Cool Ideas for Birthday Presents

• Purchasing birthday presents for close family and friends is an annual chore for most people. In our ever expanding consumer-driven culture, birthday presents are often watered down to the obvious; the latest technological gadgets, newly released media, even gift cards. A well thought out birthday present can rise about the rest and reflect your true feelings for your friend or family member in a way that is unforgettable.

Photobook

• Sentimentality is often misconstrued as being corny or hokey. But the fact is, a sentimental birthday gift can be equally heartwarming and memorable while also being inexpensive. A photo book is offers a gift that has a personal touch that traditional gifts are rarely capable of accomplishing. The Kodak company offers a wide variety of photo book options that you can create online using images from your own camera. They range from mini-picture books to high quality, hardcover picture books that can become a part of their recipient's permanent library.

Homecooked Meal

• Preparing someone a memorable birthday meal of their favorite foods is an imaginative and thoughtful present. Plan an entire menu of their favorite foods, and set the meal up outdoors with candlelight. Preparing a meal is a particularly cool gift when you're perplexed about what to get somebody. Since everyone loves food, it's practically a can't miss. Preparing an entire menu of someone's favorite foods is also a great way to show you appreciate their interests. If cooking is not one of your talents, serve a meal from a person's favorite restaurant on your home dining ware.

Gift Basket

• Gift baskets are a thoughtful and inexpensive way to combine a variety of small gifts into one unforgettable bundle. If the gift basket is for a child, you can inspire fun and creativity by including fun items like magic markers, stickers, coloring books or small toys. Adult gift baskets can include a small bottle of a person's favorite wine, or their favorite candy bars, magazines, movie tickets or even lottery tickets. The multiple gifts found in a gift basket can long out last single traditional gifts whose sentiment wears off quickly.

Day Trip

• While we would all like to whisk our friend or love one away on a tropical vacation for their birthday, that can more often then not conflict with our schedules and budgets. The gift of travel does not mean you have to take that special birthday someone long distances. Take a road trip to places they used to inhabit as a youth, the place you first met, or a place where a memorable occurrence happened. You can also offer to drive your present recipient to a local destination they've always wanted to visit but never had impetus to go to. Such gifts can allow a fostering and appreciation of your relationship in ways that conventional gifts can't.