What do you do when it’s someone’s birthday? If you’re like most people, you get a card, buy something at the mall, maybe a box of chocolates, and call it a day.
And not that that’s not nice, but isn’t it a little basic? I get it, I get it. Your friend’s birthday just snuck up on you, and you didn’t have the time to really think about the gift, but these safe options are all really bland. Actually, they’re not only bland, they’re also forgettable because who will remember an Amazon gift card? A framed note with an inside joke would have been much better.
Unless it’s for someone you don’t care that much about, your gift should say more than “happy birthday”. It should say “I know you,” “I thought of you,” “You mean a lot to me,” “I wanted to give you something that actually matters”.
If you’re tired of recycling the same three gifts every year, keep reading.
Meaningful Gift Ideas
Sooner or later, most gifts get used up, messed up, stuck in a drawer somewhere, maybe even regifted.
But some gifts don’t end up this way, so let’s see what those are.
Experiences You Share Together
An experience will last longer than any object, and what’s even better about them is that you can enjoy them together.
If your friend likes cooking, find a class close by. If they’re outdoorsy, plan a hike and a picnic. There’s no need to spend an enormous amount of money or make things too complicated; it just needs to be something that the other person already likes.
You’ll see that the point isn’t even in the activity but in the time you spent together and the memories you created.
Keepsakes with Personal Stories
Sometimes, an object is just an object.
But if it’s tied to a memory or a moment, it’s much more than a random trinket. A necklace is a beautiful gift, but having it engraved will give it meaning. You could also buy a journal and then stamp their initials on it, or frame a drawing of their favorite place.
And every time the other person sees or holds the gift, they’ll remember the story behind it, which is exactly what makes keepsakes so powerful.
Art
The art that someone hangs in their home has a big impact on the atmosphere they live in every day.
If you decide to give artwork as a gift (and I think that you should because who doesn’t love art?!), it will be a daily reminder for that person. Of course, you’ll want to get something they’ll like, so go with art that reflects their values and dreams. It could be a landscape in specific colors, a motivational phrase, something tied to their religion, or a memory you share together.
Artwork that reflects religion is especially powerful, such as scripture wall art or paintings of religious scenes.
Words
I’m not saying you should tell them you love them and have that be a gift.
What I mean by ‘words’ is a handwritten letter, a poem, a short story, a collection of notes from friends and family… Things like that. Words are incredibly powerful and meaningful, and the person can re-read them whenever they want.
Get a nice jar and fill it with little notes, or get a bound book of letters. It’s a gift that will last way, way beyond the birthday.
Handmade Pieces
Buying a knick-knack in a store takes zero effort, and the other person knows that very well.
But that’s not the case with handmade items. If you can knit, why not make a scarf? Scarves are extremely easy to make and, to be honest, knitting really isn’t hard to learn. If you don’t like that idea, you could bake a cake, make bread, or paint a small painting.
It doesn’t matter if it’s not perfect. Actually, I’d say it’s even better if it isn’t.
The point is that it’s personal and that it shows you care.
Your Time
It sounds ridiculous, but hear me out. Let’s say you have a friend who’s a new mom.
Now, if you know anything about having a baby, you know how stressful and time-consuming it is. Instead of buying a random sweater at Forever 21, why not write out vouchers? One voucher could be good for 3 hours of babysitting, another one for doing the laundry, vacuuming, doing the dishes, going grocery shopping, whatever.
I can promise you your friend will appreciate this more than anything you can buy.
Conclusion
A birthday should never be about the stuff. It should be about making the person feel special and loved.
Literally anyone can grab a candle from Bath & Body Works and a gift card, but only a few people will take the time and effort to make someone else feel appreciated. And I’m not saying I don’t like candles!
Trust me, my entire life would smell like Champagne Toast if that were possible, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t rather get something meaningful as a gift.
