I'm shameless

It's exactly two weeks to my birthday and I'd like to ask you all to please leave me a present here. Don't forget to write your url/username so I know where to send my thank you card.

I love presents.

When you care enough to send the very best

I grew up with that tag line, and I think it really must have brainwashed me because now, Hallmark e-cards are the only ones I send to family and friends abroad. They have e-cards for every occasion, every milestone, and "just because." There are traditional and classic designs, cartoons, graphic illustrations, beautiful photos—and many of them are interactive.

I have a strange feeling, though, that I enjoy choosing the e-cards more than the recipients enjoy viewing them.

All wrapped up

Because yesterday was a holiday, I was able to do something that I want to do monthly but usually can't: wrap all the birthday gifts for the month before the first birthday comes along. I place all the wrapped gifts on top of a low bookshelf on the second story landing so when the special day comes, I just grab the gift before going down to leave.

Most months, though, I either get to wrap only a few in one sitting or don't get to wrap any until the night before the person's birthday.

Gifts and gifts

Until two years ago, when I went on my monthly gift-buying expedition, I'd always buy two gifts per person on my list. One for her birthday, one for Christmas. That way, my Christmas shopping list is very, very short by the time November rolls around. I'd wrap the second gift in plastic and write the person's name with permanent marker and keep it on a shelf in my closet. It's a fantastic system for avoiding the December rush. The only caveat: you need lots of storage space for keeping the Christmas gifts for one entire year.

Keep a birthday book

It doesn't really take much to make people happy. I've discovered that in this life, it's usually the little things that matter. Take the tiny gesture of greeting someone on her birthday... you can now do it by sms, email, sending an e-card from one of many sites offering that service, or commenting in her blog. If she's right around the corner, you can actually call her up, visit her to greet her personally, or, if you're true girlfriends, go out to lunch or dinner. You can also choose to just air kiss, kiss and hug, or give a gift. But the point is, greet your friends Happy Birthday! It really doesn't take much effort.


What does take a little effort is remembering all those birthdays and anniversaries. And that's where a birthday book will come in handy. It doesn't matter whether it's an actual book, like this little beauty given me by my high school girlfriend, or your computer or cellphone calendar. Remembering your family and friends' special days will always keep you special in their book. And if you've lost touch with the person, then just remember to say a prayer and blessing for her, wherever she may be.