Have you ever wondered what to get someone – a kind neighbour, a work friend or a relative you rarely see – when their birthday swings round? You might not be the kind of friends, relatives or acquaintances to really splash the cash on one another, but you still want to mark their birthday in a way other than simply sending a card.
One of the best ways to show you care is with a handmade card, something a little different and unique that they are sure to love. The handmade cards at Decorque Cards are a great example. In addition to the card we say simply slip a little token in as well; it doesn’t have to be much, just something worth a few pounds/dollars. Often, the real gift is in the thought and not in the present itself. To help you, we’ve put together a handful of inexpensive small gifts you can send with a card. And because they’re small gifts, they won’t bump up your postage costs too much, either – result!
- A Lotto Ticket or Scratch Card – Imagine the delight of knowing you’ve sent a winning Lotto ticket or
scratchie card to a friend or neighbour. Hey, they might even share their winnings with you! Costing as little as £1 / $1, this is a lovely gesture for a birthday or other special occasion. Likewise, if someone’s having a tough time, a shot at a much-needed bit of luck like this might perk them up – especially if they scratch away to reveal a cool £100/ $100. Who knows?!
- A Small Necklace, Bracelet or Charm – Here’s one for your female (or jewellery-loving male) friends, then. It’s a small moon necklace, and while it’s not quite ‘inexpensive’ (at least not to send with a card worth only a few dollars) it gives you an idea of the kind of thing you can easily pop in the post. To ensure you keep within your budget, take a look around for necklaces or charms which are modestly-priced. Online sites such as ETSY for example are a treasure trove of fantastic and inexpensive gifts just waiting to be discovered.
- A Few Pounds/Dollars for a Small Treat – It may seem a little old fashioned, but a few pounds/dollars, taped to a niece or nephews card will ensure they can treat themselves to something they like later. If its for an adult friend, think about adding a bank note for a birthday tipple. Just don’t send more than a few pounds in the post, though; often unreliable postal services may mean you (sadly!) end up out of pocket. So why not hand-deliver your special card instead, or post it through the door? If the card isn’t time-sensitive, we say do it on a Monday morning; its when most people are feeling a little deflated (following a lovely weekend away from work, perhaps) and it will really lift them up.
- A Favourite Recipe – Someone’s birthday? Want to get them a cake but worried about having one delivered? Never fear; simply print out a quick and easy-to-make cake recipe from the Internet and pop it in a card with, for example, a Gift voucher for a local supermarket. They can then take said voucher straight to the shops, pick up the necessary ingredients and enjoy an afternoons baking! Licking the bowl afterwards: optional.
- Nostalgic Photos – If its a milestone birthday, retirement or anniversary, why not dig out a few old photos to add a touch of nostalgia to someone’s special day? We guarantee it will put a smile on someone’s face amidst a sea of empty cards with the words ‘Happy Birthday’ and nothing else written inside. You could even add a few well-chosen photos in, along with a voucher for a local framing shop so they can then add their favourite of the snaps to a nice frame.
What do you like to send someone when a big present just seems too much? Do you have a fail-safe token you like to pop inside a card?
Guest post by Lesley from Decorque Cards
