Search Results: christmas gift from girlfriend

I was shocked yesterday when my girlfriend expressed that she thought it was weird that I give a gift AND a card for Christmas, birthdays, etc. (I’m not talking about the generic “Happy Holidays From Our Family To Yours” courtesy cards, I’m talking people you’re close with and exchange gifts with.

I was taught to always buy a card to accompany the gift, and that the card and it’s sentiment is more important than the gift. And when receiving a gift, I was raised to read the card first, take in what’s written in it, and thank the giver, before even opening the present (upon doing so, I’d then thank them for the gift).

In her world, cards are just something you give if you’re not exchanging a gift with someone, just an acknowledgement. If you’re giving a gift, an additional card is unnecessary, unless it’s something like cash or a gift card. And she asked me if I had ever noticed her family doesn’t give me cards with my Christmas gifts, and I guess I haven’t, haha.

I’m not offended by it or anything, I just was surprised because I thought my way was standard. And she said the same, and we’re both questioning it now because we both have small families and subsequently small gift-exchanging circles.

So I’m curious what all of you folks think. Do you give a card AND a gift? Or a card OR a gift? I guess I’m primarily concerned with opinions of people from North American countries/cultures that I’d be around, it might be totally different elsewhere, but all opinions are welcome👍

So I really hit it off with this new sexy latin girl in Miami,. We've been out 4x and hooked up the last two dates. The problem is she keeps bringing up bills. Please tell me what is going on here;

1st meeting- I met her at a lounge in Miami, we do drinks, I drive her home she says "well I can stay with you tonight, but if I do I'll miss work the next day and will need you to pay me the amount of money I would normally make at work" I was totally taken aback and said no.

2nd date- I ask her if she is a working girl or something, she says no. That was a one time thing from an acute financial problem she said. We do dinner, kissing, no sex, no money request.

3rd date, Dinner, dancing at night club, but she says afterward her work schedule is tough and " what I really would love is my gringo to pay my bills so I don't have to work as much" Had sex first time.

4th date, dinner , dancing until 6am, total cost $650. On way home she says " I have a list of bills, but its not that that is the only thing I want and you can choose" she then lists all her bills line by line. We had sex again.

That Monday she talks about wanting to see her family in Brazil for holidays, but says the ticket is too expensive. I tell her I bought a Christmas gift for $500 and I can return it for cash value to put towards her ticket. She says that won't cover an entire ticket ($1,350). I didn't respond after that.

Tuesday I say good morning, and ask her about doing dinner,...(SILENCE) for next 36 hours,,,, then says- " I've come to the conclusion this isn't the relationship I want and your not the right guy for me"

Is this purely about money? She wouldn't answer my question as to what "issues" she was referring to. It seems insane to me if she doesn't want to talk now soley over this $1350 ticket AFTER I offered providing Christmas cash value of $500 WTF? Do I have any move here?