Birthday Gifts
Birthday Gifts questions and answers
Don't forget to check out the latest article on Unique Christmas Gifts at GetCrafty.com Crafts.
Q: birthday gifts?
my cousin is 14 and its his birthday i dont really know what to get him does anyone have any ideas? gifts were easy when he was a kid but not so much now that hes a teenager
A: Give him something unique this time. Identify some of his true passions, get them photographed and send the photos to http://www.paintyourlife.com
The guys there can make very unique and classical-looking portraits or paintings out of simple photos! It costs less than you might think.
This company also has a studio for oil paintings reproductions. In case you are looking for an affordable gift urgently, you can take a look at their 'stock on sale'. Visit www.photo-print-on-canvas.com
Q: What should I buy or make for birthday gifts?
I know this may sound rather odd, but I try to plan financially everything I do a year in advance in hopes to avoid any surprises in my checkbook. Anyways, what should I buy or make for people next year for their birthdays? I preferably want to give them a homemade gift (what are some creative ideas for homemade birthday gifts?), but if that's tasteless I'm open to almost anything.
My best friend will turn 44 years old
My brother, his girlfriend, and a friend will turn 19
Important friends will turn 21, 23, and 24
My boyfriend will turn 27
A dear male friend who's in prison will turn 23 yrs. old
A brother will turn 50 and a sister will turn 40.
My important nieces and nephews between 2-15
Daddy will turn 75 (my mom is deceased)
My other siblings and friends will receive birthday cards.
Thank you in advance as I greatly appreciate your input and advice.
A: Wow, organization like that is amazing (if a little scary). Only you know your friends, and your talents (some people should never bake anything for anyone), so suggestions really might not be so good.
For those that like them, how about candles? They are easy to make, all you need is some wax (even from old candles), crayons for color, string (dipped in the hot wax, curled around a pencil on one end, weighted with a coin for the bottom of the candle), scent (or unscented - some people like candles but gag @ the smell), maybe one of their favorites (can get samples sometimes, but oils work best), and a quart or half gallon waxed paper juice or milk carton. This also should prob be done in one of those disposable foil pans.
Melt the wax, adding the crayons, scent (or not). Stir. Cut off the top of the carton where it starts to fold, so that you have just the square. Rest the pencil with the string (wick) on top (the weighted end should be at the bottom of the carton. Pour a little wax in to fix the wick in place in the center of the carton. Give it a little time to solidify (about 20 min-1/2 hr. Stick the whole thing in the fridge or freezer if you want to move it along more quickly).
Get some ice cubes from the tray and fill the carton with them. Stir the wax again (the wax should be hot enough to pour). Then pour it into the carton over the ice cubes. Let it cool & set (give it a couple hrs minumum, overnight is best, or do the fridge thing. You don't want to stick this in the freezer or the water in the carton will re-ice). Peel away the carton.
The ice will have created pockets in the candle and it looks pretty cool, certainly not like a factory candle.
For your friend in prison, baked goods sound like the way to go, perhaps lots of cookies he can share. Or a cd?
Ok, I'm off to finish my Christmas shopping for this year, half of which is still undone!
Q: What is the rule of etiquette for adults opening birthday gifts at an adult b-day party?
Does the birthday girl/guy need to open all the gifts during the party? There will be around 20 to 30 people there,,, maybe a lot a gifts.... what's the rule on this?
A: I agree that you should open them at the end of the party if people ask you to (they might want to see you open your gift).
But if no one says anything and seems to be having a good time, just let it slide and don't open them. It can be really boring at a party to stop the mingling to watch other people open stuff. Or you could do it on a case by case basis, and open gifts at different times.
Q: What is the rule of etiquette for adults opening birthday gifts at a b-day party?
Does the birthday girl/guy need to open all the gifts during the party? There will be around 20 to 30 people there,,, maybe a lot a gifts.... what's the rule on this?
A: At most adult parties, open the gifts while everyone is eating cake OR if no cake, then during the main eating time (like dinner or when the nacho cheese is still hot)
It is the job of the host/party planner to decide when the gifts are opened if at all.
Never open gifts at large parties or in mixed-guest parties (close friends plus not-so-well-acquainted guests)
If the guests at the party are close friends/family, open the gifts in front of eveyone and pass the gist around for eveyone to see
If they are not close, open them after everyone has left, OR make it a more formal gift-opening event.
If only a few people brought gifts, open the gifts after the party so no one feels uncomfortable about not bringing a gift
Of course, if you have friends like mine, they all want you to open gifts as they walk in the door so they can enjoy them at the party! This is ok too as long as you have those kind of friends... *grin*
Q: Should I go out of my way to give great birthday gifts?
Whenever my daughter is invited to birthday parties, I usually by a very special gift for the birthday person. I put some thought into the gifts that I buy. But, I've noticed that when her birthday comes around, we don't get that same consideration. She's received stuff from the dollar store and used stuff. I know that I should not be concered about gifts and its the thought that counts, I understand that, but just curious of what others think.
A: Whenever I buy gifts, I buy things that I would want for myself, whether they be cheap or expensive. What you're doing is fine, but if you're doing it 'coz you expect the same in return, that's wrong. Buy the gifts from the heart, not for show and don't expect the same in return. Not everyone is the same, but do your bit and don't worry about others. Pretty hard to do, but don't stoop as low as others, keep doing your bit....
Q: Do people in college buy one another birthday gifts?
I'm in college and have a friend whose birthday is coming up (not until October), but now that it's on my mind... do people in college buy one another birthday gifts? I could afford to get a gift for him, but since I know many people at college are on a tight budget I wasn't sure what is standard.
Thanks!
A: it depends on the relationship.i try to think: am i going to talk to this person outside of class, and would i hang out with them one on one...i usually try to follow that but it really just depends on you....if maybe you like him in a more than friends way than yeah "go for it girl"
Q: When should my son opens his birthday gifts?
My son will be turning two (lucky me) March 31, and we had planned on having his birthday on March 29, but had to postpone until April 5 because of pink eye. So should we allow him to open all his gifts on his birthday or should we allow him to open one on the 31st, and the rest on April 5th. We are not going to have a cake or anything until his birthday party.
A: Wait till his party. He is only two and doesn't realize what is going on at this point. Don't confuse him with "two parties" in his eyes!
Q: What are some good birthday gifts?
I'm bored and have nothing else to buy for myself, so im starting to buy my friends birthday gifts. What are some good gifts to give? Funny ones? Things below 100 please. I want them to be creative and cute. (btw, im in highschool if that helps) Thanks!
A: A good gift really depends on the person. But you don't need to spend much money on gifts--as long as it looks like you spent time on it any friend would appreciate it. Sorry if these are the cheesiest ideas you've ever heard, I am quite the cheeseball.
I know I personally don't enjoy getting gift cards; they don't seem as personal and I tend to lose them or forget about them.
If they're into fashion or cute accessories, get some supplies and unique beads or objects and make them a necklace, bracelet or earrings.
Or maybe a pair of socks or pajama pants with a funky pattern or funny sayings on them (when getting clothing, don't go for shoes, pants, or shirts--if they don't fit or they aren't your friends style they will just sit in her closet. PJs and socks are safer because they're casual.)
Also, try to avoid lotions, perfumes, makeups, or other beauty products. The friend could be nauseated by the smell, or even have an allergic reaction you're unaware of.
A decorated picture frame with a funny picture of you two in it would be nice to receive as well.
If you're just looking for a lighthearted something, get them a bag full of random little objects. Drug stores like Wal Greens, CVS, Walmart are good--you don't need anything fancy. Or in some stores like Claire's they have a 10 items for $5 bin in the back. Things like little nail polishes, keychains, bouncy balls, or any cool looking trinket that reminds you of an inside joke or memory with the friend.
Also, listen to them when they complain. If you remember that your friend's headphones just broke, they don't have anything good to read, or they're sick of the way their room is decorated, get something to meet their need.
Q: What's the best birthday gifts to get from USA for a 7 year-old girl who lives in Japan?
I am trying to buy a birthday gift for my friend's daughter who lives in Japan. What stuff from the United States are hot, popular items for Japanese girls? Toys? Movies? Clothes?
A: A ticket back to the US
Q: what are some ideas for good birthday gifts for a 19 year old girl ?
My friends birthday is coming up and I need help with ideas for a birthday gift I can get her
A: Victorias Secret gift card.. if she loves undies like I do..that's the place to get a giftcard too ( I am 19 also )
Movie Giftcard, I can really only give you giftcard ideas since i don't know your price range or what you guys do.
Well... when all else fails, her favorite bottle of liquor. ;) Never fails, and makes not only her happy, but everybody else! Or some gaNja - sorry if you're not into that stuff, but... thats what I would want!
Q: How to phrase "no birthday gifts required" on an invitation?
I have recently joined a mommy group. I want to invite them and their babies to a local park and have a little birthday celebration for my daughter who is turning one. I don't want the other moms to feel like they have to bring a gift and wanted to word that in the invitation politely. Any suggestions?
A: I recently got an invitation that read
We would appreciate your presence in lieu of any presents at this event!
Q: Do we need to buy two birthday gifts?
The parents of a girl in my preschooler's class are divorced. They are each giving her a birthday party. Do we need to take a gift to each party or is one gift enough?
A: I would go with the two cheaper gifts. Maybe you can put a little basket together with some fun stuff for kids...... bubbles, a box of animal crackers, and a barbie (something like that).... and then in the other one do bubbles, the box of animal crackers (you know, those fun little boxes?)....and maybe another barbie or one of those DVD's that you can get for like 5 dollars.
Here are some things kids love that are inexpensive (I work at a childcare center in a 3 & 4's classroom)
**A book with blank paper in it & crayons (much more fun than coloring in the lines of a coloring book. Giving blank pages lets the kids use their imagination)..you can do regular white paper or construction paper
**Crayons, markers, paints (you can get them for pretty cheep at a local WalMart, Crayola puts out a lot of cool things that are sold indevidually as well as little packets with coloring pages and special markers)
**Bubbles (bubbles are VERY fun! All the kids at the daycare love to blow and pop bubbles!)
You can even go to a dollar store and just pick up a bunch of stuff.....
In my opinion, if I were the parent I would not expect guests to bring a gift twice. I find it kind of silly that mom and dad cant stand to get alone for a few hours for their childs birthday party. Its kind of sad.....but at the same time I suppose every situation is different. Even if mom and dad just communicated to say "this half of the class is going to moms party, this half is going to dads party"....
Q: Stupid birthday gifts and don't know what to do with them ?
Everytime it's my birthday I get all kinds of stupid gifts and don't know how to tell this people nicely if it's cheap and something I don't like don't bother? My grandparents once gave me b-day card with a shiny red car in the cover referring to a female. I am a male??? That's what I mean??? Pointless gifts.
A: Don't tell them, I think it would really hurt their feelings, no matter how nicely you say it. It is hard to think of something to get for people and they love you enough to give ou a present, so just be nice and grown up and accept them with a smile and a "thankyou!"
The you can go and sell them on ebay, or donate them to white elephant stalls, or give them away as presents to someone who you think might like them.
=)
Q: What are the most popular birthday gifts for a female friend intrested to become an interior decorator?
My frined's birthday is coming up and I don't have the slightest idea what to get her. She is intrested in becoming an interior decorator. Any ideas?
A: Books on interior design would be ideal.
Q: What's the sweetest or coolest birthday gift you've ever gotten?What are some good ideas for cheap bday gifts?
I have been dating this guy for about a month now, and his birthday is comming up. I really like him, yet right now I'm pretty low on cash so I was wondering what would be a good birthday idea?
A: How about a book on one of his hobbies? For example, my husband likes to brew beer and rock climb. I've given him books of homebrew recipes and rock climbing tips.