Did you get birthday presents from your parents as a kid?

@erik2000: If they are too poor for even that then the present could be something the parents had made or a bouqet of wild flowers.
That parents also can be so mentally and emotionally poor that they do not care to give their child a birthday present is another matter and no what was mentioned in the case I commented on.

@karinaal: No offense taken, my parents really messed with their shot at parenthood. Whilst growing up we had to face many difficulties, as I reached my teen years receiving gifts was far from my desires. All we needed was some peace, our wish was for God to stop my father from physically abusing my mother. At a time when we should be playing games, or anxiously waiting for treats or even enthusiastically sitting beside the Christmas tree waiting to unwrap gifts we would hide in a corner crying and waiting for the fighting to stop. So in all honesty not having fancy clothes and materialistic possessions or in this case not receiving birthday gifts was really not important. You are simply correct when you say, that it's
not about what they gifted but it should have been the love and care behind the thought, it is my prayer daily that my kids never go a day without feeling safe, and loved by me. I'm sorry about dumping all this on you, I automatically stayed, it just happens at times.

I am very sorry that you had to grow up like that. No child should do that but it happens and sometimes even in families that on the surface seem to be well-functioning.
We who were luckier should always remember how traumatising it can be to have abusive and unloving parents.