Birthdays are coming up in my little world. My sister and her daughter have birthdays that are pretty close to each other.  And every year, I ask my sister what she wants for her birthday, and every year she says not to get her anything.  But I'm just not wired that way.  I can't do it. I HAVE to get her something.  And it's the same with most of my family.  Well, I don't always get the people I'm not super close to presents, but the core family, yes.

And this year, I knew it was coming. I knew the birthdays would be here soon enough. It wasn't like I was suprised.  But, I just couldn't think of a good gift! I was racking my brain, going over and over again wondering what they could possibly want or need. I decided to just cave in and get them gift cards.

On one hand, it's the easy way out.  "Here, you buy your own birthday gift".  But on the other hand, it makes sense.  It's practical.  My niece just moved into her first apartment, and I'm sure there are things she needs to buy to really get settled.  And I know when I was first on my own,  a full pantry was a luxury. And, my sister's husband just changed jobs, so they could probably use a gift card, too.

Husbando says gift cards and cash are the best presents.  My father would agree. I don't mind getting them myself, but I just feel like I have to put more effort into a gift. I have to get them something that shows that I was thinking about them and their special day and all that good stuff.

So am I wrong to think I failed at the birthday thing this year? Is giving a gift card a good gift, or a thoughtless gift?

Cardingly yours,
Behka

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