Gift giving in our society

I think it struck me as odd when I had kind of outgrown the "lets throw a birthday party and get presents" age, but my sister who is eight years younger than I had her fourth birthday party.

I was amazed that, people from our neighborhood, who's children had barely been to our home brought on the average a $20 present. I can specifically remember those kids birthdays rolling around and my mother mentioning that if my sister didn't want to go that we at least needed to buy the kid a present.

My aunt, on the other hand, was a little more greedy about the whole situation. Having three kids and one income, she often bought gifts on the cheap. Old Navy clearance racks and other discount stores was where she would shop to give others gifts. But once gift giving was in order for her children she expected the best gifts for them, because getting a better gift meant that her kids were well liked or loved. I remember that when a child had forgotten a gift, or chose not to bring one, it was brought up that if we were to go to their birthday party, they would be receiving a less than standard gift.

I also feel that in general, gifts in our society are more common. This could be due to the constant holidays we have, maybe once a month, in which you could expect a small gift or treat due to a holiday. (New Years, Valentines, St. Patricks Day, April Fools, Easter, Graduation, Fourth of July, etc. etc. etc.)