| Big Birthdays | | | | preferably at the beginning of the evening while |
| When you're young, apart from Christmas, your | | | | everyone is still sober enough to write. At the end of |
| birthday is just about the most exciting day of the | | | | the evening you can then present them with a |
| year. In fact, my kids usually start planning their next | | | | record of their friends' personal messages. |
| birthday before they've finished eating the cake from | | | | Even if a party isn't their style, most friends and |
| their current one. Actually, at one point my eldest | | | | family will be touched by thoughtful, private surprises. |
| had planned how he was celebrating his 8th, 9th and | | | | Bake them a birthday cake or suggest that you both |
| 10th birthdays - before he'd even turned 7! | | | | indulge in lunch or mid-morning coffee and cake on |
| | | | the actual day of their birthday. |
| Now the first couple of big birthdays that come | | | | Perhaps you could treat them to something different, |
| knocking on the door aren't too bad, 18th and 21st | | | | like a day at the races or a relaxing spa day - |
| parties are great fun, but then you hit the 30s, 40s, | | | | speaking from experience, this is a fantastic idea if |
| 50s... and it starts to become a bit scary. | | | | they have kids! |
| Yet, love them or loathe them, your birthday will | | | | Gift ideas for special birthdays |
| happen once a year - or twice if you happen to be | | | | For family and close friends it's nice to buy them |
| the Queen. | | | | something that they can keep or something that |
| So our advice is, don't fight it. Use it as a great | | | | they will remember for years to come. While |
| excuse to be the centre of attention for the day. | | | | weekend trips to New York might be out of most |
| Let your friends and family spoil you rotten and | | | | people's budgets, there are plenty of other ideas that |
| enjoy every minute of it. | | | | can be equally special. |
| And when it comes to a big birthday then celebrate | | | | Jewellery or watches are usually cherished gifts. |
| in style. Use the philosophy of the bigger the | | | | Especially if you go that step further to make them |
| birthday, the bigger the celebration and at least you'll | | | | personal, perhaps by having the watch engraved or |
| have a fantastic time to look back on. | | | | choosing jewellery that features their birth stone. |
| Celebrating the occasion | | | | If your budget is low, why not club together with |
| It's all very well celebrating your own big birthday but | | | | friends? If the birthday boy or girl has always had a |
| how do you go about celebrating your mum's 60th, | | | | burning desire to do something wild, then an |
| your friend's 30th or your granddad's 80th. | | | | experience gift might be the answer. It's not |
| Our advice is to plan in advance. Throwing them a | | | | unknown for first time skydivers to be drawing their |
| surprise party can be a great idea, but this will take a | | | | old age pension. |
| huge amount of planning to pull it off properly. | | | | Whatever you choose, plan in advance to make sure |
| It's also not a good idea if the person in question | | | | that you can present them with their gift on the day |
| likes to be in control and detests surprises. In this | | | | of their birthday. And always remember, professional |
| case, you're better off approaching them to see if | | | | gift-wrapping can turn a great gift into a fantastic |
| they'd like you to help them plan their birthday. | | | | gift. |
| But there are always ways around this. Why not | | | | If you're still stuck for inspiration, why not check out |
| throw a party that the birthday boy or girl knows | | | | our other Gift Ideas articles. We've some great ideas |
| about, but then add an element of surprise to spice it | | | | for special gifts, including: |
| up? | | | | - Gift ideas for friends and family |
| You could book some entertainment that you know | | | | - Classic gifts that always work |
| they'll enjoy or arrange for the 'magical' appearance | | | | - Gift ideas for women |
| of a long lost friend or relative. Alternatively present | | | | - Gift ideas for dads |
| them with an amazing gift that you've all clubbed | | | | Celebrate in style |
| together to buy. The options are endless, but just | | | | Our final piece of advice is to have fun and embrace |
| make sure that the guests know how to keep a | | | | your birthday with open arms. At the end of the |
| secret. It's also a good idea to nominate a capable | | | | day, they're just like our big birthday balloons - they'll |
| friend as the photographer, so that they can be | | | | jump out and hit you between the eyes anyway... |
| on-hand to capture that look of shocked amazement | | | | and if you let them, they'll put a great big smile on |
| on the birthday girl or boy's face. | | | | your face. |
| It's also a thoughtful idea to circulate a guest book - | | | | |