I fight against this all the time. It&#x27;s simply impossible due to all the guilt involved.<p>I do not want anything for xmas&#x2F;birthday. My wife always wants to get me something and makes me feel like a killjoy. This is perhaps manageable.<p>Bigger problem is I have 2 kids who get invited to parties. I have to take the birthday boy&#x2F;girl something. Fine - but this means it&#x27;s reciprocated.<p>Valentines day recently. Used to be for asking a new girl out - now you have to gift something to your wife of 20 years. I have successfully vanquished this one.<p>Coming over for dinner? They bring a (bad) bottle of wine that I now have to get rid of. On and on the waste goes.<p>It just goes on and on.