For my birthday, my spouse got me a nicer newer expensive version of a thing I already have. The one I have is older and dented but works just fine. I use it weekly. I never complain about it. I’ve never asked for a newer one. The one I have was given to me by my mother in law, whom I adore. It’s sentimental.
I don’t like new things. When they got me a 3d printer, it was the cheapest one and it was a kit and I had to build myself. I loved it. It’s perfect for me. I regularly buy things used or get things from Buy Nothing groups. I much prefer to repair old things in many ways. My car has over 100k miles. The one before did too. I don’t like new things.
We got into a huge argument because I want to return it. They are so upset with me that they left the house to calm down. Why am I the bad person? Why are they mad at me? I have a very clear tendency for old broken used things. Why am I obligated to like this new thing?
We literally established a rule early in our marriage. I’m not allowed to gift nerdy t shirts. They don’t like them. I love them. I thought they would like them but they do not. So they asked me to stop. This feels the same. I do not like new things. Why am I the bad guy for wanting to return the newer version of the thing I already have?
Because this isn’t a regular behavior. Ignoring a potential abnormality will just complicate their life. They didn’t diagnose anyone, please learn to read.
There’s nothing abnormal about being not wanting to receive something that you don’t need, something that you specifically dislike, already have, or find excessive, or otherwise won’t enjoy or be able to fit into your experience.
https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2024/12/27/returning-holiday-gifts-amazon-target-walmart-gift-return-policies/77262617007/
It’s clearly not abnormal for gifts to not hit the mark. OP isn’t going anywhere - their spouse is free to try giving them a gift again after understanding their preferences. If one intends on giving a gift to someone, why not also intend on having a desire and persistence to make it a really nice gift for them? What’s the point otherwise?