Is it ok to give my friend her birthday and Christmas gifts 2 months early?

[Anonymous]

I’m running out of money to post gifts. I have two sides of the family to post for, some interstate, others overseas; and I’m currently unemployed, trying really hard to get work and volunteering thrice a week at a charity store. I’m not going to see my friend much on the month of her birthday. I can’t really afford to post her gifts, without considerable struggling. In this case, is it ok to give her her stuff a few months early?

[Oliverlogan263]

Given your financial circumstances, I think giving your friend their birthday/Christmas gifts a couple months early would be understandable. A few things you could do:

- Explain to your friend the situation with being unemployed and needing to budget carefully for many gifts. They'll likely be sympathetic.

- Emphasize you want them to have the gifts when you see them, not just waiting for the actual dates to open. It's about sharing the moments.

- Consider a card too on the real dates just for fun, saying you hope they enjoyed the early gifts.

- Suggest doing something low/no cost together on or around their actual birthdays like a walk/hike to celebrate.

- Make it clear the early timing is only due to finances, not wanting to diminish the occasions themselves.

- Ask if they'd prefer to wait if it feels too awkward, but I'm sure most good friends would understand.

The thought and care put into the gifts is what matters most. With an explanation, I'm sure your friend will appreciate receiving them when meaningful rather than stressing over exact dates.

[Anonymous]

I guess, but why would you do that in the first place?

[StarWarGirl]

It is okay. You can.