My daughter had a last minute birthday party to attend and I did not know the recipient enough to have an appropriate gift. I also did not have enough money for a store bought gift. This is what I did, I scrounged a metal tea canister from the trash, and drilled a hole on the top for a piggy bank. My daughter decorated it and we filled it to the top with pennies, nickles, and only a few quarters at the top! The birthday child loved counting and recounting his money. Our gift was truly original and more creative than stuffing money into an envelope.
Never be caught off guard by a forgotten birthday again! Elegantly wrap a little tin of mints, a tiny picture frame, a fancy pen, or a deck of playing cards; then keep it in your purse, glove box, or desk drawer. Some greeting card companies even make palm-sized cards and envelopes that you can tuck into your wallet for emergency situations!
Also keep a box of birthday candles handy. It's easy to buy a vending-machine cupcake, but the candle makes it look like you thought about it.
WARNING: Overuse of these tricks can make it look as though you don't really care.
The whole point is to remind the people in your life how much you think about them. Be sure to write special days down and plan adequately!
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