Birthday Ideas & Advice

Most people enjoy receiving happy birthday cards. When those cards are funny, it can put a big smile in the recipient’s day. When they are free, it can put a big smile in the sender’s day!

Free, funny, happy birthday cards are plentiful on the Internet. Some sites provide free cards as an incentive to convince you to become a paying member. Others simply provide complimentary cards at no cost. If you are thinking of sending a free, funny, happy birthday card, consider these tips.

Tip #1 – Consider the Recipient’s Sense of Humor

Free, funny, happy birthday cards are not always viewed as “funny” by the recipient. Not everyone has the same idea of what is funny and what is not. While you may think a given birthday card is extremely funny, you should stop and think about the recipient before sending it. It may not be funny to him or her. It may even be offensive. If the card is for your grandmother, think about the things that make her laugh. Would she laugh at the birthday card you are about to send? Is the humor her style, or is it brash and edgy even for your generation? The birthday card should be funny to the recipient.

Tip #2 – Consider the Recipient’s Interests

Free, funny, happy birthday cards, while being humorous to the recipient, may not appeal to their interests. The goal in sending a birthday card is to make the recipient happy. If the birthday card is a funny joke about ballet dancers, a wrestler may wish you had chosen something more in line with his interests. Take time to think about the person to whom you are sending the birthday card, and about the things that interest that person most.

Tip #3 – Consider the Recipient’s Age Sensitivity

In other words, if those free, funny, happy birthday cards mock the old age of a person who is unhappy about getting older, it will be neither funny nor happy. A woman who uses anti-wrinkle cream day and night will not enjoy a birthday card that reminds her of increasing wrinkles. A man who gets Botox injections every 5 months will not appreciate a birthday card that shows a furrowed brow. Some people grow old gracefully. Some do not. Know how the recipient feels about aging and choose a funny birthday card that will not offend those feelings.

Tip #4 – Consider Your Reputation

Some people send funny birthday cards anonymously because they would be ashamed to have people know they were sending smut. Stop and consider your reputation. If you are ashamed to sign your name, you should not send that birthday card. If you would be ashamed to have the recipient learn that it was from you, choose another card. You obviously believe it is not appropriate. Have the courage to do what you know is right.

Tip #5 – Consider Your Friendship’s Value

There is nothing wrong with sending birthday cards that are free. You may be unable to afford anything more. If you can afford more, though, think about why you are choosing a free birthday card. Do you care enough to spend a little money? Do you appreciate that person – and value their friendship or their place in the family enough to invest in helping them enjoy the day? Membership at a greeting card website is not expensive, and you gain access to the best of the cards when you invest. Consider your friend or loved one. Is that person worthy of a birthday card that cost you something?

Tip #6 – Consider Being Serious

Finally, think about whether the recipient would rather have a serious, thoughtful birthday card. Many people are afraid to send birthday cards that are serious. They are afraid to express their true feelings toward others. They become uncomfortable with anything that is not funny. Ill-at-ease and lacking in self-confidence, they rely on funny birthday cards. The recipient, however, might treasure a birthday card that expresses your feelings sincerely.

Whatever birthday card you choose to send, make it such that the person celebrating a birthday will sense that you took time to think about him or her.

Why choose a handmade card over a bought one? It’s easy to see why. There you are at birthday time, hoping, and perhaps expecting that your nearest and dearest will make the effort to give you a card. What would say most about how they feel about you?

A bought card that could be given to any Tom, Dick or Harry? Or a handmade card that they’ve taken time and effort over?

It’s a no-brainer really, isn’t it? What type of card is likely to be appreciated the most, shared with others and kept for the longest time…?

Yes, whilst we might be impressed by the quality of a bought card (usually unlikely) or indeed the sentiment (often bland), it’s pretty certain that the handmade has it.

Now before you go rushing to the corner fearing that your handmade, will look home-made, panic not and look at the bigger picture – the emotion and feeling behind the thought.

1. Do you really think that your nearest and dearest will ‘pick apart’ a handmade offering?

2. Is it probable that they will eye it with expert scrutiny and notice every scissor nick, every glue spot and every tiny embellishment as they take in your lovingly crafted card?

I think not! Hopefully they will be overwhelmed by the effort you’ve taken, the love you’ve imparted and the feelings and affection you’re sharing as you create a birthday card, especially for them.

Of course, if you’re known to be great at these things then there may be more expectation on the type and complexity of the card you plan to give, but in my view that’s when the whole social point of these occasions can get a little out of proportion.

What, essentially, is the point of a birthday card after all?

1. To show love and affection for the birthday person

2. To acknowledge the passing of another year

3. To celebrate making it through the past year

I’ve only listed 3 here and no doubt you’ll think of others.

The point of a handmade birthday card is not to get marks out of 10 for your efforts, it’s to exchange affection. Seen in that light, it should take the pressure off.

On the other side of things though, you’ve got to acknowledge how your card will be received (yes, even after you’ve done the soul searching of how, and why you make it in the first place). It’s to be hoped that the recipient will receive it in the spirit in which it was made.

Simply: you make it with love, and they receive it with love. It seems pretty obvious that you wouldn’t put in too much time and effort to make a birthday card for someone who’s unlikely to appreciate it. Chances are that such a person might not be on your birthday card list anyway and wouldn’t warrant even a ’shop-bought’ card.

So what it boils down to then is not the finished product, but the purpose and motivation behind the card.

Oh I know that’s easy for me to say. Yes, we shouldn’t care really about looks, but concentrate on the point of it all.

Maybe we should think about how we got carried away into into the card and gift giving process in the first place. In the ‘olden days’ there was nothing else for it – you made both your greeting cards and your gifts. People became inventive in what they created and everything was accepted in the spirit in which it was intended.

But then too, there weren’t any expensive alternatives.

Do you really think you’ll be judged on the type of card you give?

It’s true that we get swept into the social exchange of cards and gifts often without thinking of the real cost of the process. What value do we place on making a card for someone we care about?

Those in the craft industry understand this well. Making cards is big business. Cards sell on both the look and the message. Shop cards, kit cards; they all vie for our attention, and we can get caught up in the appearance of the thing.

Perhaps its time to go back to basics again as they did in days gone by. It’ll take a brave soul to shun convention and create a birthday card for the sheer joy of it. Because the cynic in me knows that looks usually win over sentiment.

But what’s wrong with making a birthday card without worrying about the finish and presentation, and concentrating on the process instead?

If we’ve chosen the right recipient then the Birthday boy or girl will love it all the same.

Now the chances are, although you may have smelled her favourite on her, you have no idea what it’s called. It gets worse as its her birthday and you are looking on-line to get a good price but have left it to the last moment. There will be no judgement from me that’s just the way you men do things!

Women will tend to favour a particular scent type but will more than likely have several scents, from different ranges, to go with the mood she is in and the activity. Women tend to have the everyday favourite they wear to be crisp and lighter and then the more sensual heavier smells they wear for seduction and romance but they will also have favourites to wear for special occasions, such as meals out and family parties.

This may initially confuse you, but the smells she wears for you will be the special ones, the smells for work and the gym are her every day ones. So you have a bit of a problem! Think really hard about how she smells, not the “I’ve just got out the shower” smell that’ll be her shampoo, but the “we’re making the effort to go out smell”. What does it smell like?

If you think its Floral, Flowery or Sweet then “Pleasures’ by Estee Lauder is a very sweet smelling perfume that is floral and reflects a woman’s needs to experience the softer things in life. It was launched in 1996, as is for the modern woman, to rejuvenate her in any situation.

Floral but Sharp or Oceanic then I would recommend trying “Dune’ by Christian Dior. Dune is a sweet fragrance that has sharp aspect too and if your girlfriend likes something floral but with a little kick. Dune bring a sense of serenity and well being because of the mixture of the floral and sharp, Dior is an expensive brand and although it may not be her exact favourite she may just have found her new one!

Musky, Earthy or Oriental then Emporio by Armani is one of the best examples of sexy spicy scent, it was launched in 1998 but is an instant classic, especially with the male counterpart also available. This feminine scent possesses a blend of all things oriental, jasmine fruits and heliotrope and then an infusion of cedar, vanilla and musk to complement.

Sharp, Sweet or Citrus then Citrus is growing in popularity as it is fresh and light and has an uplifting element, sometime chosen as more of a daily wear perfume because it is so light. Lancome O De Lancome is a light and serene perfume and was launched in 1969, it is youthful and fun and very modern.

Modern then a classic scent of Chanel No 5 is the perfect gift for any woman who wants to get a new signature scent and for any man wanting to really impress his loved one. She will know the name and know just how much you have spent and be thrilled by having such a special and expensive bottle. She will probably only wear it once a year because it will be so precious to her.

Remember the early days of your dating relationship? What a time you both had. It seemed like every moment you got together it was music, fun and excitement. Some of your family and friends even hated to see you coming because the two of you were so into each other it made people nauseous. You are probably right when you say they were just jealous. And guess what? Neither one of you could have cared less. The relationship was fresh, spontaneous and exhilarating.

And then it happened. You cannot quite put your finger on when exactly it took place but it happened. Whether it occurred sometime after you got married or six months into your dating relationship is inconsequential. All you know is the music, fun and excitement went on permanent vacation. What took their place? The routine.

One of the mains reasons many couples get blind sided by the routine is the seduction of familiarity. You naturally want to become well acquainted with the other person in the hopes that it leads to greater intimacy between the two of you. That is the point of relationships. Unfortunately, familiarity also inspires a certain amount of self-satisfaction. In other words consciously or unconsciously, many couples tell themselves the prize has been won so there is no need to continue the game.

While some people do not consider this a big deal, in essence it is a planted seed that can spell trouble somewhere down the road. It is only a hop, skip and a jump from familiarity to routine to dissatisfaction.

Now there is no question that your relationship is going to have certain amount of routine due, in some part to circumstances beyond your control; for instance your work schedules may only allow the two of you to get together on specific days and times. However there are things you can do to keep the relationship fresh:

1. The Thrill of the Impulsive

When your relationship was just starting out, spontaneity ruled. The two of you did not even think twice about hopping into a car and going to places you had never been or trying out a new restaurant with food you never heard of. There was something thrilling and wonderful about not knowing what you were getting into yet still having the courage to explore anyway.

Routine tells you to be rational and self conscious. What if people are looking or you run into someone you both know? The answer is “who cares?” Sure being spontaneous may not work out every time but do it anyway and go with the flow. Unplanned adventures big or little have a way of adding excitement and in many cases some serious laughs to the relationship which is very healthy and great way to reconnect.

2. It is Not Your Birthday

Or anniversary or any other major routine event but do not let that stop you from buying small gifts for each other. In fact you can just as easily create your own special days. It could be the anniversary of your third date or the time you both laughed through the worst movie you ever saw. Occasionally giving a small gift for no particular reason lets the other person know that they are always in your heart.

3. Date Again

Not just going out to dinner either because that also can become routine. Instead plan a time outside of your normal schedules and treat it like you did during the early days of the relationship. Get yourselves spruced up. Go at it with the mindset that you are making every effort to make a good impression. Having a special time together at least once a week can throw a beautiful monkey wrench into the routine machine. .

It is nothing out of the ordinary for a relationship to lose some of its zing over time. The problem comes when couples accept the routine as normal and do not do anything to restore the excitement and unpredictability they once had. You can always reverse the process by being spontaneous, give small gifts for no reason other than to let the other person know you love them and start dating again like it is the first time. This all requires constant effort but the payoff of an exciting relationship is well worth it.

It’s her birthday. Someone special like her deserves an extra special gift. It has been days that you have been racking your mind to find the perfect one for her but to no avail. What do you do in such a situation? Don’t fret as your gift expert is right here to pull you out of this dilemma. Read on as this article lists the top ‘gift ideas for her’ that would surely be to her liking.

Diamonds will always remain a girl’s best friend. This time around, gift her the18 karat white gold necklace by Forzieri and watch the gleam in her eyes. Its diamond flower necklace has created waves in the market and is in the wish list of every woman today.

If she is musically inclined, nothing would make her happier than a personalized laser-engraved iPod Nano in red. The red is the colour of passion and is also the favourite of most women. The iPod comes with 4GB of memory that is sufficient to store all her favourites to be enjoyed anywhere and anytime!

Don’t let her mature demeanour mislead you as women will always be girls at heart. Warm cuddles are something that is sure to bring an equally warm smile to her face. They are a little on the cheaper side but the joy it will bring to her and consequently to you is priceless!

Don’t all women love to store, preserve and cherish their favourite moments by putting them in a picture frame for all to view? The eight-inch digital picture frame (metal) by Philips can be the ideal birthday gift for any woman on this planet.

Birthdays are meant to be celebrated. And nothing brings more joy to you than receiving a token of love from your loved one. So ladies, be ready for a surprise as any of the beautiful gift ideas mentioned above can be yours this time around. As for the guys, have you already chosen what to present as a birthday gift to that special woman in your life?

Your sign of the Zodiac is determined by the position of the sun in respect of that particular zodiac, where the sun was situated during the time of your birth. Thus it is a pleasant idea to wish someone on his or her birthday with a special zodiac birthday ecard. Since, that person’s behavior and personal characteristics are the consequences of that particular zodiac sign; so it’s a nice idea to send an ecard that acknowledge the zodiac sign of your dear one, after all, if you really believe in it then the person is what he is because of his zodiac sign!

Before you go ahead and send a zodiac birthday ecards to your friends and family members, it’s a good idea to explore each of the zodiac sign a little, so you can have a deeper understanding and a better chance of analyzing that person’s psyche.

Aries: The characteristics and personal traits of an Aries are signified in its astrological symbol, a ram. Aries are determined to become successful from the very beginning of any venture. They are doers with amazing energy and enthusiasm. It can be difficult for the others to keep pace with an Aries but they are charmed by their vitality none the less. At times they can be a little harsh and inconsiderate to others. Aries can become stimulated and aggressive at the prospect of any challenging situation but if you take away the physical activity they tend to become miserable and demoralized.

Cancer: Cancerians are quite sentimental and emotional. They have a tendency to do things with a roundabout manner and during any hostile situation they mask their true aspiration until a more comfortable situation becomes evident. They can easily appeal to the emotions of others as Cancerians can make anyone feel close to them and inspire others with encouragement and support. They are very loyal partners but prone to mood swings and emotional volatility.

Libra: Librans are intellectual, strong willed and charming persons. They try to avoid hurting others and unpleasant confrontations at all cost, even if that means to postpone their immediate goals. They are intellectually stimulated beings; they tend to judge everything on an intellectual level, which may seem dispassionate at times. Librans accomplish their objective by using a unique blend of wit and intelligence, they are averse to crowd but enjoy closeness with a chosen few.

Capricorn: Capricorns are enthusiastic doers. They work better within well defined plans and guidelines. They are allured by power and position and they are not reluctant to take challenging responsibilities. Capricorns hate the idea to show their weakness or incapability in something and always want to be admired and respected by others. Though endowed with a good sense of humor, they get easily annoyed if someone makes fun of them.

Taurus: Taureans are stubborn and find it difficult to get accustomed to new ideas and customs. They have an uncanny ability to stick to a certain job until they get it finished. On a personal level they get very possessive about all their relationships as they feel concerned for their personal security. Taureans like to mix with people and have a good sense of humor.

Leo: The personals traits of a Leo are signified in its astrological symbol. The lion symbolizes almost majestic authority over everything. They rarely change their attitude or opinion on others request. Leo persons do not forgive or forget their offenders easily. But their kindness and passion attracts many friends and admirers.

Scorpio: Scorpios have the greatest emotional strength. Their strong will and the inclination to stick to something, make them successful in everything they do. Scorpios can easily exercise power and control over others but jealousy and excessive possessiveness are the weak traits of their personality.

Aquarius: Loyalty, intellectualism, fairness and objective thinking, these are the personal traits that Aquarians represent. At times they can be stubborn and averse to change but often their ideas and principles become the source of shared benefit for the entire humanity. They are often fascinated by unusual and unique ideas, though Aquarians can get too far away from reality in their philosophical and intellectual pursuit.

Gemini: Geminis are quite flexible when it comes to adapting to a certain situation. They have an uncanny ability to comprehend what’s going on inside others mind; moreover they are quite dexterous in impersonating others. Though lack of concentration is their vulnerable point but through their cheerful and friendly nature they enjoy a good social life.

Virgo: Virgos are good at adapting to changing situation and people. They are introverted and idealistic individuals. They are quite analytical and cherish a desire to improve almost everything. Virgos try to keep away from the spotlight but at the same time they can be quite good in negotiating.

Sagittarius: Sagittarians crave for freedom and independence in every sphere of their lives. They are quick and skilled in adapting different occupations. They are seekers of knowledge and wisdom. Sagittarians are always on the look out for any opportunity to expand their sphere of learning. They have an excellent sense of humor and appreciate wit even in gloomy situations.

Pisces: Pisceans are shy, sensitive and vulnerable. They aspire to be perfect in everything they do and often they have lofty ideals. Pisceans can easily blend with the changing circumstances and eagerly empathize with other’s feelings. In their search for perfection and ideal they often seek refuge in spiritual and religious pursuit.

Now, that you have a perspective of each of the zodiacs, you can quite easily probe deep in to the psyche of your friend or family members. You can now make sense, why that person behaved in a particular way on a particular time. This understanding about the zodiac throws light on the human behavior and makes you a better judge of characters. So if you are planning to wish some one on his or her birthday, it’s a great idea to gift a free zodiac birthday ecard, because the specially designed zodiac birthday ecard reminds us that the personal traits of that person are determined by the sign of the zodiac, after all we are all made of stars!

Know when to back off. Many a wayward girlfriend assumes her affectionate attention is welcome by her man until he asks for a little space. The problem with this theory is that when a man is forced to fight for his alone time, he becomes jealously defensive of it and resents his girlfriend, this clingy wench who conspires to steal it from him at every turn. Schedule time for yourself, away from him, during peak hours (Friday and Saturday evenings, or whenever your time is most cherished). This will give your man a chance to kick back with the boys and give you an opportunity to remain your own person. On that note, be sure to remain your own person. It is vital in every relationship not to define yourself in terms of your significant other. Get a few hobbies. Better yet, join a club. Convey yourself to your man. Women become emotional and upset far more easily than men, and it is assumed that this is because men have fewer feelings than women. This is not so. Men have just as many feelings as women, but we convey them instantly, unfiltered and often unnoticed, as soon as they are felt. This results in the reputed insensitivity of the gender (as well as the inability of men to relate to love stories, which rely on a great deal of implied, emotions). It helps if you are the same way with your man, telling him the honest-to-goodness truth about what he says and does as it happens. Don’t be aggressive or antagonistic. Observe men, watch them relate to one another, and repeat their behavior. Punch him in the arm if it comes to that. This release will make you seem far less unpredictable and moody, making you good company for most men. Don’t assume that doing nice things for your man, even things that are traditionally viewed as subservient, will make him view you as any less independent. This is a big one, and it is especially effective if life is starting to take its toll. If he’s had a stressful week at work or a rough string of midterms, wait until he has some free time and make it nice with his favorite meal (served casually; formal dinners require effort on his part and can be a burden). If he’s feeling a little down, bring him a serving of his favorite sugary snack food. If he comes home and looks absolutely ravaged, collapses on the futon and exhales deeply as though the weight of the world is on his shoulders, bring him a beer and let him tell you what’s wrong. General kindness, without the requirement of reciprocation, will work wonders on a man’s mood and allow him to associate the resulting happiness with none other than the caring woman who made it all possible. Most importantly, keep your good deeds varying and changing so they do not become confused for actual submission. You’re doing him a favor, after all. This may not work for all kinds of men. Do never lie to your guy about where you are going, or what you are thinking off. Telling a truth that hurts is so much better than a man to discover a lie – this will most probably hurt him a lot, and seriously damage the relationship, especially because men by default are way more upfront with how they feel, and what they are doing.

Tips Do not leave affectionate notes for your man to find in any public place. These can be humiliating, even if he appreciates the thought, and will make him seem less professional and independent. Do not use cuddly nicknames when anyone else is in earshot, even strangers. I know he’s your “pooky bear” when you’re alone in your living room, but as far as the rest of the world is concerned he should be King Richard the Lionheart, Chuck Norris, St. Paul, Rambo, Rocky, William Wallace, Sir Francis Drake, Vlad the Impaler, Mr. Spock or “Joltin” Joe DeMaggio, however his taste may fall. Don’t fake interest in something. Either be interested in his activities or leave him to them. Faking interest might thrill him in the short-run, but when your lack of genuine interest begins to show himself he will be deeply disappointed. Don’t assume that you’re welcome to hang around your man as he works, studies, or pursues his hobbies at home. He needs to concentrate, and women are generally a negative force on a man’s ability to focus. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make a sound. They can smell you. Do not call him more than once a day. I know, the phone begins to whisper to you after a while, telling you that he may be doing something he wants to talk to you about, but you must resist temptation. He needs to feel as though he isn’t on a leash, that he can do things without informing you if he so chooses. Calling him on a daily basis establishes you as controlling, nosy, and, worst of all, clingy. When arguments occur, do not take an air of authority, superiority, or antagonism. Listen to his points and calmly, with no sign of your inner annoyance, make your rebuttal. Not only with this help to diminish squabbles, but he’ll be more likely to concede future arguments to you, knowing that you won’t rub his face in defeat. Win graciously,lose graciously, and hopefully he’ll soon follow suit. Men like it when their women look good. You don’t have to do anything drastic; get a new hairstyle every now and then and look for his reaction, buy a dress if you know he likes them. Guys are oblivious to the obvious sometimes though, so don’t take it to heart if he doesn’t notice right away. Buy practical presents. Men don’t usually like candles, soaps, decorative items, posters, and especially clothing. I know it’s cliché, but buy him tools, man-toys, video games, or tickets/subscriptions to things you know he’ll enjoy. Also, you know the difference between what your man actually enjoys and what you want him to enjoy. His birthday is not the time to foster that taste for Don Giovanni you’ve been hoping he’d pick up. Be honest with him. If you like Salsa dancing and want him to try it, ask him, but let him know that you won’t hate him for saying no. If your dream is to live in Scotland one day, tell him so he can make plans accordingly. Some men don’t want to date a dominatrix, so clue him in before you cuff him to the bedposts. The possibility that your man disagrees with some of your opinions is the risk you take for having them in the first place, he’ll be more upset learning about things he doesn’t like if you’ve been hiding them from him.

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is one of those wonderful occasions on which everybody wants to get a little pampered and spoiled but if you don’t even remember that it’s the birthday of some one close to you, well…obviously he won’t feel very good about it.

How would you feel, if you expect someone to wish you on your birthday and you end up knowing that he or she doesn’t even bother to remember that day. It’s certainly a nice sensation to receive loads of birthday wishes from friends and family members; it makes you feel loved and cared for. Wishing some one happy birthday or sending a nice little happy birthday ecard on that very day makes the birthday boy or girl glow in the warmth of love and affection. But what if with all your sincere love and longing you end up forgetting the birthday of your near and dear ones? A few simple steps can help you avoid such an awkward situation.

The conventional way of remembering birthday is what our grandparents have been doing for ages. All you need to do is keep a little note book. It’s best if you can get hold of one of those tiny winy year planners. Just write down the name of your closest friends and family members, along with the date on which they were born and make a habit of checking the note book every three or four days. It’s an excellent idea provided you remember checking out the note book regularly.

Another way of remembering birthday is quite similar to the former method but the new technology has made it a lot more easy. Simply install a reminder software and key in the birthday details that you want to remember and your computer will do the rest.

But if you don’t want go in to all that hassle of working with a reminder-software, the best possible way to never regret for not remembering someone’s birthday is to opt for an online free birthday ecard site, which lets you choose a specific future date to send the ecard. Some of the online free ecard sites have the option of assigning a post date on which the receiver will get the ecard in his or her inbox. You can check out some free Birthday Ecard sites like 123greetings.com

All you need to do once you visit the free ecard site, is to choose the birthday ecard that you think is ideal for that person; personalize the ecard with your warm and heartfelt birthday wish and then choose the date of that person’s birthday, which can even be a month away and the free birthday ecard with your own personal message will be sent on that chosen date! You just sit in front of the computer once a month and send all those birthday wishes all at once and each one of them will receive your birthday ecard precisely on their birthday!

Now when he or she calls you up, all excited and thank you for remembering the date and making the birthday really special by sending the ecard right on the birthday, you can enjoy the feeling of making some one feel special and cheerful and all that with very little effort from your side.

Christmas and New Year’s Day are undoubtedly, the most celebrated holidays of the year. Yet, when someone is asked about their most cherished day on the calendar, one always thinks of one’s birthday. While holidays like Christmas, Easter and New Year possess a general happy mood, birthdays are more close to the heart; It’s a personal occasion of celebration. It’s one’s own day; as if the day was made only for the one born on that day. This makes one feel so very special. In fact, wishing Happy Birthday brings forth a wider smile than a Merry Christmas. Friends would forgive you, if you forgot to wish them a Happy New Year (they understand, you must be busy partying), but forgetting to wish your friend on his or her birthday is a crime and considered illegal by the laws of friendship.

The gift need not be a huge or expensive gift packet from your end, a short SMS or Ecard is sufficient to make your friend feel special. And birthday surprises are the cherry on the cake. Who doesn’t like surprises in this world? It can be a surprise gift, a surprise visit or a surprise party. But keep in mind, surprises need a bit of prior planning. It also requires a bit of acting, sometimes particularly when you meet the birthday boy or girl on that day, and pretend not to remember about anything. Surprise parties or gifts need to be well hidden from the person concerned. For example, if you live away from your family or friends you can pay a visit on their birthday. For sure, it would make their day (or rather make their birthday).Make sure, they don’t get any idea beforehand; not even a hint.

When it comes to birthday parties, buy all the ingredients of your party few days before, book and decorate your venue ahead of time, and food should also ready right on cue. The birthday cakes, candles and gifts are a must. But all these should be done in secret. The venue can be also a surprise. One common idea is to decorate the birthday person’s office before they arrive for the day or their home before they return. Apart from that, a novel idea would be to blind fold the birthday guy and make them sit in a car (Yes! Sounds like kidnapping) and drive them to the venue, which could be a restaurant, a hotel or another friend’s place.

While deciding on the gift, try to recall something that the birthday person desired, but was unable to get up till now. For example, may be someone wanted to watch an old movie (their childhood favorite) for a long time but could not find the DVD anywhere. Do some research and find it for them. It can also be any dress that the birthday girl yearned for, every time she passed by a particular shop window. Or as an even more professional gesture make the birthday boy’s favorite barbecue chicken, which he believes only you have the magic recipe for. It can be just anything that the person longs for and is not expecting at all.

No matter who you are or how old you are, a birthday is always a very special day. It’s a day which is special for many different reasons to many different people. I often feel that to my mother my birthday is more special than her own, maybe because I am her firstborn. Ever thought about the people to whom your birthday is far more important than it is to you? In our busy lives, we can afford to dismiss the significance of the day but our near and dear ones never fail. They always remind us in the most memorable ways exactly how much they care.

When it comes to celebrating the birthday of someone we love and care for, all the special moments shared are remembered and an earnest urge to reach out grows. Surprise parties, gifts and wishes galore are the highlight of the day. But what if you are forced to miss the birthday of your mother, brother, wife or father or maybe your boyfriend for some pre scheduled business meeting? In this high tech age, very few questions remain unanswered for long. For such unfortunate souls, ecards are a boon! A pre planned effort to schedule an ecard to be sent every day of the week leading to the special day like a count down to the event can work wonders to ease the guilt. This is also a good way to make a long work week interesting and exciting till the gala evening comes with showers of gifts, food and drinks. After all, the manner of giving is known to be worth more than the gift.

Remember the first hundred years are the hardest and so lets all make it a point to be there to make the passing of each one memorable.

But after all said and done, like the saying goes, the best way to remember your wife’s birthday is to forget it once.