Present giving

[miffy63]

For my niece's birthday I gave her a card and gift, for my birthday she gave me just a card. If she no longer wishes to exchange gifts I need to know, but how do I ask her? She's in her twenties and I always thought we were quite close as we're near in age.

[Wagon_Wheel]

Not sure if this is really about the exchange of gifts or whether you want to know if you have fallen out with your niece about something of which you are unaware.

If it's the former why is it important that you exchange gifts? Surely you can go on giving her gifts without the expectation of receiving one yourself?

If it's the latter, then honesty and candidness are always better in my opinion, especially if you are both near in age and have usually gotton on with eachother. Try giving her a call and arranging to meet up for a drink, etc. If she seems disinclined or makes an excuse that doesn't ring true just ask her if you have done something to upset her and take it from there. It might just be something as simple as the fact that she is skint in which case respect her circumstances and stop worrying. Good luck and let us know how you get on! x

[1955]

If she no longer wants to give you a gift - fair enough - it's up to you whether to keep on giving or stop. You shouldn' t really give with the expectation of getting something back - you should give because you want to. As she didn't get you a gift you could spend less on your next gift to her and then if you don't get a gift on your next birthday you can just stop giving - it's entirely up to you

[joko]

i know you don't give to receive, but its pretty obvious that if it is a sort of tradition and one of you breaks it then its going to seem odd, and have the other feeling a bit miffed - anyone would have to be stupid to think it would go unnoticed.

i suggest just giving her a card next year.

[miffy63]

Thank you for your responses. I have since had a word with my sister, her mum, and it seems I'm not the only one, she's been forgetting other people too including her dad!

[dancecaller]

I find present buying an unnecessary chore so I have agreements not to do it.
The idea of presents that are probably not what people want seems so wasteful.
But then i hate shopping and exchanging vouchers seems a bit pointless.