MemberFor my birthday every year my husband takes me to high tea at an expensive hotel downtown. It costs $125 for the both of us to go and he pays for it. I consider that more than enough of a gift!
MemberI say yes… I agree, not applebees! Going out for a nice dinner and spending time with my husband is a perfect gift. I’d like that better than anything material. That said, I usually get a nice dinner and another gift, too.
MemberIf it is unique to the couple, then sure. My husband and I tend to eat out a lot so I wouldn’t say it necessarily qualifies as a gift for us.
MemberI would be really upset if my husband just took me to dinner. Even if it’s just something little, I think gifts are a fun part of birthdays. Of course, if my husband DID take me to dinner and didn’t give me a gift, I wouldn’t say anything–he’s a total sweetheart, and it would hurt his feelings!
MemberI think it depends on the situation. If my SO didn’t have very much money and saved up to take me to a nice swanky dinner, I would consider that more than enough. Actually, in this scenario, I would be even okay with a home-cooked meal as the ingredients can add up and really, who can put a price on the effort he has to go throuh.
On the other hand, if he had the means to do so (especially if he spoils himself regularly), then I would expect more than dinner. It’s not about a material item or anything, but that he holds me and my birthday in high enough esteem that he deems it important to gift something of value. I’m not saying it has to be like a new car, but something that shows thought and effort.
MemberI believe so…. but I’m not too big on gifts. I think it’ important to do something to remember the day, but expecting a gift nah. I’m not five. I’ll take a piece of cake though:)
MemberAbsolutely! I don’t care who it’s from or where we go. I’m just excited at the opportunity of being able to go out and celebrate it with those who love me.
MemberI think dinner is a good birthday present, but maybe only because my birthday is 5 days after Christmas. I would rather have a nice dinner (like other PPs said, not just Applebees). I don’t want to overwhelm anyone with trying to get presents for me all at the same time, if that makes any sense?
Maybe its just because my birthday is so close to Christmas that I feel this way though.
MemberI voted no. Because DH and I are foodies and go out to eat regularly at fairly nice restaurants. For a special occasion we scope out a new spot or go to a place we already really love. I can see where people would think otherwise tho.
MemberThanks for your responses, everyone! It’s great to get some more points of view on stuff like this =)
MemberI think so. My SO and I are gluten-intolerant, I have a ton of food allergies, and we’re both broke grad students, so finding a place we can afford to go out to eat within our dietary limitations is a bit of a triumph in general, and only happens rarely. So for us, meals are often gifts. I tend to do a lot of dinners at home in general, plus I always am in charge of holiday meals, so for me, having someone else take the reins and make a fancy dinner for me is wonderful. It’s definitely a gift when someone presents it to you that way, I think. And my SO is really good about getting things exactly the way I’d want them when it’s a gift — just the right food, just the right flowers, just the right everything. It’s sweet as hell, and it’s the best kind of present, because it really is about me, not about stuff.
MemberI voted yes. Going out to dinner is a gift if they pay for you because they are still buying you something. Going out to dinner can cost a bit, and the same applies with home cooked meals. For FI’s birthday I will cook for him, which usually costs me about $80 for a 4 course meal. We’re both students, and so we can’t really buy each other elaborate gifts, so we usually go out to dinner, as well as give each other small gifts for Birthdays 
MemberFor a friend – definetly. For an SO – if it’s an expeically nice/unique dinner.
MemberMy Fiance and I don’t give each other gifts for birthdays or holidays. We go out to dinner. Studies show that couples who have experiences together stay together longer. Love it! With that said, we go out for a nice dinner 🙂
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