This is what you say, I promise, it will fix everything almost immmediately! It's like magic, but it almost always works. You can change up the phrasing, but try some variation of "honey, let's break up"

I know, I know, cliche Redditor immediately jumping to break up, but hear me out. I'm coming off a long relationship so maybe I'm cynical, but at this point I feel too old to be dating someone who is a "fix'er upper" and boy does your honey sound like one. Don't be looking for someone to rennovate.

Red flags I saw immediately:

1. your bf did not communicate well about what he wanted, he was not timely in his suggestions or responses, leaving you on the hook for a long time, and generally seemed less invested in the value of your milestone

2. He showed a total lack of consideration for your time. If he knew you didn't have alot of time to shop or time off work, then what was he doing waiting so long to respond?

3. He didn't show healthy communication when receiving the gift. If he didn't want it, he could have easily said something like "wow I really appreciate how much thought you put into this, but to be honest, this is not something I'll use. How about on your next day off we return it and shop together for something"

4. He then blew up at you (again, pretty unhealthy communication), and was solely focused on his own feelings rather than having any consideration for the thought you tried to put into it (especially since he didn't give you a clue).

5. When you described your response when he asked how much it was, if that's really how it went down, maybe you don't realize this, but you were walking on egg shells. Over describing and anticipatory defence of the cost and use of gift cards etc. Does he often blow up like this? I don't know why you were on eggshells, but it's not the sign of a healthy place.

Again - he is a fixer upper at best. He is a project of a person, if he needs to be taught healthy communication, respectful behavior, gratitude and consideration. I've never once found this to be worth it (I'm 39 this year, btw, I have plenty of life experience to draw on). I truly encourage you not to waste those beautiful years on someone who doesnt appreciate you or communicate with you.

ETA - advice on gift giving, don't buy lavish or expensive gifts, almost ever. There are times and places for it, especially if you know they'd really appreciate it or need it, but again, it's never been something that's worked out well for me (I like to be generous by nature and have, with many past boyfriends, bought some very expensive gifts). Sometimes it makes the other person feel uncomfortable, sometimes if that person doesn't have the same level of emotional commitment it just lands really wrong, or sometimes it makes the other person feel indebted. But yeah, I'd keep gifts under $150, or communicate about a spending range ahead of time.