Well on the actual day, you get the relos hand you a parcel and say "we bought you a BIG, combined Christmas and birthday present". Youd start opening it, and see that your little brother had the same present......pretty scabbby.
So one year, I asked them all to give me money, then I went out and bought a Lego Technical set car chassis (fucking thing cost $115, and that was 24 years ago). Best christmas/birthday present ever.