CARA VAN METER
Assistant Art Editor
Until recently, forgetting someone’s birthday had been an excusable offense — though it is usually disappointing to the birthday person.
Even if you are one of those impossibly perfect people who has the selfless consideration to carefully record the birthdays of all your friends and family, chances are that there have been a few times when you have been so busy that you missed a birthday.
Fortunately (unless your income relies on the recently thriving belated birthday cards industry) a number of technological advances have largely eliminated the potential for forgetfulness. Now, cell phones, electronic organizers and, most notably, Facebook all provide hassle-free birthday reminders to those of us who are less than perfect at the game of memory. Some even deliver reminders about upcoming birthdays so that we can turn our attention beyond the simple act of actually remembering a particular date to focus on the importance of finding that perfect birthday gift for the people who are special to us.
Sure, you could just ask the birthday person what he or she wants, but do not underestimate the value of the surprise element in gift giving.
Now that you have auto reminders to save you all that time spent trying to remember the date, you have ample opportunities to find a deliciously original gift.
Replacing pressure with pressure, you say? Never fear, this simple guide will have your friends oohing and ahhing over your impeccable taste and uncanny insight before can blow out the candles.
STEP ONE: Know your birthday
Generally speaking, if you plan to buy a birthday present for someone, you probably already know them pretty well. However, this is not always the case. If you are birthday shopping for an acquaintance, a relatively new friend or an in-law, play to your strengths.
Think about what you already know about this person. How did you meet? What do you have in common? Do you share any inside jokes? Mull over these questions for a while before purchasing a bland and generic gift card.
Perhaps there is a hint in one of your past conversations that will help you discover an idea for a personal, thoughtful and memorable present.
STEP TWO: Think ahead
This is where the “upcoming” reminders come in particularly handy. When you notice a birthday coming up in the next week or so, consider your budget and the amount of time you will have available to shop. Note the stores in the vicinity of your work, church and home in order to plan convenient shopping options.
If your gift receiver is an avid fan of a particular author, band, actor, or genre, do a little research about upcoming releases.
Look for albums, books, movies, DVDs, or fan paraphernalia that will be coming out shortly before the birthday in question. If you intend to be extremely impressive and special order an item or have something custom made, be sure to take into account shipping time and try to allow a cushion period in case of a mailbox mix-up.
The same is true for online shopping. E-bay, amazon.com and other commercial sites often offer the ideal solution for would-be gift givers with limited funds, no transportation, or a lack of viable stores to choose from. However, there are also risks in relying on these online panaceas. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Prepare an idea for a back-up gift in case there is a problem with the item you ordered or with the shipping.
STEP THREE: Shop around
Try to set aside a substantial amount of time in the week preceding the birthday in order to go to the mall and window-shop for a while.
Rush jobs tend to be result in some of the most boring gifts, so do not hurry this process. Wander from store to store and peruse the aisles with your birthday on your mind until something truly calls out to you.
And, do not buy the first thing you see. Wait until you have a few options that you really like (and that you think will be appreciated), then choose the best one.
Remember: when you give others great birthday gifts, it is most likely that they will give you great gifts.
So, if the perk of inner-satisfaction is not enough for you, just keep this fact in mind.
Motivation and dedication are the keys.
09-28-2006