For birthdays, Do you give presents to recieve presents.?
152637
If someone gave you a present for your birthday, then it's polite to give them one for theirs.  Basically though, give a gift when you feel inclined to, maybe because you're old friends, or family members, or the person helped you out a lot this year.  Don't worry about them feeling like they have to "repay" you for your gift.  Gifts are just that -- gifts -- and they shouldn't be thought of as favors.
842300
No such thing as a "worst present".  Appreciate what you are given. Some people get nothing, and might be grateful for what you class as a "worst present".
905324
I have two boys--they are still young but I love doing this with them.  Since, I already know they are going to get plenty of gifts we start out early--the week after Thanksgiving.  We sort through all of their toys and pick out their favorites (about 5-10).  If the other toys are in a great condition we donate them to a local church or another organization that we may come across.  This is a way to teach them the importance of giving to the less fortunate.\n\nWe decorate the Christmas tree the first Sunday of December.  We are not November decorators.  I really enjoy that.  We all get together and make a really big deal about it.  We put on Christmas music and go around the house adding our little decorations all over the place.  They boys get an ornament every year.\n\nWe make it special to make Santa a belief but also focus on baby Jesus.  I enjoy getting their gifts from Santa.  We will be getting them only three gifts from ourselves this year to represent the three gifts baby Jesus got from the wise men.\n\nWe read stories (Twas' The Night Before Christmas, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Miracle of Christmas, A Christmas Carol, etc..) all the way up to Christmas.\n\nWe have a special advent calendar which we use for the kids to count the days down...it's a fun tradition to see my oldest get excited as the days count down.\n\nWe live away from family so we do our own thing for Christmas.  On Christmas even we have a tradition English roast.  We don’t really have a Christmas dinner but soup and sandwiches--it’s a little different but ehh--we like it.  It lets us relax on Christmas day without the worry of cooking a big meal.\n\nThere are so many more things that we do but I doubt you really want to know more--I’ve written a lot already.  I love Christmas.  Tradition, giving, and Christ are very important to me--I make sure to include that with all the excitement of Santa, gifts, and “fun” things that Christmas involves.
808312
Sweets/confectionary are fine to send, so long as it is clearly marked and you must state it is a gift.  Hope this helps.
1161884
This is actually a very good question. At first I was going to answer simply, "'Cause they really don't want anything for their birthday." However, after reading the rest of your question I quite agree with you that they should give some kind of idea of what they'd like.... UNLESS, of course, they really don't want anything.\n\nFor example, both my parents PREFER we are all together on their birthdays. The gift is in the gathering. Tangible gifts mean little to them at their age. How many more ties can my Dad have? He doesn't even WEAR ties anymore. Of course, perfume for Mom doesn't really go out of style but frankly she'd much rather be treated to a nice lunch or supper, or show (theatre).\n\nNow, from the point of view of the person whose birthday is approaching, being asked what they want may put them in an uncomfortable position. What should they say? A DVD? A cd? A pony? How specific should they be?\n\nPerhaps if you can discern their favorite store, a gift card from that store would be quite nice. Present it in a homemade card. Craft something, perhaps, if you have that kind of talent.\n\nPersonally, I'd rather not have a physical gift. It's just one more "thing" I have to find space for and I recently got rid of a lot of stuff to create more space. I prefer to keep it simple: buy me ribs and a couple of ice cold beers. Light a candle placed at the top of a German Chocolate cake, sing to me, join me for that cake (with coffee), then let me nap.
202709
Well, if you ever need to get them a present, take a look at "The Duct Tape Book". I included a link to it on Amazon.
528272
You don't have too, it your own personal choice. Remember, it is all just marketing or tradition:\n\nBirthdays - tradition\nNew Years - just marketing\nValentines Day - not a day for gift giving - just marketing\nEaster/Ostrea - tradition/marketing\nChristmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa - tradition/marketing\nAnniversaries - personal tradition\nSurgeries - personal choice\n\nYou get the point.
947114
Parties are my favorite! If you have a x-mas party, you should play white elephant. everyone brings one gift, but not anything fancy, something weird that no one could expect. Then sit in a circle and everyone has a present in their hands (not their own) and decides if they want to open it or choose some one elses. if they choose the one that is in their hands and open it and can't give it up unless some one else wants it. Same if they choose some one elses present. couple rules: they cant have their own present, and one present can only be passed around 2 times! it is really fun. I think you should have an x-mas party, then you can have hot cocoa, watch x-mas movies, go sledding, bake cookies, etc. but if you have a new years party, you can stay up all nite and have an awesome sleep over! have a great party!
738631
Not yet. But I have a question for you...\n\nIt's my birthday on christmas, do I have to \nbuy gifts? Or is it the thought that counts?\nBecause people nowadays feel\nunappreciated when they recieve nothing \non holidays and I don't grow money trees.\n\nps.\nI'm only 14.
503506
Why not throw your own bday party you cant always rely on someone doing it for you also its not just about presents its about getting all your friends together in 1 place at 1 time friends who make negative comments like you described arent really friends and would be invited. That would teach them theyll miss out not you.
220699
A good surprise party would be to get the person when they are just waking up. Have everybody that, that person knows outside waiting and then once he or she is in the same room have them all scream and shout "Happy Birthday" Also as the day goes on have more surprises such as a gift given every hour, you could also get them concert tickets that same day for there favorite artist. Oh and when your at the concert dont tell them until its finished, and say i have you a once in a life time chance to meet the artist. lol this might be expenisive but hey if money is no problem what the heck throw them something they will remember. If money is short do it the old fashioned way and gather friends and relatives together to celebrate the Bday. HAVE A PARTY!!!!!!!!!
840790
No, cousin you can send some for my birthday too or just because. \nThank you in advance \n\n\n\n\n\n                                                       (just kidding lol)
756097
For what ?there birthday?
1184732
If you want to I think it would be a nice gesture. Gifts are always nice. It shows you are a thoughtful person.
350482
Check out Yahoo! Gift Finder ( http://shopping.yahoo.com/giftfinder/ ). They have good ideas. You click on the occasion ("Birthday" in this case), then gender/age range, then relationship ("father"), then "Lifestyle", then you get a list of suggestions.
834703
MY husband and sons birthdays are.. My husband always got ripped off..christmas/birthday gift.. For our son its not going to happen to him..
444171
We always pass an envelope around. People contribute what they want, and a gift is purchased accordingly. As for refreshments, etc. we all volunteer to bring something. i.e. someone brings cake, someone ice cream, someone drinks, someone plates... you get the idea. Works very well!