My girlfriend wants me to burn an actual CD for our anniversary and I think it's an absurd request.
By @danalately · Relationships
She thinks it would be a romantic, nostalgic gift. I don't own a computer with a CD drive, I have no idea where to even buy blank CDs in 2026, and a Spotify playlist accomplishes the exact same thing.
The full story
For our upcoming anniversary, my girlfriend told me her perfect gift would be a throwback to how we met in high school: a personalized mixtape. The catch is, she wants it on a physical CD. My position is that this is an incredibly impractical request. My laptop doesn't have a disc drive—most don't. I'd have to buy an external one. Then I'd have to find a store that still sells blank CDs and CD cases. After all that, I still have to find the MP3 files, which I haven't downloaded in years because of streaming services. I suggested a compromise: I'll make her a meticulously curated Spotify playlist, complete with custom cover art I can design. To me, it serves the same purpose and is all about the song selection and the thought behind it. She's arguing that the effort is the point. they says the inconvenience of having to track down all the old tech is what makes it romantic. She thinks the fact that it's difficult shows I care more. I feel like it's an inefficient and somewhat pointless project when a digital alternative exists that is faster, easier, and delivers the same final product—a list of songs. I want to do something romantic, but this feels like a manufactured inconvenience.
How people voted
- Bad Move — 28% (45 votes)
- Needs Context — 42% (66 votes)
- Reasonable — 30% (47 votes)
Readers say “Needs Context” (42%) — 158 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@owenliterally — this reminds me of when my bf tried to make me sourdough bread from scratch and got mad that i just wanted him to buy a loaf from the store. some people really do think effort is the whole point.
@lanetbh — I would buy the dumbest looking portable CD player from like, goodwill, and gift it to her with the CD. make it her problem to figure out how to play it.
@brynnkindof — so romantic to be sent on a wild goose chase for obsolete technology.
@milo — Doesn't she have a car with a CD player or any other way to listen to it?
@sageish — A handmade gift is always better than some playlist you click together in 5 minutes.
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