Anonymous wrote:The polite response is, "Thank you."

You can give them to Goodwill or a thrift shop. Someone will be thrilled to get them for $5.

Me actually. Let's cut out the middleman, just leave them on my porch. TX.

There's a difference between him buying you something you didn't really need vs something you have zero interest in. It's clear that you do actually wear workout pants so there isn't really an issue here.

I have to laugh as I read these responses, especially from women. In all the past threads where a wife says she can't stand her husband's t-shirts or his cargo shorts or whatever style of clothing he likes and wears, the answer is always "throw the old ones out when he's not looking!" Or "buy him all the slim fit uncomfortable ugly button downs you like to replace his old ones!" As if he's supposed to bow down and be thankful to you for buying him a bunch of clothes he can't stand.

And, now, here you all are, crucifying OP's husband for doing probably the exact same thing you tell the women to do. Y'all need professional help. Seriously. --a woman

I think the reason could be one of the two below.
1. You have gained a lot of wait and he is dropping hints for you (although I doubt that since you say you are a small size)
2. He sees other women out and about in workout clothes and thinks they are hot. Being a faithful husband, he would rather look at his hot wife in figure hugging clothes.

Anonymous wrote:Be happy he got you a present.

Wow. The things we accept from men.

Give him a gift you specifically know he does not want on his next birthday, and see how he reacts. Then take it from there. If he's gracious, never say a word. If he complains, remind him how shitty it is to receive an unwanted gift.

My DH says, "Don't buy me shirts, I don't need any" and the truth is his are 17 years old (not kidding) and he needs new ones. So I say, yes you need them I'm buying them.
I put the new shirts in the closet, he tries them on and what do you know? He loves them.
Why do I tell this story, I don't know but maybe we women do the same thing to men...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband has also done this kind of thing. Years ago we had an entire conversation about pearls and I clearly said that I didn't like them and wouldn't wear them. They just weren't my style. I opened my birthday gift and it was a pearl necklace. I reminded DH of the conversation we previously had and he told me that he thought about it but believed that every classy woman should have some pearls. I was flabbergasted that he had completely ignored my opinion and I returned them. Now DH asks me what I want for gifts and I greatly prefer that even though it's not a surprise.

Man here. Sometimes men like a certain look on a woman. They see it on someone else and think "my wife would look great in that/those." I guess I'm lucky. I have a wife that wants to wear things I like.

She doesn't have her own opinion about what she likes?

Ya don't say....I don't really....what you say is...Thanks for the thought but DON'T buy me workout clothes, I will do that myself...but if you want to get me something for my birthday here is a list.

Anonymous wrote:My husband did something similar. I made a big deal about it and now he never buys me any gifts. Ever. Says he won't again. He hands me a card with cash on my bday and Christmas. It's been 4 years... I'm happy he remembers but I regret ever complaining.

Men solve problems. It's what they do. Your husband solved his problem and never has to worry about getting you the wrong thing and being bitched out about it ever again. Win for DH.

AND win for you too, because you always get exactly what you want. Seriously, GC'c are the best gift ever.

Anonymous wrote:My husband has also done this kind of thing. Years ago we had an entire conversation about pearls and I clearly said that I didn't like them and wouldn't wear them. They just weren't my style. I opened my birthday gift and it was a pearl necklace. I reminded DH of the conversation we previously had and he told me that he thought about it but believed that every classy woman should have some pearls. I was flabbergasted that he had completely ignored my opinion and I returned them. Now DH asks me what I want for gifts and I greatly prefer that even though it's not a surprise.

Man here. Sometimes men like a certain look on a woman. They see it on someone else and think "my wife would look great in that/those." I guess I'm lucky. I have a wife that wants to wear things I like.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband did something similar. I made a big deal about it and now he never buys me any gifts. Ever. Says he won't again. He hands me a card with cash on my bday and Christmas. It's been 4 years... I'm happy he remembers but I regret ever complaining.
Btw- he loves how I look in workout clothes so agree with everyone that your DH may have had a motive. Put them on for him and next year tell him exactly what you want.

Is your husband always this passive-aggressive?

+1 I guess he showed you, geez! Still paying for that mistake 4 years later? What a jerk!!

Be happy he got you a present.

Anonymous wrote:My husband did something similar. I made a big deal about it and now he never buys me any gifts. Ever. Says he won't again. He hands me a card with cash on my bday and Christmas. It's been 4 years... I'm happy he remembers but I regret ever complaining.
Btw- he loves how I look in workout clothes so agree with everyone that your DH may have had a motive. Put them on for him and next year tell him exactly what you want.

Is your husband always this passive-aggressive?

My husband did something similar. I made a big deal about it and now he never buys me any gifts. Ever. Says he won't again. He hands me a card with cash on my bday and Christmas. It's been 4 years... I'm happy he remembers but I regret ever complaining.
Btw- he loves how I look in workout clothes so agree with everyone that your DH may have had a motive. Put them on for him and next year tell him exactly what you want.