Birthday, ‘just because you’re you,’ special surprise GIFTS for Girlfriends!
My first job out of college was in Houston TX. Not knowing anyone and having minimal funds, I spent almost every weekend at my girlfriend’s apt. on the other side of town (which in Houston means it was an hour away). Neither of us had much discretionary income but we enjoyed just hanging out together, exploring our new home town and doing anything free we could find.
Paying college bills as well as adjusting to the real world, Paula and I had no money for Christmas gifts so we made up our own version of gifts. Before the internet and virtual worlds, we had virtual gifts. We didn’t go shopping or hang out at a mall. We gave each other little symbols or cut-outs of gifts that we would have bought for each other, you know, like if we had won the lottery! It was a memorable holiday because we put thought into the ‘gifts’ and creatively presented each one.
Last week was my friend Cath’s birthday. I love Cath and would enjoy nothing more than to give her a trip to somewhere with a fabulous beach or pay for something special that would make her days even sunnier like a gardener or weekly florist delivery. However, with $4/gallon of gas and other economic ‘challenges,’ those gifts will have to wait.
What do you do when you’re unable to spend as much as you’d like on girlfriend gift? What gifts have you received from a creative girlfriend that didn’t cost a bunch but meant so much? Please share in the comments.
Thanks Paula for that friendship and for being my thrifty friend when I really needed one! Thanks Cath too for understanding about the handmade necklace and recycled gifts!
NOTE: The photo above, Circle of Friends, is a gift of our girlfriend Caroline Chesire’s site: HealingBaskets.com. We interviewed Caroline for a very inspiring podcast. Listen in for ideas on gifts especially for girlfriends in trying situations like loss, health issues, etc. She gives great girlfriend advice! And, her site has wonderful girlfriend, caregiver, sister, mom, coworker gifts!
Tags: birthday gift, caroline cheshire, gift for girlfriend, girlfriend gift, healing baskets, recycled gifts, special gift
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On Jnuary 29th..THURSDAY I turn the big!!!!40!!!!!!!!! Any advice future girlfriends??
WOW! Melissa – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This is an amazing day to celebrate YOU and your friendships. I hope you have a day of special moments and memories with friends and that you receive wonderful gifts and lots of attention!
Come back and share your birthday celebration with us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Debba & the Girlfriendology girls!
Thanks bunches Debba and Gfg’s!!!!! I rec’d a ring from hubby and a bathroom makeover from my awesome mother!!! My new “Kissing Angels” bathroom looks BEAUTIFUULLL!!!! I hope everyone has wonderful birthdays this year.-sweetmelissax1
OK we have all been in the place where you do not have the money to get that special someone the gift that you want, And unfortonatly sometimes you have absolutly no money at all. here are 2 ideas that worked for me.
1. I made a SMILE JAR. Ok let me explane its not as dumb as it sounds. I took an old jar, and started making little notes. Anything I could think of that when read would make them SIMLE. Some of them were famous quotes, Some were just my thoughts on life, some were kind words about that person. When the jar was full I wrapped it up and gave it to them.
Over the years I had forgoten about the jar, Then one day out of the blue my friend brought it up, it had been almost 5 years and they still have it and read the little notes when ever they are in need of a smile.
Sometimes its not the amount of money that you spend but the thought that goes into it.
2. another thing I have done, I have this friend that no matter how hard I try I always forget their birthday. So this year i was determined to remeber. SO each day for almost a month I sent them a birthday poem that I had written just for them. Just a little something to let them know that I cared and was thinking of them.
Just a few ideas of the many that I have done for people over the years that cost nothing at all.