Not To Buy a Birthday Gift

[Pinky1952]

My hubby found his birth family 4 years ago and the first Christmas we exchanged gifts with his brother and 4 sisters. Each year the presents have dwindled to nothing except his brother and wife. Last year we stopped sending gifts to his daughters children as we didn't get so much as a card off them. His daughters are grown up and we sent them vouchers on their birthdays. This year my hubby got a voucher from his brother and a card and on my birthday a card 3 days late and nothing else. I don't give to receive but did feel a little left out. They live about an hour away and we take turns to visit each other for an afternoon. They have been promising to come for months now and suddenly they are coming tomorrow (Friday) and it's his brother's birthday on Tuesday. We haven't got him anything. What would you do? Say nothing and let them come and go.

Id not say anything, just leave it to your DH to say happy birthday on his actual birthday

We did post a birthday card which he would've received by now. The post round here is very erratic at the moment so we wanted it to get there in time. Thanks Rubadubdub.

Yep, stop the presents, send cards if you want.

I think if the brother sent a voucher to your DH I would buy a little bit of something but that could be nice cake / afternoon tea type things for his birthday so something for him but all could share during the afternoon - & then just do cards.

In our family all adults ( with the exception of my mum and dad ) get a card or younger children now get vouchers ( teens) Once over 18 then only e.g. 21st present - not for regular birthdays. Cards all the way

Well they came and went and nothing was said. We did take them out for a nice lunch though.

Sounds like a crazy amount of gift giving, if you’re doing gifts for your husband’s brother’s daughter’s children, who you only met 4 years ago. Send cards and be done with the conspicuous consumption.