Friend sends out a detailed birthday wishlist, expecting her financially struggling friend to play fairy godmother, sparking debate about friendship obligations: '[It's not] about money'

Thoughtful gestures don't always need money. Financial struggles shouldn't create tension in friendships, but for some people, birthday gifts can become an exception.

Birthdays are a nice opportunity to make someone feel special, and it's great to feel noticed by your loved ones and know that a friend is listening and really cares about your wishes. There's no need to buy something expensive to make someone happy. Sometimes, the smallest details are the most meaningful ones. Just showing that you care and being there for your friend can be enough. But what happens when your friend's gift expectations are a bit over-the-top? I mean, almost materialistic or superficial. 

That's what happened to a 24-year-old woman who recently lost her job and is now struggling financially, which made it impossible for her to afford items on her friend's expensive wishlist. Now I'm just asking for common sense here. How could you expect gifts from someone you know can't afford it? And then, after your expectations aren't met, you even feel entitled to GET MAD at her? It isn't really reasonable to take offense; it's absurd and ungrateful. Your friend tried to do something nice for you, and you're acting like an entitled Karen for creating conflict out of this. 

What's worse, her entitled friend didn't even get her anything for her birthday a week earlier. And yes, you can do better if you truly value your friendship; there's no need to pay evil for evil. Friendships aren't about 'paying back' or keeping score; they're about mutual understanding, being there for each other, and both people putting in effort to make it work, because you enjoy having them as friends, and you choose them.