Weird birthday present

[Cherylyn]

Both of you ought to try making some sort of a pact.  First of all,  if you have a higher income,  it stands to reason that you would pay all or the majority of dating expenses, meals out, entertainment tickets or whatever.  If her income is on par with yours, then obviously split costs more equitably. 

Regarding birthday and possibly Christmas gifts,  forgo the gift giving altogether.  Mutually agree to have some sort of enjoyable activity for the day or evening such as a nice meal, a night on the town, picnic at the park weather permitting or something like that.  This way, there aren't any expectations and no pressure fretting over what to give each other materially.  

There comes a point where we don't need any more stuff.  Activities and memories are better IMHO.