I spent thousands on my wife’s birthday but she said I was tight

DEAR DEIDRE: I SPENT thousands on my wife’s 40th birthday – but her ungrateful reaction floored me completely.

I’m 37 and we’ve been together for seven years.

Knowing how materialistic she is, I went all-out for the landmark. I worked overtime to get the money together.

She was pleased with her Louis Vuitton bag, which cost nearly £2,000, though she immediately checked to see if it was authentic.

My other present didn’t go down well. It was a Dyson hairdryer.

Of course, my wife had to look up its value. Apparently it costs £120 less than the latest model, the Dyson Air Wrap.

She said I was cheap and tight with money, got huffy and wouldn’t talk to me for a week.

No matter what I do, it’s never enough.

I don’t think I can cope with another birthday.

DEIDRE SAYS: You do not need to keep putting yourself through this.

Your wife is being unreasonable. Expensive gifts don’t mean you love someone – and can’t make you love someone.

She might have grown up believing the way you show you care for someone is to buy them status gifts.

It is time to put your foot down and have a proper conversation with her.

Explain there is no amount of material gifts that equal your love for her.

It is time for her to stop being so materialistic.

My support pack Standing Up For Yourself will help you get your point across effectively.