How2Day: Gift Suggestions for a 60th Birthday

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Sixty years ago, the world was a very different place. From food to communication, from transportation to world politics, from entertainment to sports, the post-World War II era ushered in great changes and the Baby Boomers burst upon the scene. Today, Boomers may enjoy a touch of the nostalgic with retro-gifts from the past and best wishes for a bright tomorrow.

For that fun-loving 60th birthday celebrant, perpetualkid.com suggests quirky yet useful gifts. The guy who loves bacon may enjoy bacon-flavored dental floss, while the music-loving cook will get a bang out of drum-stick-shaped wooden spoons. A 27-inch ice cream cone-shaped lamp in vanilla or strawberry paired with a gift card to a favorite ice cream parlor will please one with a sweet tooth. The animal-lover will appreciate an adopt a monkey, sea turtle or wolf gift package.

How sweet it is to turn sixty and chew your way through a giant jaw breaker just like when you were a kid. For those with a sweet tooth, gather favorite "penny" candies of childhood days. Candy dots or buttons on a long strip of paper, Necco Wafers, salty pumpkin seeds, cinnamon red hots, bubble gum cigars and Lemon Heads are just a few candy treats. Tuck in a best-selling book from the year of birth and one from the current list or find a copy of a first-year reading primer and let the fun begin.

For a touch of nostalgia, pull together a themed "time capsule." Using the celebrant's interests as a guideline, buy a large glass or plastic jar with lid. A movie buff may enjoy a DVD of the best-picture Academy Award winner for the year of their birth, along with magazines or books about the stars. Give a pair of movie tickets to a local cinema for a current flick and a gift card for popcorn and sodas. For a sports enthusiast, pack in posters, a DVD and socks or stocking cap for the World Series winner of their year of birth. Bring it up-to-date with tickets or gift cards to a game or sporting event.

According to marketwatch.com, Americans are choosing to give to charities in lieu of holiday or birthday gifts. Party guests are invited to either support the birthday celebrant's favorite charity or to give to any organization of choice. Some organizations give a small token gift as a thank you and reminder of its purpose. People who have everything they need and those with a heart for a particular charity find great satisfaction from in-lieu-of gifts.

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