What do you do when you get unexpected gifts for your child and haven't reciprocated???

I know this happens to nearly everyone; I still feel bad...





Last year me, my brother, %26amp; 2 cousins all had babies within 4 mths (each 4 wks apart - September, October, November [mine] and December [my brother].)





We exchanged gifts at Christmas b/c we all only see each other twice a year. For my nephew we get both "birthday" %26amp; Christmas gifts, but for the cousins we haven't ever exchanged gifts so last year I wrapped gifts in in baby shower paper not Christmas paper %26amp; I thought of them as baby gifts not Christmas gifts. (Last year this caught one cousin by surprise as they hadn't bought my daughter a gift...) I thought gifts was a one shot deal...





This year the awkward shoe's on the other foot... they both bought Christmas gifts for my daughter, but I never bought anything for their kids. On top of that 2 sets my of aunts %26amp; uncles bought my daughter gifts as well (My parents didn't buy anything for the cousin's kids either.)





Now we feel terrible. Do I fix it (and how?) Thx!

What do you do when you get unexpected gifts for your child and haven't reciprocated???
Send a thank-you note and a picture of your child playing with the toy (or sitting next to it if he/she's too little). Don't get in the habit of getting people gifts just because they got you one. If you do, you end up with a never-ending list of gifts to buy.
Reply:Just send a gracious Thank you note. Like you said, it happens to everyone. Maybe next year you can avoid the awkward mess by discussing it in advance with your brother and cousins. Agree not to do anything or to draw names or to get a little something for everyone. Good Luck!
Reply:Buy some thank you notes and send them out pronto. Make sure to include how much you and/or your daughter enjoy the gift. Then you're free of any obligation (and possible guilt!). It's not necessary to rush out and buy gifts for everyone. Besides, they won't (well, shouldn't) expect anything, and should be understanding if you don't get them things, especially if you're in a tough financial situation.





A nice Thank You card is proper etiquette.
Reply:So get together with the parents and have the kids draw names each year each child buys one present for the name they drew.Its cheaper but easy to remember and fun way the kids can give and get gifts from thier cousins.
Reply:You have to let it go and move on. It can get pretty sticky for sure but everyone can't afford gifts all the time.
Reply:Don't sweat about it too much. Just send nice thank you cards. Then, get them all small gifts next year. This could be a little game that goes back and forth for awhile! LOL



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