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AIBU?

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Feel guilty I never got old friend birthday gift but haven’t spoke

8 replies

waterbru · 12/09/2026 15:25

I was good friends with a neighbour for a few years, we buy each others children birthday gifts and also bought each other gifts. My birthday was in January this year. She bought me a lovely gift, I thanked her and it was all good. Then we stopped speaking, nothing drastic happened but she just seemed to stop speaking to me and likewise I did the same. She seemed to be actively avoiding me, no worries I just continued on with my own life. Her birthday was 2 weeks ago, I didn’t send her a message or buy her a birthday gift, my sons birthday was last week, she sent a card with some money and now I feel awful that I didn’t get her anything. I did of course send a message to thank her for the card and money and wished her well. Aibu to be feeling crap? We also fell out a few years ago, had an actual falling out and it was around my 40th birthday, she didn’t buy me a gift then or wish me a happy birthday (which isn’t why I done the same). I just thought we haven’t spoke in a while why would I give her a gift when we don’t speak now? Ain’t?

OP posts:
Itiswhysofew · 12/09/2026 15:53

How long has the silence been? If she has an actual problem with you, she should say something. I'd probably have sent her a card.

waterbru · 12/09/2026 15:57

Silence was 3 and a half months

OP posts:
seahorsessky · 12/09/2026 17:21

You never know what's going on with people. Sometimes people might be really ill/have personal issues and that's why they're not talking. You could try messaging, no point worrying about the gift now but she might be glad to hear from you.

waterbru · 12/09/2026 18:16

My last message has not been replied to, she did initially reply to my thank you then a brief message after that then nothing again. It’s just strange the radio silence came from nowhere. I do appreciate the card and money and did say thank you.

OP posts:
Gingercatlover · 12/09/2026 18:31

I mean if she’s just decided to not speak, why would she expect a gift, even if historically that’s what you have done?

People are strange!

waterbru · 12/09/2026 18:41

@Gingercatlover I know I agree to that I just felt bad as I hadn’t got her anything or acknowledged her birthday then she still acknowledged my child but when we previously fell out I still gifted her children on their birthday as my fall out wasn’t with the kids so probably the same situation. I just felt bad about it but I am an overthinker…

OP posts:
Gingercatlover · 12/09/2026 18:49

waterbru · 12/09/2026 18:41

@Gingercatlover I know I agree to that I just felt bad as I hadn’t got her anything or acknowledged her birthday then she still acknowledged my child but when we previously fell out I still gifted her children on their birthday as my fall out wasn’t with the kids so probably the same situation. I just felt bad about it but I am an overthinker…

I would feel the same, also an over thinker.
😉
But you haven’t done anything wrong, just buy for the children.

Grumpyoldcat · 12/09/2026 19:18

You sound like a couple of 5 year olds bickering. The simple solution is to have a chat face to face.

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