Am I right to be upset?

What other things have they done for you?

Different people show their appreciation in different ways. Tallying up how many presents they bought you compared to other people, I don't think is the best measure.

I for instance don't like accumulating stuff. People buying me 'junk' presents that I don't even need, just as a token, that will most likely end up in a charity shop... can even annoy me. I'm not an eco-fanatic, but I don't like unnecessary waste either. I'd much rather we just spend quality time together, eat good food, watch a film, catch up etc.

Equally I consider it similarly wasteful to buy other people things which they don't need, purely as a gesture. I'm more likely to spend twice more money and take them to a restaurant instead.

Did they know it was a birthday celebration? Did they say if it was a meal help to pay for your share as a present? What are their finances like? Would it just not enter their mind to bring a present or card?

Lots of questions!

Yes I totally agree that people show appreciation in different ways, however this person has been quite distant with me, taking weeks to respond to me at times and never initiates contact - it is always me reaching out to him. I said we were close, but that is because we do get along very well in person and he has said that I am his best friend but it really doesn’t feel like it as he is very distant over text messages. We’ve only seen each other a few times this year so I don’t see him regularly.