Who gives who a gift?

I'm confused. This year, on Jenny's birthday, she sent her mother a card. She feels that birthdays are backwards. A mother spends hours in labor, and everyone celebrates the result that did no work. So she sent her mom a card on her birthday this year. I thought it was funny.

Tonight, we got a gift from Jenny's co-worker who just resigned. That's right, he gave us a gift. I'm confused. When I left the church, they gave me a gift, not me giving them one. I just don't know anymore who is supposed to give who a gift and when.