Birthday Gifts

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Does anyone else have serious trouble getting a birthday gift for someone? For me, this happens all the time.

I had no idea what to get my best friend. It's like I had forgotten everything she likes

This is also true when people ask me what I want for my birthday or Christmas. I completely forget what I'm into xD Does anyone else experience this?

I simply purchase what the individual said they wanted. Though it seems unorthodox to ask people what to get them, it allows me to be 100% certain they received something "on their list." All other gift-giving occasions follow the same protocol. For that person with everything, money does the trick quite well. If they are older folks, a meal at a nice restaurant is also acceptible. Of course it will not be a surprise, but at least you will be that person who gets others what they want. Everybody likes that person.

It seems so simple now!

I have always had trouble with this, but I really should just ask. For me, a decent card and money always does the trick. (But to who does it not?)

Crunchy old traditionalists who believe gift cards and money are blasphemy and only things like clothing, household appliances and toys qualify as gifts. Or to the elderly folks who would never spend the money because they don't need it. My grandparents fit this category.

I either ask what they want and then et exactly that item OR I get a gift card to somewhere that can't possibly be bad.

I have a lot of trouble with this. I always ask people what they want but more often than not they're always really vague or they say "I don't know." Ugh... Then I end up spending days looking around.

I usually make a mental note of something that I realize they want long before their birthday...that way by the time the big day comes, I already have a plan in my mind. When it comes to what I want for my own birthday, I have no idea

I wouldn't give friends money and a card, but family you could.

Friends you should be thoughtful with it, even if you make them something, like a scrap book of your memories together as best friends or something.

I've never had a good friend to give them something special on their birthday, but that's what I've heard people give.

This is true. I'm sometimes a little disappointed if I just get a card or something. But then again, who can complain about money?

Yes it is difficult for me and it is also difficult to understand. I really don't understand the concept of gifts and I believe it is materialistic. I am a minimalist and I (or my parents) buy what I need; I'm probably just spoiled but I find that most gifts are just superfluous and seldom get used. Most of the things that I would want as a luxury are to expensive for a typical gift and I usually end up purchasing them with my own money.