[Pyramid*]

OP- that's nonsense. Aaron did not for one second pretend or make out or take credit. He hardly uttered a word, was obviously completely embarrassed, was made to look a fool and was put in the most awkward and horrible position ever - it was clear he didn't know what to do or so at that point.

Given that Louise busted a gut to tell Tom & Alex how much 'us two' paid each for the gifts - right at the point of presenting the gifts - and she kept banging on about how much they had paid for them long after they'd been sat at the table: proves that Aaron was spot on. They didn't do it out of selfishness: it was a totally selfish act: one designed to make them look good - and spending money that they do not actually have as yet.

Proven again when Louise was in the bedroom after her and Jay 'bought' the gifts: with her bitching about Alex using her stuff etc and her saying "You don't give to receive.... BUT...."