“Run Before It’s Too Late”: Fiancé’s ‘Wrong’ Christmas Gift Has The Internet In Its Feelings

A woman’s disappointment over a Christmas gift has snowballed into a full-blown relationship debate online.

On December 27, 2025, a TikTok user, @223in2023, also known as Cloe, shared a video that has garnered over 8.3 million views, explaining why the mug her fiancé bought her wasn’t what she wanted.

What began as a seemingly harmless unboxing quickly turned into heated discourse among the viewers, who overwhelmingly criticized the woman.

“Her lack of communication is not his problem,” said one user.

“Not what I was going for”: A woman from NYC documented her fiancé’s failed mug gift on TikTok

Woman in a kitchen gesturing with hands near a box, illustrating fiancé’s mug gift sparking relationship debate online.

Image credits: 223in2023

In the video, Cloe explained that she had asked her fiancé for “one very specific gift,” a latte mug shaped more like a bowl.

“I want, like, a bowl, a mug that’s like a bowl,” she said, cupping her hands to illustrate the shape she had in mind. Before opening the box, she told viewers, “I’m gonna unbox on camera and see if he got it right.”

Person unwrapping a mug gift from fiancé, sparking a huge relationship debate online in a modern kitchen setting.

Image credits: 223in2023

When she revealed the mug, her reaction was immediate.

“Oh, that’s not… that’s not what it looks like,” she said, visibly deflated. “This is not at all what I wanted. Whomp. Whomp. Not what I was going for.”

Meanwhile, her fiancé, who was off-camera, didn’t miss the shift in her tone. “You clearly don’t [like it],” he replied after she half-heartedly tried to recover with, “No, I like it.”

Woman smiling while holding a mug gift from fiancé, sparking a huge relationship debate online.

Image credits: 223in2023

Although Cloe later explained in the caption that her fiancé knew it was “a shot in the dark” and that she was grateful he tried, viewers weren’t convinced, as several began to question what the moment revealed about their relationship.

The internet debates over a woman posting her fiancé’s failed efforts online

Comment from HanSolo discussing preferences for a large latte bowl mug in a relationship debate online.

Comment on social media discussing fiancé’s mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate online.

Woman holding a mug gift from fiancé, sparking huge relationship debate online with mixed emotions visible.

Image credits: 223in2023

The backlash was swift and brutal as a large portion of viewers felt Cloe’s disappointment came off as unnecessarily public.

“Imagine getting someone a gift, and they laugh at you and say ‘whomp whomp,’” one commenter wrote.

Others pointed out what they saw as a communication failure. “She should’ve just sent him a picture of what she actually wanted,” said one netizen.

Woman holding up a brown mug gift from fiancé, sparking a huge relationship debate online about the present.

Image credits: 223in2023

Meanwhile, some commenters sympathized with the fiancé, arguing that her description was vague. “Guys, wtf is a French latte bowl and how was he supposed to know what that is?” one person asked. “I sure as hell don’t, so I don’t blame him.”

But the most dramatic reactions were focused on the relationship itself, as several detractors warned the guy to “run.”

“Buddy, run before it is too late. Don’t ask for the ring back, just run!” one echoed.

Despite Cloe’s disappointment, she was grateful for her fiancé’s efforts

Woman in pink shirt presenting a ceramic mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate online about fiancé’s intentions.

Image credits: 223in2023

Not everyone thought Cloe was at fault. A handful of commenters defended her honesty.

“I think he did great due to the description she gave him,” one wrote, while another said, “She wanted a LARGE bowl mug that looks cool. Easy peasy.”

Social media comment debating a fiancé’s mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate online.

User social media comment discussing a fiancé’s mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate online.

“Not a latte mug, all he needed to do was Google it,” added a third commentator.

Apparently, Cloe’s video isn’t an isolated case, as social media has been flooded with posts where people publicly vent about their partners’ shortcomings.

The viral “bad fiancé” posts are becoming a recurring internet phenomenon

Woman in pink shirt pouring milk into a coffee mug, highlighting fiancé’s mug gift sparking relationship debate online.

Image credits: 223in2023

Over the years, several viral stories have featured women sharing humiliating gifts from their fiancé.

For instance, one woman shared that her partner brought her groceries as a Christmas present, which sat unrefrigerated under the tree for two days.

Another incident noted a boyfriend who surprised his partner by shaving her ba**s, while another cut off his dreads as a gift for his girlfriend’s birthday.

Person in a pink shirt drinking from a mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate online in a modern kitchen setting

Image credits: 223in2023

@223in2023I fear I’m the cuff link guy, but side note if anyone knows what I’m talking about and has links, send them my way. Also I promise he’s not upset about this, he knew it was a shot in the dark because I was being so confusing, also I’m very grateful that he really tried to see my vision♬ original sound – Cloe

In many cases, commenters weren’t just critiquing the gift; they were actually diagnosing the relationship.

One netizen bluntly summed up the trend on Cloe’s video, “The bad husband posts where the woman doesn’t want to hear it is a cultural thing.”

From gifting a waist trainer to a can of dairy cold foam, the internet is quick to turn everyday relationship moments into cautionary tales.

 “He followed directs perfectly,” said one netizen

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a fiancé’s mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate about running.

Comment on social media about relationship communication issues sparking a huge debate online.

Screenshot of an online relationship debate comment saying that poor man, related to fiancé’s mug gift controversy.

Comment on social media with text he followed directs perfectly sparking relationship debate online about fiancé’s mug gift.

Comment saying Buddy, run before it is too late, relating to fiancé’s mug gift sparking huge relationship debate online.

Comment on social media saying I don’t understand her either, highlighting relationship debate online.

Comment on a social media post about a fiancé’s mug gift saying he did a good job, sparking relationship debate online.

Screenshot of a social media comment reacting to a fiancé’s mug gift igniting a huge relationship debate online.

Online comment discussing fiancé’s mug gift that ignited huge relationship debate about he needs to run.

Screenshot of a social media comment debating a fiancé’s mug gift with the phrase he needs to run sparking relationship opinions online.

Comment from Legal Mexican discussing relationship debate sparked by fiancé’s mug gift with mixed feelings and criticism online.

Comment on social media about a fiancé’s mug gift sparking a huge relationship debate online.

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