Ideal Gifts

52 REASONS WHY I LOVE YOU

When it comes to birthdays, I always seem to struggle with what to get that individual. Part of me wants to really invest the time and effort into creating that perfect homemade present from the heart, while the other half of me just really wants to walk into the nearest American Eagle/Victoria’s Secret/Game Stop/etc. and purchase a $10 gift card and call it a day. But as I age (okay, so perhaps grow is a better word to use) I find myself wanting to make each person’s birthday a special day. Honestly, I don’t know why, but it just kicked in once I hit college. Once I actually stopped to think about my sudden birthday ambitions, I realized it is most likely because I feel the need to mother everyone since they are celebrating their birthday away from home, most likely for the first time ever. College is a big transition for most people, myself included, and I felt in my first year of college that it was essential to celebrating my friends’ birthdays. I began by hosting big surprise parties in our dorm rooms, filled with homemade cake, balloons, and presents. Fast forward three years and you find me lacking the big presents, but trying to find other ways to make the day just as special.

So when my best friend’s 20th birthday approached, I tried to rack my brain with something cute that she would adore. As usual, I took to Pinterest and skimmed through my crafting board in the attempt to find something that would be perfect to give to her as a present. I eventually came across a card book. Consisting of an entire deck of cards (yes, 52 cards my friends), it offered the perfect opportunity to tell someone you care how special he/she is to you. In addition, you can add your own personal touches, so the receiver knows how much time and though you put into the gift. Granted, it did not take as much time as compared to my other projects, but the amount of thought going into this gift is incredible!

This pin shows one way to create your own card book. Credited to http://www.itsagingersnap.com

Another rendition of the card book with a slightly more antique look to it.

A third option to creating a book. I appreciate the use of glitter (you will soon learn I ADORE glitter!)

I took a more simpler approach to mine (less is more folks!):

The front cover

About halfway through the book; my reason was “You always put others before yourself, and make you make sure others feel better before you do.”

I had a lot of fun making this, however, I found myself running out of reasons why I loved my best friend! Just kidding! Well, kind of. I would sit down at the end of the day after work and pull out the cards and fill out a couple at a time. Every now and then I would get a ‘brain fart’, and find that I could not think of any additional things to add to save my life. So my suggestion is to take it a little at a time so you do not find yourself rushing to finish the gift in time to show up to the party. Because you will just find yourself writing down ridiculous things, and I feel that this gift is for nice and thoroughly thought out appreciations. This is a chance to make someone really awesome about him/herself on his/her favorite day ever!