A Reddit user is caught in a dilemma after receiving a heartfelt and valuable birthday gift from a long-time friend, which has made her boyfriend uncomfortable. As the argument over the gift escalates, she wonders if she is being unreasonable for wanting to keep it. Read her full story below and see what you think about this tricky situation.
‘ AITA for wanting to keep an expensive birthday gift that makes my boyfriend uncomfortable?’
When it comes to gifts, the value isn’t always measured in dollars—it’s often defined by the memories and meaning behind them. For a woman celebrating her 25th birthday, this sentiment rang true when her longtime friend Logan gifted her a rare edition of The Great Gatsby, a book tied deeply to their friendship.
Their connection, spanning nearly two decades, had seen them living in different countries for years. Their bond was strengthened by a shared love for the novel, which Logan read at her insistence before they reunited in person after years apart. The book, a symbol of their friendship, became an inside joke between them, making it the perfect birthday gift.
However, what should have been a cherished moment soon turned into a point of contention. Her boyfriend, Matt, who she had been dating for seven months, found the gift inappropriate due to its high price. To him, the idea of another man gifting something so valuable felt uncomfortable. He argued that she should return the book to Logan, suggesting that if it truly meant so much, he should be the one to keep it.
The disagreement escalated, dragging on for days, with opinions divided among family and friends. Her mother suggested temporarily giving the book to Logan to ease Matt’s insecurities, while her father dismissed Matt’s concerns entirely. Some of her girlfriends sympathized with Matt’s discomfort, while others believed he was overreacting.
As she prepares to leave for a birthday trip, she struggles with the question—was she wrong for wanting to keep the book, or was Matt’s jealousy clouding the situation?
