Hehe, I have a very nice half-year cushion of either 5 months and 15 days or 6 months and 15 days, between Christmas and my birthday (December 25 and July 10, respectively).
I think I get better gifts around birthday time:
Random year~ Birthday = lots of money, Xmas = Chrono Cross
One year~ Birthday = lots of money, Xmas = PS2
Another year~ Birthday = lots of money, Xmas = FF X-2
I think the fact that I prefer to receive lots of money, over stuff I could afford by myself after some time makes me lean towards birthdays as better gift times. During Christmas, everything not from my parents turns into clothes
At easter time, my grandma gives me money randomly and unexpectedly.
Jam it back in, in the dark.