Gift Etiquette
 

Do you have to give a birthday present to someone, who you consider a close friend, who didn't get you one??

No.

Yes

Nope. A simple 'Happy Birthday' will do.

This is a weird situation to be in and I have been in it many times. Sometimes people forget or aren't in town for your b-day and so the gift is never given (or purchased...haha). I think a good solution is to get a card and maybe flowers or something small and inexpensive.

You should give a gift because you want to, not based on what the other person's giving patterns.

Lil' Hannah is correct.

From your post it seems like you feel its appropriate to give your friend a gift and the only reason you wouldn't is that she didn't give you one.

That kind of behavior is the antithesis of generosity and actualy appears petty.

Never be petty.

I agree 100%.

CO-SIGN!!!:D

I agree as well. It was a simple question, believe that I'm not petty to go tit for tat on what someone else does for me. I'm 23 not 13. :p

Get a card and something small...you don't have to go overboard, but people like to know they're being thought of. Even if they didn't do the same for you... :p

Not only I wouldn't give them a gift back, I probably end the friendship (and I have once). But, that's just me. I don't really care about gifts, it is the acknowledgement of my birthday that is VERY important to me. Summer birthdays suck. If you're broke give me a candy bar or a card from the dollar store or just call and say "Happy Birthday". Something! In other words, if she did acknoweledge your b-day in other ways and you want to give her a gift, I'd say go for it. If she didn't, I'd say think twice.

Wait 10 years, and you may change your mind on that one. ;)

I have a girl who is a friend, but not someone I would normally buy a gift for. However, she always gets me something so I am usually rushing out to find something for her to return the favor. If I got a gift for someone and they didn't get me anything I wouldn't really care because I'm really picky and unless it's something I really want/need I'd rather just not have it.

I don't know, most of my friends in college didn't exchange gifts, but we always went out for drinks (the bday girl didn't pay). Oh, and of course she got a lei (it's the tradition in Hawaii).