Miss Manners: I stopped sending her gifts because I received nothing in return and now she’s mad

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had been giving thoughtful and sometimes expensive birthday and holiday gifts to a close relative. We are both adults in the same age group.

I stopped giving gifts a year or two ago because I did not receive a gift or even a card for many years. I continued to send cards.

My relative is now complaining that she doesn’t hear from me. This is not true. I believe she is reacting to not receiving gifts. I wish to be kind. Should I resume the gifts?

GENTLE READER: You may be right that your relative’s comment is a subtle complaint at the suspension of gifts, but if so, it is too subtle for Miss Manners. Certainly it is no reason to resume giving gifts to someone who neither reciprocates nor acknowledges them.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)