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  1. Retirement Gift Ideas

    by gift bounty

    Imagine facing your last day at work, say you’ve worked for the last 50 years? You can bet that retiring from the work force after such a long time period is going to be a little bit daunting for anyone. So what are some appropriate retirement gift ideas for someone who has finally reached that point in their life? Let’s discuss.

    The Joys of Spare Time

    As you may have experienced before, having a lot of spare time can sometimes be a little boring, so when thinking of gift ideas for retirement, understand the fact that this person will suddenly be faced with one thing. Time. So with this in mind, the sorts of gifts that can work really well are items like books or hobby gifts.

    Does he Golf, or Garden, or enjoy wine and gourmet food? Presents surrounding something that the retiree loves to do outside of work are perfect, because they won’t be working anymore of course!

    So think golf balls, or personalized garden stakes or garden stones, or just a hamper basket of wine and gourmet food.

    Corporate Retirement Gifts

    Obviously coming up with retirement gift ideas is important in the work place, as that is where the person is actually retiring! Maybe people are not completely familiar with the person’s out of work interests and hobbies, and if this is the case, something a little more ‘safe’ can be the best way to go.

    Items that work well here are things like Retirement Mugs, Pillows, Hats & Caps. Personalized gifts work great as presents from colleagues and co-workers. What about an engraved pen, or a personalized paper weight? Or a brand new watch with a message on the back of the watch face thanking them for all of their hard work.

    Or keep it simple, maybe everyone can just put some money in and purchase a large gift voucher, so they can enter retirement in style. A voucher for a couple of long massages perhaps (so they can relax after all those years of hard work) – or if they enjoy arts and crafts, or gardening, what about a voucher for the local home depot store so they can get started straight away!

    Funny Retirement Gifts

    Getting the retiree a humorous gift can also be a fun. What about a hilarious retirement book, there are heaps available, so just find one that will best suit the person. Don’t get anything that could be construed as offensive – unless you know the person well enough that you’re positive they will appreciate the humor.

    Or maybe a clock or sign that reads, ‘Who Cares, I’m Retired’. Or t-shirts with funny retirement quotes also work really well. So cups, clocks, neckties, photo frames all with funny quotes or slogans are a good choice. Just something fun to farewell them off from the workforce and into the golf green grass and Hawaiian shirt wearing of retirement.

    These types of presents tend to work best as retirement gift ideas for men, but don’t pigeon hole yourself, have a look online and see what is available. I think you’ll be surprised at the amount of retirement gift choices there are out there!

    Look, at the end of the day, apply a bit of common sense to the whole gift buying affair. If they love to garden, get them something gardening related. If they love sports, get them something sports related. See where I’m going with that? If you’re not sure what their interests are, stick with a book, personalized keepsake item, or a mug etc. Don’t let it stress you out, coming up with retirement gift ideas shouldn’t make you want to retire as well!

    Now, how long is it until I get to retire…?


  2. 60th Birthday Gift Ideas

    by gift bounty

    “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

    When searching for great 60th birthday gift ideas, it’s easy to think ‘oh, so what do I get an old person?’ or, ’60!? wow, I have no idea what to get someone that age!’ You need to dispel this thinking.

    Because you know what, 60 is not that old these days. When you’re in your 20′s, sure it might SEEM old, but let me tell you I’ve seen some pretty healthy people who are 60! This one guy I know, what he power lifts at the gym now is probably more then I’ll ever be able to lift in my whole life, he plays golf daily, and is just all round having fun. Did I mention he is retired?

    So he basically uses his amazing health to just do whatever he wants, all day and everyday! Now that sounds pretty awesome to me. Anyway, before getting onto the actual gift ideas, I wanted you to banish those thoughts of buying a gift for an ‘old’ person.

    But let’s get onto the actual gift ideas, shall we. I don’t really need to explain to you that turning 60 is a big event birthday. For birthdays that occur every decade, getting them a special and well-thought out gift is more important than ever.

    Here are some general but great 60th birthday gift ideas:

    - Bring them up to speed with the latest entertainment options, so perhaps get them a Blu-Ray player and some of their favorite movies on Blu-Ray (ensure their TV is capable of HD 1080p).

    - If they love to read, a pile of new books can be a fantastic present. Or go for the coffee table style of books, these normally contain amazing and vibrant images and look great sitting on anyone’s coffee table.

    - Flowers are definitely appreciated, and light up any home. If you are more of an acquaintance or an infrequent friend, these can be a lovely and thoughtful gift for a 60th birthday party.

    60th Birthday Gift Ideas For Men

    Does he love golf? Then get him some new golf equipment. Maybe that putter or driver he’s been pining after, or perhaps a new set of golf balls. If he enjoys a bit of whiskey or scotch every now and then, how about a bottle of the best and premium stuff that he would not normally treat himself too.

    If he loves being outdoors on the patio or in the yard, why not get him a new BBQ grill or some BBQ equipment. This just gives him an excuse to invite family and friends over more often for a backyard cook up. Or maybe he loves tinkering with his car, what about some new car related tools, or even organize a day at the local speed raceway, so he can do some laps in a super fast car.

    60th Birthday Gift Ideas Women

    If you have an idea of her art tastes, then get her an amazing art work from a local artist. Beautiful and precious stones and gems can also be a wonderful gift, or just some simple gold or silver jewelry.

    A large gift voucher at the local beauty spa for massages and facials etc can be an excellent selection. There is nothing better than a nice long massage! Other high quality items for the house are also a great choice, things like small sculptures or decorative hanging items.

    Try to listen for things she wants a few months before her 60th, she may will drop a valuable hint for that perfect present, and not even realize it!

    A Quick Note On ‘Gag’ Gifts

    Some 60 year olds will absolutely love your ‘old people gag’ gifts and some won’t. Different strokes for different folks, know what I mean? So make sure you have a pretty good idea of their sense of humor and personality before presenting them with an inflatable Zimmer frame. I find that a bit of common sense (as with most aspects in life) goes a long way when coming up with gift ideas.

    Finishing Thoughts

    Examining the birthday man or woman’s interests is the best way to come up with a present. If they love being outdoors, then go with that. Alternatively, if they love being indoors, then get them something they can use around the house.

    A lot of the things you would love to receive the birthday man or woman would probably love too. Wait until you’re 60, then you probably won’t feel a day over 20, and you’ll be asking yourself why you keep receiving these ‘old people’ gifts like sweaters and boxes of trail mix.

    “Though it sounds absurd, it is true to say I felt younger at sixty than I felt at twenty.” ~ Ellen Glasgow


  3. 50th Birthday Gift Ideas

    by gift bounty

    I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming… suddenly you find – at the age of 50, say – that a whole new life has opened before you. ~ Agatha Christie

    As Agatha Christie so wonderfully points out above, 50 can just be the beginning of a fresh take on life and fun for some people.

    It’s the time when the thought of retirement will actually excite, and the time when a lot of people have done what they set out to achieve financially and career wise. Time, money, health – if they have played their cards right, they should have some of those going well for them. It’s that point in life when really, if you are not doing what you love to do, or at least thinking about doing what you love to do, then what’s the point?

    So with that in mind, what are some great 50th birthday gift ideas, something that will reflect this milestone appropriately, whilst not making the birthday man or woman feel ‘old’. We don’t want any sort of mid-life crisis event occurring at the birthday party!

    50th Birthday Party Gift Ideas

    So you are attending a big 50th party, let’s brainstorm some simple yet effective gift ideas, so you don’t show up empty handed, or god forbid, with cash strapped to a birthday card.
    Not all 50 year olds have an inability to work technology, so ditch that stereotype immediately. A nifty gadget or electronic device can be a wonderful present idea.

    Here are some other simple yet thoughtful 50th present ideas:

    - An expensive bottle of favorite wine
    - A wooden wine rack
    - Coffee machine or a decent quality coffee plunger with some fresh organic ground beans
    - A beautiful wooden photo frame

    50th Birthday Gift Ideas for Men

    If the person turning 50 is a man, then there are a few more manly focused gifts. Things like a case of his favorite cigars, or perhaps a tasty beer work really well.
    If he is into fishing or gardening, then how about some items surrounding those activities? A new fishing rod with some hooks and sinkers for example, or a new reel he has been wanting to get for himself.

    If he enjoys his time indoors, what about a hand crafted marble or wooden chess set, or some sheep skin slippers?

    You could get him a Weber (or other known brand) grill for his patio or backyard, or perhaps a home beer or wine making kit so he can start brewing his own stuff in the garage!

    50th Birthday Gift Ideas for Women

    Let us look at some fantastic gift ideas for that special woman turning 50. How about a gift hamper or basket full of gourmet and organic snacks of her favorite foods?
    Luxury items that she would not normally buy for herself also work well, such as silk or Egyptian cotton sheets. A gift voucher to the local beauty spa (with enough on it to get a long massage and facial at least) so she can treat herself.

    Or how about some new books from her favorite author or from the genre she loves to read. Jewelry can also be wonderful (tends to work best if the person giving it is the special man in her life). But jewelry items like necklaces, pendants, bracelets, even fancy hair clips can be a wonderful gift.

    What about a pack of lovely scented candles, or a new hand-spun scarf? Is she fond of collecting and compiling photo memories, how about a beautiful leather photo album or journal (fill it with photos too of course!).

    If she is the more adventurous type, then a hot air balloon ride or even a sky diving trip could be a fantastic surprise.

    Give It Some Thought

    As with any present, knowing the birthday man or woman will help immensely. If you have a good idea of their hobbies and interests outside of work – then that is a great place to start exploring 50th birthday gift ideas. Whatever you choose, don’t give someone who is turning 50 some cash in an envelope – it just shows that you have put no thought whatsoever into their present.

    Hopefully the ideas above have given you a jumping platform to get out there and search for that perfect 50th birthday present.

    Here is a great 50th birthday quote to finish up:

    “Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise. – Margaret Atwood”


  4. Unique Gift Baskets

    by gift bounty

    Gift baskets can be a fabulous gift for almost anyone, as the whole point of them is that they’re filled with a load of awesome items that the person will actually like. Forget about those generic gift baskets at the local shopping mall, filled with old food products like biscuits and tinned peaches. You want to create unique gift baskets, right? This article will examine some aspects and ideas when it comes to creating a well thought out and unique gift basket for someone, whether it is for their birthday or as a Christmas present (or anything in between!).

    Choosing the Basket

    These days, gift baskets don’t just have to be given in a traditional ‘basket’ made of wicker or anything like that, although that is still a quaint and cute way to present your gifts. A lovely gift box will also work, or if you only have a few small and special items, what about a handcrafted wooden and engraved box.

    Making Unique Gift Baskets

    So how do you go about making a gift basket unique, and not one of those cookie-cutter generic baskets that you see all around the place? The best way to do this is to give your gift basket a theme. Picking a theme should really be decided on a person by person basis, what are their interests? What sorts of foods, snacks and drinks do they love?

    Here are some simple theme ideas to get you started:

    Gourmet Food: Visit your local organic produce store and gourmet stores. Choose some strong and fresh ground coffee, potato chips, tasty jams and some sauces too! Whatever you think will strike their fancy, get it for the basket. Just ensure that it is all good quality products.

    Wine and Cheese: If the person is a real wine lover, then chances are they don’t mind a decent cheese as well. This sort of basket, as well as including the person’s favorite bottles of wine, can also include a nice wooden cheese board, and perhaps a beautiful wine opener as well.

    Books: If someone you know is a true lover of all things reading and books, then filling a gift basket with books from their favorite genre (a bit of research is required here to ensure you don’t buy them a bunch of books they already own!) can be a wonderfully unique gift basket idea.

    Market: Head down to the local arts and crafts market, and buy a bunch of lovely home made things. Fill the basket with items like jams, tea cozies, homemade soaps and candles, simple jewelry, knitted beanies and gloves. Those types of markets can be a real gold mine for unique gift ideas.

    Spa & Shower Products: It’s a little cliché, but a fantastic gift basket can definitely be produced with spa and shower products. Please just take the time to only include the good quality or organic items, you want to select items that they would not normally choose for themselves due to the expense.

    Easter: What about creating some unique Easter gift baskets for family and friends this coming Easter? Load the basket with the best chocolates and other little goodies to make it really special.

    If you know the person well enough, then it’s easy to create personalized and unique gift baskets specifically for them. Simply fill it with the items they know and love, and throw in a few surprises just for good measure!

    Buying Online

    It is certainly possible to find some fantastic gift basket packages online. They can work really well too, especially for those that are buying gifts for people living in other states or overseas. It does save you the hassle of making up your own, but just examine the products contained within and make sure they are of decent quality.

    Any decent website selling gift baskets will list clearly for you what is contained within, as well as the brands of the products – they should also include pictures of what it will look like! Check out the shipping costs before deciding as well, so you’re not met with any nasty price surprises.

    Final Thoughts

    The beauty and value of a gift basket is the fact that you are only limited by your own imagination and knowledge of the person you are making the gift basket for. There is no special time where gift baskets are appropriate either, which makes them a fantastic present all the year round. You may be thinking of unique corporate gift baskets for that friendly co-worker who is moving on, or perhaps unique Christmas gift baskets for family and friends. Whatever it is you have in mind, beautifully presented and unique gift baskets can be the perfect present.


  5. 40th Birthday Gifts

    by gift bounty

    “Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age.” Victor Hugo

    40th Birthday Parties aren’t always happily celebrated, a lot of people begin to feel that they are getting older, and as one news article I read recently pointed out, ‘at age 40, both the brain and body start to slow’. All jokes aside though, everyone tends to feel differently about their 40th. Some people love it, stating they feel more comfortable in their own skin than ever before, and others pretend it isn’t happening to avoid the realization that they are indeed coming up to their 50′s.

    So with all of this in mind, what do you get someone for a 40th birthday gift?

    40th Birthday Gifts For Men

    With men, it’s easy to just go the safe route when it comes to 40th birthday gifts. And by the safe route I am talking a shaving kit in a nice wooden box, some nice cuff links, BBQ equipment, books, tools or perhaps a wallet. If you are not very close to the birthday man in question, it’s normally a good idea to go with a ‘safe option’.

    But if you are that special someone or a family member, you could put a little more thought into it. Are you both always busy with the kids? Why not schedule in a baby sitter for the night and take him out on a special date night. Make sure you are eating somewhere that serves his favorite type of food and drinks, and give him a small but well thought out gift to mark the occasion.

    Men don’t normally hide their interests and hobbies, so if you know the man well you should already have an idea of the things he loves to do. Investigate what he doesn’t already own that revolve around those interests, and your birthday shopping just got a whole lot easier!

    40th Birthday Gifts For Women

    Just like with men, there is a safe route for women too. That means massage vouchers, skin products or lotions, romantic dinners and books (a beautiful cookbook can be a wonderful present if she loves cooking and baking).

    But if you’re that special man in her life, let me give you a handy tip. Women will tell you what they want with multiple tidbits and small cues long before their birthday. They might not even realize they are doing it, as they will just see something they love and tell you about it.

    A few months before her 40th birthday is coming up, start listening for those small cues. It might happen whilst walking past a shop front and she will suddenly exclaim, ‘Oh, I love that!’ or ‘That’s beautiful’ or even ‘I would love one of those!’ The best advice to be given is to start listening closely during shopping expeditions or walks together.

    When she opens it she will:-
    - Love the present
    - Remember she made a comment to you about it months earlier
    - Love you even more for paying close attention and getting her the perfect gift

    Funny 40th Birthday Gifts

    Now these types of gifts tend to mean cups, t-shirts, aprons with funny slogans or quotes. They are a good choice for children to give to Mum or Dad, or for gifts from office colleagues, or even second cousins. But if you are closer to the birthday person then what I just mentioned, my belief is that you can do a lot better than that.

    Some people love to make references to being ‘over the hill’, or will give a walking stick, fake diaper, false dentures etc as a joke. This can work well if the birthday person is a real prankster or has a great sense of self deprecating humor. If you just think it will be ‘funny’ but are not actually sure how the receiver will take it, then you had better go and choose something else.

    Final Thoughts

    Turning 40 is a big deal, just like the decades prior it is yet another milestone to chalk up on the age tally. Some will want to make a big celebration of it, and others will want something quiet with close family. If they are having a grand party bash, and you are a guest, then at least bring a small gift with you, even if it just a bottle of wine or an item for the house.

    Although, as you get older I think better company is always more appreciated than lavish presents.


  6. 30th Birthday Gifts

    by gift bounty

    “At 20 years of age the will reigns; at 30 the wit; and at 40 the judgment.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

    Turning 30 can be tough for some people as they leave their 20′s and begin to realize they are ‘getting older’. This affects people differently; some people go through what could be akin to a mid-life crisis, and others love and embrace the challenges that age will often present. It is the time of small children, driven careers, beautiful marriages and sometimes ugly divorces.

    It is a landmark age, and with these milestone birthdays comes the ever present question, ‘What do I get him or her for their 30th Birthday!?’

    Here at Gift Bounty, we have some food for thought and a few ideas for you.

    30th Birthday Gifts Ideas

    I know this is blaringly obvious, but figure out his or her interest first before coming up with gift ideas. It’s also a good idea to find out from family members what they already own (or if you are one, do some quick snooping around!). There is nothing worse than buying someone a gift they already own.

    Let’s get some of those thinking juices flowing, and brainstorm some ideas.

    If you’re looking for 30th birthday gifts for him, what about a new set of golf clubs? Not the golfing type? How about an expensive and tasty case of a local microbrew beer? Not the beer type? Well how about a bottle of his favorite wine!

    Does he travel a lot – how about some funky travel accessories? Or a brand new leather wallet is another great choice. Does he like his office gadgets? How about a USB drum kit or fish tank. You’re really limited by your imagination, do some research and get him something useful or fun! Just make sure it is not something cheap and tacky.

    How about 30th birthday gifts for her? A spa or beauty package would be a good start. Or what about a jewelry tree? Or maybe some scented candles or lovely bath salts. Or perhaps a funky iPhone case? Or a photo montage of your best moments together. An engraved purse mirror, an ice cream maker, a leather journal? Hopefully some thoughts and ideas are now whirling around your brain.

    Unusual 30th Birthday Gifts

    A unique or unusual 30th birthday gift can be a real treat. Here is an idea, why not build your very own gift basket. Fill it with things you know the person will love, skin lotions and beauty products for women spring to mind – or perhaps cologne or movies or fun gadgets for men. Beautiful and expensive food and wine will also work wonders. Don’t fill it with tacky stuff. Put some thought into it, and hide the good stuff at the bottom of the basket for them to discover as they go.

    If you really want to be a pest, then buy them a gag 30th birthday gift to go ALONG with your actual well chosen and thought out present. This will let them know that you think they’re now ‘old’. A walking stick or a pair of old grandpa slippers should do the job here. Although you don’t want to accidently offend somebody, so please ensure you know the person well enough that you know the gift will be seen in the comedy light that it is presented.

    All in all, 30 is a great age to reach and should definitely involve a birthday party bash! Hopefully this article has put your brain to work thinking of some fantastic gift ideas.

    Everything I know I learned after I was thirty. ~ Georges Clemenceau


  7. 21st Birthday Gifts

    by gift bounty

    At twenty-one, so many things appear solid, permanent, untenable. ~ Orson Welles

    A 21st birthday is a big event. In the US, it is the legal drinking age – and this means that the birthday parties can get a little crazy. But what is an appropriate gift for someone who is now considered an adult in society, able to make all of their life choices without parental consent. The obvious answer is something ‘alcohol related’ because of their sudden ability to drink legally, now these can be great gifts but if you are close to the person you might want to put in a little more thought.

    My reasoning here is that at 21 they can go and buy their own alcohol, they don’t need you to do it for them on their birthday. They are not going to be short on alcohol either, every Tom, Dick & Harry is going to get that for them as a gift, and it’s ALMOST like the gift you get when you can’t think of anything else. You don’t want to be THAT person do you?

    Luckily, I have some of the best 21st birthday gifts are outlined for you below.

    Things to Keep in Mind

    It’s rare that people want to pick their own gifts. So don’t be the person that says, ‘I don’t know what to get you, what do you want?’ This just puts stress on the birthday girl or boy to choose a gift, when it’s not their job to do that, it’s YOURS! If they do happen to be a person that knows exactly what they want, then suggest that they start a gift registry where they can put down a list of items that they would like to have. This way, people can just choose things off the registry with the knowledge that they are buying something the person definitely wants.

    Personally, I think a real birthday gift should be a complete surprise, yet still something they will love. This is achieved by figuring out that persons interests and what they love doing. Talk to their family and close friends and establish what don’t currently own that is on par with their interests.

    What Makes 21st Birthday Gifts Special?

    A gift can only be special when some thought has been put into it. It needs to be something personalized, and something that marries up with their interests. An item that has longevity, or that they can use for many years to come is a great choice. Another excellent option is something that will have a lot of sentimental value that they can look back on and remember fondly.

    So How About Those ACTUAL 21st Birthday Gifts Ideas?

    Okay, okay. Let me give you some actual gift ideas, now going along with the personalization theme and the something special theme, here a few ideas for you:

    - A beautiful engraved wrist watch (works well for both boys and girls)

    - Jewelry (although you need to be careful here, only get this if you know the person very well, as people can be exceptionally choosy when it comes to jewelry and fashion)

    - What about an engraved money clip, filled with 21 dollar bills (or more, if you’re feeling generous)

    - A piece of original art-work. You will need a feel for their tastes, but a great piece of artwork can be an amazing gift.

    If you’re a parent, why not offer to pay for their entire party function? That will go down a treat, and will stop them worrying about the expense of trying to organize something themselves. Although it may be difficult to imagine them doing some of the things that YOU did when you were 21.

    A 21st birthday really is a special day, like any birthday it does only come once – but the 21st is particularly special. So make their day with a gift that will really count. Discovering a gift idea that will marry up with their current personal situation may be a challenge, but if you can find something to help them with their dreams and aspirations for future life goals – now that is a great gift. Think about it, think about the person, and choose a gift that FEELS right.


  8. 18th Birthday Gift Ideas

    by gift bounty

    Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen. ~ Albert Einstein

    Oh, to be 18 again… This is the time when a lot of young people literally grab life with both hands. They travel the world, they go to university or college, they start their career paths, they buy cars, they move out of home. It is the age and time in life when many will begin accepting the responsibility required of them to be an adult. So what are some appropriate 18th birthday gift ideas for someone at an age where so many paths are available and open to them. I wrote this article to help you generate and brainstorm some good 18th birthday gift ideas, so put on your thinking cap and read on!

    Some people are hard to buy for, but it’s definitely possible to find a gift for someone by simply gaining some knowledge of their interests. Start by talking to their close friends (unless you are one!) and family, have a look on their Facebook, MySpace or blog. If you get a chance talk to the actual person whose birthday is coming up, start a conversation about their interests in a casual offhand way. When it comes to buying that perfect gift, knowledge is power! There is nothing better than getting a gift that someone loves that they hadn’t even thought about for themselves. Milestone birthdays like an 18th are a little more special than the others, so choosing an appropriate special gift is more important than ever.

    18th Birthday Gift Ideas for Girls

    Girls are notoriously more difficult to buy for than boys, as their interests are often very specific and they can be very picky about fashion and jewelry. Unless you know the girl’s interests extremely well, I would be steering clear of jewelry and clothes.

    Here are some actual gift ideas, you may notice that I generalize a little here in terms of girl’s interests, not all girls are going to love some of the options below, but a large majority will. It’s important as I stated above to gain some KNOWLEDGE of the girl’s interests before brainstorming gift ideas.

    What about a facial or massage pack (or both?) at a beauty spa. That will go down a treat. Cosmetics and perfume also work well (get another girl to help you buy this one if you’re a male). A new iPod full of her favorite music, or take her shopping and let her buy whatever she likes up to a certain set amount. If you know of a book series she would like, buy her the entire series at once so she can read them at her leisure (Isobelle Carmody’s Obernewtyn series springs to mind here).

    18th Birthday Gift Ideas for Boys

    Luckily, boys are pretty easy to buy for. The reason for this is they love gadgets and tools. I’ve yet to meet a boy who does not love gadgets (and I am one myself, so I should know!). We love anything entertaining, like video games, DVD’s or Blu-rays, music, books, it’s all good! It’s normally not a challenge to discover a boys interest either, so once you have that figured out it should be a cinch.

    Here are some specific ideas you might want to consider though. How about a brand new wrist watch? Or a mini remote control helicopter (he is guaranteed to love that). Or if he is the sporty type, what about a paid for adventure pack (think rock climbing or para gliding etc). Sporting tickets to a favorite game is also a good option.

    Extravagant Gift Ideas for Both Boys and Girls

    Maybe you’re thinking of something big and expensive. If you really want to make a statement and get them something awesome here are some ideas for you:

    -Hot air balloon ride
    -Helicopter ride
    -Sky diving or hang gliding
    -A new car
    -Concert or event tickets
    -A new laptop or iPad or iPhone
    -Digital camera
    -IOU for dinner at the best restaurant in town
    -Years supply of movie tickets
    -A year’s gym membership completely paid for
    -Trip overseas
    -Paid for lessons in something they were interested in (musical instrument, learning to fly a plane, sky diving)

    General Present Tips to Keep in Mind

    Here are some basic tips to keep in mind when you are settling on a gift. Throw in some extras, especially if you are going big. Include a few knick-knacks for them to open, like key-chains, chocolates or little car gadgets.

    Make sure the gift is something they will actually get some use out of, not something that is just going to sit in the cupboard for the next 10 years to be tossed out during a spring clean.
    If you are creative at all, then hand-made birthday cards go a long way compared to the cookie-cutter cards available in stores. If you have the ability to make a personalized birthday card, you should definitely do it.

    Please wrap the actual present. Don’t give it to them in a bag or wrapped in newspaper. Part of the charm of getting presents is the atmosphere of the whole event, and some beautiful wrapping paper can really make a difference.

    If you are honestly struggling with a gift idea, just go with cash. I know it seems a bit stale or boring, but at 18 cash is an absolutely brilliant present. Just give the cash in a special way, do up a money tree or give them a beautiful small wooden box and put the cash inside.

    At the end of the day, you’re the best person to decide what an appropriate gift is. This article is just to help you come up with some solid gift ideas, not to choose the actual gift for you. What you pick should be dependent on the person and their interests and you’re also limited by your own budget. The best advice I can give you is to simply put some thought into the present. Thoughtful gifts, no matter what they are, nor how big or small, will always be appreciated.

    I cried on my 18th birthday. I thought 17 was such a nice age. You’re young enough to get away with things, but you’re old enough, too. ~ Liv Tyler