has exchanging birthday presents become a hassle as you grew older?
By squaretile
@squaretile (3778)
Singapore
June 7, 2007 3:02am CST
it's so easy buying presents for children.
but as one grows older, do you find that exchanging presents with your friends becomes a hassle? You have to figure out what the person would like... most of our friends don't lack anything anymore, since they have the buying power to buy whatever it is within our budget to get them.
And the main benefit goes to the retailer (as with valentines etc).
And sometimes it's hard to remember when the birthday is, and then people get upset cos they got you a present but you didn't get them one or vice-versa. Increasingly, I've found that i either
a) agree with my friends not to exchange presents; cards will suffice
b) buy each other a meal as a birthday present. that way we catch up over a meal, and get to try good food that we'd normally not spend on.
2 people like this
7 responses
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
7 Jun 07
I have one friend that I still exchange birthday gifts with. She is my best friend and has been since 3rd grade. We are now 43. We only exchange for birthdays, not Christmas. I love getting her something for her birthday. It usually is a gift bag with a few silly things in it. Maybe a few cute pairs of sock, a notepad, a fun pen. I pick up little things when I see them throughout the year so it isn't a hassle, I like doing it.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
8 Jun 07
I usually will pick up things that you always need~ socks, pens ect. This way it is something that is useful and not clutter. Usually we go for lunch also and the birthday girl is treated. It's not about the present, it's about being able to spend some time with a friend without husbands and kids around.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
that's sweet! Maybe I can do that... but then again, not sure whether my friend will like something like that since it might add to the clutter. We all accumulate so many things as we going along in life!
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
15 Jun 07
Thanks for marking me best response:)
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
15 Jun 07
I used to hate exchanging birthday presents is a hassle. It would be if yours and your friend's are both on the same date. I wonder if you really mean, buying? If so, it does become a problem. For one thing that person might already have it, for another, he might not want it. However I do like receiving presents, and I am sure my husband does as well as my two sons, and my daughter-in-law. We solved the problem by gifting gift certificates to their favorite store and going on for dinner, the one whose birthday it is does not pay while the rest fight among themselves as to who pays the bill.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
16 Jun 07
well, we usually don't fight cos it's easier to just split the bill. Yup, gift vouchers are a good idea, esp if the store is one they definitely like!
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
7 Jun 07
That's why we don't give birthday presents anymore. For close friends, we normally just get together for a meal. Whoever is having his birthday gets to eat free.
For parents, just an ang pow. Don't bother with things - money is ever the more practical choice. :P
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
yes treating in a group also makes the present to the birthday person cheaper for each person heh heh.
yup, cold hard cash is always best. esp with wedding presents!
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
7 Jun 07
Oh I really enjoy giving my friends presents but I guess it's because I don't have many good friends I need to give them presents on their birthdays. I don't like compulsory exchanging of presents during festival time if I don't know the people well enough. Like at work, we will have parties in Christmas and usually everyone needs to bring a present and there will be an exchange of presents with the colleagues at the end of the night. I find it so much harder to buy the present and I find that I don't really enjoy the experience. I love buying presents for people I know well enough so that it would turn out to be useful for them or something they mention they want. But I don't like buying stuff for people whom I know but I am not familiar with.
@huangtyantyan (97)
• Philippines
7 Jun 07
Because as one grows older one losses the gift that only children possesses, its gift of contentment and appreciation.
@paradise12 (938)
• India
8 Jun 07
Well i rarely buy presents for my friends now and sometimes it just becomes formality,i mean if you waant to present anything to some body we can do it anything ,you don't need anything particular ocassion for.even i dont like to any presents form friends.
I normally give a treat to friends in a restaurent and even they do the same thing..
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Jun 07
yeah, i'd rather have a good conversation with them than a present and no catching up.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
7 Jun 07
I agree. With the busy schedule of work and other more pressing matters when you get home (chores, bills, taking care of family.... etc etc), we tend to forget the birthdays of friends. Partly due to the fact that we seldom meet, and partly due to the fact that we are too busy to remember!
Heck, I even forget my own birthday most of the time!
On days that we remember, like you said, a simple treat at a restaurant is so much better. They get a meal as a present, and we get to catch up. So much better, no hassel!
