Birthday Bash

Today is my brothers’ birthdays. That’s two of them. And my sister and I share a birthday, too. So out of 5 kids (no twins), only 1 has his own birthday.

So here’s the thing: I come from a really disorganized family when it comes to celebrating birthdays and holidays. We have a Christmas tradition that makes life really easy—all of my siblings and I get each other gift certificates to Borders every year. That means I get 4 Borders gift certificates every Christmas. It’s pathetic, I know, but it’s so easy and we all love it. So back to my brothers…I haven’t sent either of them a birthday present yet, and probably neither of them is expecting anything (although it wouldn’t be weird for me to send them something a week late—it happens all of the time). Most of the time I send them something, but I don’t think they’ll be surprised if I don’t.

One brother lives in Florida (Jeff) and the other lives in California (Devin). Jeff is turning 29. He’s married with a kid, and I didn’t send his wife or kid anything for their birthdays last month. That’s where I went wrong. If I send Jeff something, it will be like saying he is more important to me than his wife or kid. Last year I sent his whole family a joint present in October, like a gift certificate or something. If I do that again, though, it will be like saying I celebrate all three of their birthdays on Jeff’s birthday. But if I don’t send them anything, it will be like telling my sister-in-law and nephew that I’m flaky and last year’s present was a one-time thing. I was hoping to change my ways.

I was hoping to send Devin something whether or not I send Jeff anything. Devin is turning 17 and he still lives at home, so I feel more obligated to get him something than I do to get Jeff something. But is that weird to get Devin something and pretend Jeff’s birthday never happened? It would be easier to just pretend neither of their birthdays ever happened. Maybe I’ll just wait until Christmas and surprise them with Borders gift certificates.