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Stargazer: Here’s a pic of a cake I baked for my cousin’s birthday! ????

Jeneticist: Is that vanilla?

JazzyPlum: Oooh, strawberries too. This looks so yummy.

Seeker: Was there a party?

SquidHead: How old is your cousin?

Stargazer: She’s 21. And just a little family thing. If I could get the writing on top right next time, that would be awesome.

FarfromHome: You should get her something useful instead of encouraging a sugar addiction.

Jeneticist: Ugh. I bet you get people socks, FFH.

JazzyPlum: No way! They definitely strike me as a gift card type.

Seeker: Gift-giving seems like it should be thought-intensive and personal.

SquidHead: Exactly! I never buy something that I would like. I spend a long time figuring out what the other person would love.

JazzyPlum: Aw. I want a gift from you, Squiddy! ??

SquidHead: Well, if we’re still chatting when your birthday rolls around, I’ll make it happen.

Jeneticist: OK, I’m curious. What’s your favorite gift that you’ve ever received?

FarfromHome: Who are you asking?

JazzyPlum: Everyone, I think?

Jeneticist: Yep! But nobody has to answer if they’d rather not.

Stargazer: This is easy. My mom sent me to the Scottish Highlands to plant trees during my gap year after high school. It was an amazing trip, and there was no pressure to come home. I wandered around Europe until my visa ran out.

Seeker: Do experiences and travel count as a gift?

SquidHead: In my book they do.

FarfromHome: I’d agree.

JazzyPlum: That sounds like the best time!

SquidHead: This will sound shallow after the first two answers, but my granddad bought me my first car and then he helped me fix it up.

Jeneticist: That’s not shallow! It’s sweet.

SquidHead: I’m glad you think so, J.

Jeneticist: For me, it’s got to be when my high school friends chipped in and bought me my first telescope. I was so happy! I put it on the balcony of my college apartment.

Seeker: And you’ve been watching the sky ever since.

Jeneticist: Yep. I still have it, to be honest. I’ve used more powerful telescopes, but I have a soft spot for the one they got me.

Stargazer: Are you planning to answer, FFH?

FarfromHome: I’ve never received a gift.

JazzyPlum: Are you serious?

SquidHead: Whoa.

Stargazer: Okay, now I feel bad for FFH. Are you okay?

Jeneticist: Let’s not jump to conclusions or pressure them to share. Maybe they were raised in a religion that doesn’t celebrate holidays.

Seeker: Which one is that?

JazzyPlum: I think Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t.

SquidHead: Quakers too.

Stargazer: Right, let’s give FFH some space. If they wanted to talk about gifts or lack of them, they would.

FarfromHome: I don’t need your intervention.

Jeneticist: We haven’t heard from Seeker yet. Are you abstaining?

Seeker: No, I was trying to decide. And I think it’s the song my mother wrote, celebrating the occasion of my birth.

Jeneticist: I’d love to hear it.

Seeker: Perhaps one day.

SquidHead: This has been great, but I’m starving.

Stargazer: Me too! Talk to y’all later.

JazzyPlum: Take care!