Gift-giving,timing & family near & far

[sfa]

We seem to have settled into a pattern in my family where birthdays are celebrated for immediate family who are in the area during a family get-together, either one arranged specifically for the birthday or one already planned that is just kinda close to the birthday. Often these happen weeks after the birthday, or we'll combine people who have close birthdays into one party. The "party" is casual--dinner at someone's house, or brunch on a weekend. For out of town relatives, we don't do formal celebrations, but we'll deliver gifts the next time we see that person.

On the day of someone's birthday, though, we always get in contact so they know we haven't forgotten them--a call or an email is enough, though. I don't think any of us have ever sent cards through the mail.

Sarah

[shootingstar]

We seem to have settled into a pattern in my family where birthdays are celebrated for immediate family who are in the area during a family get-together, either one arranged specifically for the birthday or one already planned that is just kinda close to the birthday. Often these happen weeks after the birthday, or we'll combine people who have close birthdays into one party. The "party" is casual--dinner at someone's house, or brunch on a weekend. For out of town relatives, we don't do formal celebrations, but we'll deliver gifts the next time we see that person.

On the day of someone's birthday, though, we always get in contact so they know we haven't forgotten them--a call or an email is enough, though. I don't think any of us have ever sent cards through the mail.

Sarah

We have done all of the above combinations. "Party" is always casual but the food dishes themselves could be quite elegant / gourmet style at times.

B-cards: actually I appreciate the occasional real b-card when the family member(s) is living far away. Card can be displayed for a few days. An email is deletable and not every family member phones one another on each other's b-day for good wishes. Family members just have different styles of communication/showing appreciation.

My parents are not computer literate and never will be. So snail cards are appreciated.

[bmccasland]

My family is spread throughout the U.S., and the closest is a 5 hour drive away.

I try to send snail-mail cards even if the person has access to a computer. I still like finding things other than bills, fliers, and magazines in my mail box; thus I think everyone appreciates it too. I will send e-cards to some friends/family but they still get a traditional card. I do my part to help keep the card companies in business.

Presents - I generally don't buy birthday presents unless it's a milestone birthday. That said, I bought a pretty necklace for my sister's birthday last night which I'll give her when I fly to see her in North Carolina next month. As for Christmas - I either buy something and ship, or utilize cataloges and have them send the present for me - usually a living blooming plant.

Last year my mother approached me with the idea of donating to a charity in the other's name instead of giving each other presents - but the rule was to pick a charity that we thought the other would support. She "gifted" me with a forest from Heifer.org, and I "gave" her a donation to a local charity that the TE ladies in Austin, TX helped me find (Mom lives in Austin). This arrangement worked perfectly for the two of us.