My birthday is coming up! š Really š is more like itā¦ I am getting old!
I am the oldest of 4 kids in my family, and each of my siblings has a significant other. My youngest brother is 10 years behind me and has recently graduated from college. We have continued to buy each other birthday gifts, but I just proposed a changeā¦
I suggested to my family that we stop buying gifts between all of us siblings/significant others, starting with my upcoming birthday.
The reason for this suggestion is that we are all getting old now, and I think it is natural that you stop giving birthday gifts at some point. I certainly do not āneedā anything for my birthday, as I already buy everything I would need (plus too many toys I donāt use enough). I also pitched it to them as ātake the money you save from buying everyone else gifts, and spend it on yourself ā that is like getting cash from everyone to buy whatever you want!ā Of course, they could always just save the money too!
I wasnāt sure how this proposal would be receivedā¦ But they all agreed!!
Of course, we will continue to get together to celebrate over a meal and dessert, but for now, the gift giving will cease!
One may argue that the thought and effort that go into a gift is what matters most, but I feel it is more of a burden to try and find a good giftā¦ plus, you still have Christmas!
Is your family doing something similar?
Brian
Bonus: I love apple pie! My fantastic wife made this homemade apple pie for my birthday last year... perhaps I should drop a subtle hint that she should make it again this year! So good!!
Mine is coming up too! I love your proposal. I'm also a fan of what Facebook does. For your birthday, you can set up a fundraiser so your friends can contribute to a charity of your choice. I'd much rather money goes to someone or somewhere else. As long as I'm healthy, I don't need anything!
Great idea! We have done that a little at Christmas, but only once or twice. I feel the same way... I certainly donāt need anything!
hello greetings friend @brian.rrr I hope you are good, I think the proposal that you offered to your family and loved ones, is something that not many people would do, since some prefer is to be given, at least not you, You decided to tell them to spend the money on themselves and that's very good of you, that keeps showing that you're a good person with your family, as well as with other people. The cake looks delicious, besides that it is apple and personally I love the apple, surely you enjoyed it on your last birthday, and good for sure this birthday your wife will surprise you with something as exquisite as that. Thank you for this post, since you put to reason many people and think as well as you and be humble. regards
Very interesting proposal. It makes perfect sense to me and I am also of the opinion that at my age I donāt need lots of gifts. I do however think I would have a hard time selling it to everyone else in the family. I think part of this would be the fact that we have already made a major cutback on Christmas. Now, I must preface what we do by saying that we are a fairly large family and at Christmas there can be as many of 12-15 people involved. Minimum of 10 adults. Several years ago we had a discussion about how Christmas was becoming a huge financial drain for everyone involved. The idea of doing a secret Santa was brought up. Basically, each person would be responsible for buying 1 gift and there would be a spending limit. We took it one step further and decided that names didnāt go on the gifts. Rather, we put some sort of clue on the package that would signal who the gift was for. Each gift is presented to the group and people guess if they think it is for them. Makes for a lot of fun! Once the gift has been opened the person must then guess who their Santa was. This change has made Christmas so much more fun than before and we get to keep our shirts.
Thatās a good way to do it at Christmas... we havenāt started doing it that way yet, but I think we will get there especially as all is sibling keep having more kids. Thanks for stopping by!
Man that pie looks so good. Yeah I've always proposed this but it never happens. I think during Christmas only the little ones should open gifts. I'm the opposite of you. My brother is 10 years older than me. I always tell him..."you buy me a gift card and I buy you a gift card. What's the point." We also have everything we need or want. lol
Exactly! I usually end up with a bunch of t-shirts though!
Agree with you, we have also four children in my family and we stopped doing birthday presents, of course we still phone each other on that days ( we live in different countries) therefore it is not always possible to come over for party but we visit each other on and off of course then it is a time for presents. I think you have done the right things. As to apple pie, I love it, you one looks very delicious, would be good to know the secrets of your wife's baking :)
It looks incredible apple pie, I think as we grow we are becoming aware and sometimes it is better to spend the birthday with a family meal and drink than to receive expensive gifts that sometimes we do not need, as you say better invest that money in other things @brian.rrr
I think that because it is our birthday we do not necessarily have to receive something, a gift can also be to give happiness to other people as helping them that gesture I think it would be a good gift in addition to spending it with the family and our children that is the best gift @brian.rrr
Brian,
Novel idea! I think it is especially a fantastic idea for those who are elderly. Those who are retired and on a fixed income and have many grandchildren and children, still insist on getting all of them gifts, even though it is very difficult for them to do so.
I think another great idea is sitting down and writing a handwritten note to the person who's birthday is going to be celebrated and send them birthday wishes with a sincere heartfelt handwritten note how much you appreciate them. Wishing them health, happiness, long life, prosperity and a little bit of luck! :)
The apple pie looks very tasty by the way!
Good suggestion! Thanks for stopping by!
Love to hear it, and happy everyone ageeed to it. It can be tough to shift set ideas like the idea of gift giving.
My sibling and I opted for a buy nothing Christmas years ago and it was awesome! We did make gifts though. My partner and love making creative and fun cards to give to friends, and itās always great to share handcrafted items like self care products or art. It really shows you care for people, not just allocating funds to replace thoughtful intention.
Happy birthday and hope you get that yummy pie!
Hello friend, for me there is no better gift than that you get the money and buy what you want or save it is that even the little ones in the house prefer that, the cake looks very divine, ask your wife to do it again, I hope to see your publication on your birthday to congratulate you, greetings friend from venezuela!
Happy birthday buddy.. Age is just a number , I wouldn't say that.. You are turning Old and So am I.. but ya Wish you all the happiness in world ... Yougtta make your Grumpy kid Rockstar ;)
I think that's a great idea if people are only giving gifts out of obligation. For a few years my brother and I sent each other checks for our respective birthdays. We effectively lost money by buying postage. Then we stopped. There's not really a need to send him a gift, or for him to send me one. Like you said, we already have what we need. :)
I also think the same, I think birthday gifts should not be forever! At 12 years old, I did not want to be given more things on that date. On the other hand, the "Pie" looks very tasty, although I like the passion fruit more.
How about their presence as their birthday gift to you mate? How'd you like that? Anyway, advance happy birthday to you.
Yummm it's looking tastyšš
Bu the way.
Wish u a happy birthday in advance ..
May god bless uh
Happy birth day.. Every people will getting old
Wow happy family. .n advance happy birthday to you my dear friend @brian.rrr
Buen post! Gracias por compartir. El pastel se ve delicioso.
Happy birthday in advance bro, I don't really know what your heart wishes are but I'm sure God will grant them all. Don't forget to share the cake here on steemit, I'll be anticipating. Cheers!!!
#resteemed
your family very careing of you.advance happy birthday. best of luck. thank u very much for your good post sharing. @brian.rrr
A nice family. Hope have a good life.
Happy birthday to me from the east.
Cake looks delicious and the patter drawn is something different from common ones.yup it is sure at same age you have to take initiative like you to make your relatives and family to cease gifts giving..btw i figured out you age is 38 i guess...at least i can wish you a Happy BirthDay ....stay tuned ......
Happy Birthday. hopefully your days are always fun and successful in various activities mu friend. And have a good time enjoying your birthday with your family
many many happy returns of the day my friend cheers š
Wooow , this very nice ur article š, u r as same as me , my birthday is coming and I have 4 kids , otherwiseŲ I wish you and your family happiness
Good luck my dear friend @brian.rrrššš
happy Birthday.then :)
Happy basday good luck post
Good post ..
Im resteem brader..
Many many happy returns of the day. May this year bring you a bit trouble but a lot of power to overcome them, a few sad times and many happy moments. Well I wrote this because its the nature of life .
Saludos @ brian.rrr , me encantĆ³ tu publicaciĆ³n del Pastel de Manzana adoro ese postre y la propuesta.
I think it's because of age, I usually do not give gifts, I have too many friends in my urbanization and in networks and if I get to give away I stay in bankruptcy haha. regards
my family has long since lost the tradition of gift giving.