...To be a teeny bit dissapointed? (presents :P)

[AgeingArtemis]

Yes, I know the idea of adults expecting presents is v. v. frowned upon on mumsnet, so I am fully prepared to be told IABU

I'm a student, still financially dependent on parents and go "home" for the holidays etc. Just turned 20.

In October or November I was going to buy a jumper I really liked (30 pounds, so not cheap), when my mum pounced on it and insisted on paying for it as part of my birthday present. Fine, I'm not complaining

I was at university for my birthday, so I didn't really do anything. I got a card in the post from my parents and also a small token present from an auntie (bless her). When I phoned my parents so that they could wish me a happy birthday my mum said that they were going to properly "do" my birthday and give me my presents when I went next went home.

When I went home, I was quite excited. I was given a cake (yum!) and happy birthday was sung and "presents" were produced... the jumper. Unwrapped. That's it.

(I hope) I'm not a spoiled brat, but I would have liked one tiny thing to unwrap, just for the sake of it...or even for the jumper to be wrapped! AIBU?

[Birdsgottafly]

My eldest DD, 30, loves things to unwrap, so we buy her novelty gifts, socks, personalised Nutella, big tub of Marshmallows, luxury hot chocolate, Candle etc.

My youngest is giving her a multi pack of Monster Munch, because when asked if she wants anything picking up, she always asks for Beef MM.

There's always something you can buy someone, even for a family laugh.

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

YANBU in my opnion. Around the same birthday as you, I was also at uni but at home for my birthday. None of my family had bothered, and when I said how hurt I was (for my mother's pervious birthday, I had gone out of my way to make it special and lived on beans on toast for a month as it ate into my student loan), I got three mulitpacks of chocolate. Which my younger sibling nicked and ate themselves. It wasn't the lack of presents, it was the lack of thought that hurt - and the fact they couldn't use their imagination to think of one thing I may have liked other than chocolate! Shouldn't have suprised me - on a previous birthday when I was a teen, my mother bought me a card, then hosted a small party for her friend who's birthday had been the a couple of weeks previously. Then told me off for getting upset and 'ruining the day'. I don't really bother with my birthday these days, though my partner always gets me something nice.

[Paintedhandprints]

Some of these stories are sad and a bit mean spirited. My mum still gets me a couple of presents to unwrap on my birthday even though they are glittery tat I don't really want.
It's nice to think that someone cares about you on your birthday.
My dh has kind of taken over the big present buying, as I have for him. But it was a natural progression.
It doesn't have to cost much to buy a few small presents within a small budget to show someone you care about them on their birthday.
Yanbu op.
What a weird idea that everyone should stop bothering with your birthday when you leave home.
Surely when you choose to have kids you may reasonably expect to be supporting them through uni at some point?
(Although I personally put myself through uni with no support from my working class parents). I fully expect to pay for our dc and we are saving accordingly.

[Kaytee1987]

I think that's a real shame :( you're only 20 and as you've said your parents aren't skint. Maybe I'm spoiled but my parents are always really generous with gifts and I'm a married women, ok generally they're not wrapped because it's big things that I really need and we choose together like new glasses & sunglasses one year, a new kingsize mattress, quite a lot if dollars for a holiday etc. I'm always very grateful and generous back with thoughtful gifts from time to time and spending time with them or helping them out. I know everyone's different but I think you should spend on your kids if they're hardworking and grateful. I plan on doing the same with my children.
We're your parents maybe a bit stressed out about something you're not aware of?