - pajamas. Buy some plushies and throw them on the bed on his side. He will have to remove them every night to go to bed and be reminded of his bad behavior. Every. Single. Day.
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  • 16
    B - Vaaliindraa This is great!!, and if you stick around for his birthday next year, get him a kitchen appliance, after all he will eat the food it makes....
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  • 17
    B - Befuddled Polydactyls I hope you took the gift card...and the smartwatch!
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  • 18
    B - GlumPlayings OP Oh I definitely kept the gift card no way was I leaving that behind.
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  • 19
    B - Organic_Start_420 He can keep the gift card she takes the watch and returns it then buy herself something nice
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  • 20
    B - Bright Athlete_8579 Ohhh boy. Ntj but you sure are married to one... It sounds like you handled that in a much calmer way than I would've. Is he always like this?? He seems to have no care or respect for you
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  • 21
    B - GlumPlayings OP He definitely has a pattern of brushing off my feelings, that's why I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it.
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  • 22
    B - Squatingfox Take the gift card, spend it on something you know he can't or won't use. Ask him why he's mad
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  • 23
    B - you used your gift how you wanted. If he admits he did it for selfish reasons tell him to quit being a If he pulls the 'A gift
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  • 24
    B - for us to share' card tell, TELL him what days or times you'll be using the smart watch. Any protests can be met with 'a gift for us to share'.
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  • 25
    B - BecGeoMom In this case, "a gift for us to share" means he plays the game while she watches. And he thinks that's valuable time spent together. He sounds like a real loser in the husband department.
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  • 26
    Close up of hands, one hands another a gift card
    via Creatas from Photo Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 27
    B - Youbeyou9158 Sounds like you got yourself a new smartwatch and he can watch you use it. This is a perfect of male weaponized
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  • 28
    B - incompetence in the form of I don't know what to get my wife so I'll get her something I want. No, no, no. A 34 year old MAN should be able to pay attention to
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  • 29
    B - context clues (as you did) and buy you something YOU want, or utilize good ol' google and figure it out a nice gift. Be aware that
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  • 30
    B - unless this is addressed and you feel he's fully comprehended and made a change, will be the rest of your life. Since he think you're
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  • 31
    B - ungrateful he will eventually stop getting you gifts all together. Do not settle for this behavior 2 years in, because in 10 years you're going to be miserable and getting a divorce.
    via u/GlumPlayings

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relationship advice marriage wife gift gamers married life relationships husband couples love video games red flag Reddit healthy relationship
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