SO ANGRY ABOUT HIS MEAN GIFT

Dear Coleen

It was our 10-year wedding anniversary recently and I booked a baby-sitter, made my husband his favourite meal and gave him a gorgeous gold bracelet engraved with mine and the kids’ names on it.

In return, he gave me a DVD which probably cost about £6 from the supermarket.

I was really disappointed and I’m ashamed to say I had a huge go at him. He accused me of being ungrateful and greedy, and I accused him of being mean and thoughtless towards me.

The row pretty much ruined our anniversary meal and we’ve hardly spoken since, other than to be polite in front of the children.

He just can’t see why I’m upset. Who is in the right?

Coleen says

I can see this from both points of view. To be honest I’m more like your husband – I think a film is a good present, especially if he’s put a bit of thought into it.

Did he know you were going to go to such a big effort? If so, then I can see why you’re annoyed.

But if you usually have low-key anniversaries and then you sprung this lovely meal and gold bracelet on him, I can see why he was a bit put out when you got angry. So to cut a long story short, I don’t think either of you are in the wrong.

And I don’t think you should let something like this ruin your marriage. So just sit him down, explain you felt put out because you went to such a big effort, but let him have his say too.

At the end of the day, an anniversary is just one day. What’s the rest of your marriage like? Is he a good bloke who treats you well? If so, forget this silly row.