I just can't believe how quickly time is moving these days ... we've been on a collision course as we speed head-on into the intersection of where school ends and summer begins ... I don't dare open my eyes, I'm stressed enough as it is! I've been juggling all that comes with this time year: room parent checklists, teacher gifts, girl scout plans, final parent/teacher meetings, little bug's birthday prep, trying to balance the summer calendar - the camps, the houseguests, the sailing schedule ... the juggling never ends!
The May/June birthday season is always a big part of the frenzy at this time of year ... not only is it my littlest ladybug's birthday this Wednesday, but I also seem to have a large cluster of other May/June birthdays within my circle of friends and extended family as well. I've never actually counted it up until today, but there actually 13 birthdays that need to be recognized with gifts over these 2 months! The kids gifts are pretty easy for me ... but assign me the task of gifting for a girlfriend and this is where I start to freeze. The cost, the effort, the pressure ... it can be a lot! I do have a few tricks up my sleeve though. First and foremost? Books! One of my favorite books to give is this one written by Anna Quindlen:
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| image from amazon |
Books can be a personal decision, so I try to steer away from fiction and keep it light. With that in mind, another favorite gift is this very funny light read by Stephanie Dolgoff ...
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| image from amazon |
Another favorite gift idea for girlfriends is a single cupcake packaged in a clear reusable food container (upside down, cupcake sits on the lid with the container as the 'lid' around it) from a local gourmet food store. They look something like this ...
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| image from here |
Both of these ideas have served me really well ... thoughtful, easy, local, affordable, easily dropped off by a doorstep ... my kind of gifts! Generally speaking, I think I do ok with birthdays so long as I can fall back on some variation of the above standbys ... sweets and books! But it does make me nervous that those are the only tricks up my sleeve ...
Until last night. It was a 40th birthday party that a girlfriend's husband put together for her at their home ... it was a nice size, about 20 couples or so, super fun and casual - but I was really torn about what to get for her. Though we're certainly friendly, she's not someone I know well, so I wouldn't normally give her a gift for her birthday. What to do? Hmmm ...
How cute is this?! I found the idea on (of course) ... pinterest. Found the jar at Marshalls, the gumballs at the grocery store, and made the tag at home right on the computer (bell bottom font - fun!) ... a gift that's unique, fun, thoughtful, affordable ... and perfect for a 40th!
How about you guys ... any fabulous gift ideas to share? I'd love to bulk up my idea closet ...
9 comments:
I'm adopting the cupcake idea for this next year of birthdays. Great idea.
I have none of my own to offer, however. Sorry.
hehe...love your 40 blows gift! There are lots of fun ones for the big occasion ones like that. But that's the first time I've seen that one. Too cute!
Hi! I once made a CD for a 40th b'day gift. I found out what some of the fave artists and songs were from when they were growing up (in this case they were all from the late 70's/80's and mostly power ballads) and compiled them onto a disk...songs can bring back so many memories and some of the older classics aren't listened to nearlly enough :)
Love this gift idea. Our birthdays all cluster in October,November and it is busy. Keep your head above water and soon you will be enjoying the relaxation of summer.
Dana
cute gift ideas sloan! now share your teacher gifts so I can copy it..only a couple days to go!!! hugs, cathy
great ideas Sloan! I have read and given Anna Quindlin's book also...I also give Anne Morrow Lindberghs Gifts from the Sea..another favorite! Love the bubblegum gift!!
Those are great gift ideas Sloan! :) I love food gifts....guess b/c I love food so much. ha. I love the idea of a single, beautiful cupcake. I also try to keep a list of things next to each person in my birthday calendar that are their favorite things. Sometimes I just give a large dark chocolate candy bar with curly ribbon. I just love to celebrate birthdays!!!
Ps. Like Pam said, I've also given Gift From The Sea to several people. Awesome book. I've read it 5 or 6 times already. :)
Oh, one other idea a friend just shared with me. Buy one of those cute reusable/recycled shopping bags (a small one) and fill it with a couple of food items that you know that person loves.
Love the cupcake...and gumballs.
Bath and Body Works is about to have their annual sale where they sell full size lotions for $3 each. I think it started yesterday. Great to get to add to the gift closet!
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