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This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
In our family, all of our major gifting occasions are crammed into a few months. April is Emmett's birthday, May is my birthday and Mother's Day, June is Ben's birthday, Father's Day, and Ian's birthday, and July is our anniversary. If we went all out trying to buy the perfect gift for every one of those days, we'd spend a LOT. So instead, we find ways to make those days special and memorable, without the stress of expensive gifts.
1. Make Them A Special Breakfast
It's nice to start the day off on a celebratory tone. It may seem small, but never underestimate the power of a special breakfast! Do something extra beyond your normal routine. Make pancakes that spell out their name, write happy birthday on their plate with chocolate syrup, shape bacon into hearts, cut your fruit into shapes with cookie cutters, set the table with a tablecloth and fresh flowers (which could be from your backyard), or get a treat you normally wouldn't, like donuts. For kids, have helium-filled balloons tied to their chair when they come down in the morning. For adults, run to a coffee shop early in the morning to get their favorite drink.
2. Plan A Memorable Day Out
One of the best ways to make a day special is to go on a family outing, something that's outside of our normal routine. Things like a theme park, a water park, an indoor trampoline park, a children's museum, or going out for ice cream are all good ideas. If you're on a tighter budget, even something free like going on a hike and bringing a picnic would be fun. Depending on who's special day it is, choose an activity that they would especially enjoy. This is a great way to create some lasting memories that will be remembered for years to come. For Father's Day inspiration, you can visit this site here.
3. Treat Them Extra Nice All Day Long
This is a simple one, but making an effort to be extra nice all day long goes a long way to making a person feel loved. Showering them with kisses and hugs, giving them a massage, chatting about whatever's on their heart, watching a movie of their choosing, and doing their normal chores for them so they get a break...all of these things are free and meaningful.
4. Surprise Them With a Gift
When it comes to our anniversary, Ben and I have an agreement that we don't get each other gifts; we use that money towards a vacation we'll both enjoy. We've done this for years and we love it. It takes the pressure off trying to find the perfect gift and wondering if it'll measure up to what the other person got. But now that we have kids, I think there IS something fun about choosing a gift with love for birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day. But it doesn't have to be expensive. In my opinion, it's truly the thought that counts. Make sure you don't forget a heartfelt, homemade card that tells them how much you appreciate them. :) If you're looking for gifts for Dad and you don't know where to start, you may want to visit this site here.
5. Cook Them Their Favorite Meal
This is a tradition we're borrowing from Ben's family. The birthday person gets to choose what we have for dinner (and if it's your birthday, you don't have to do the cooking or cleaning up!). We always make a special dessert too--usually cake, but pie or brownies also work. As long as you can stick candles in it!
What are some inexpensive ways that you make your loved ones feel special on their birthday, Father's Day, or Mother's Day?
Thank you for these ideas! Additionally, we can buy customized tumblers, wristbands, or even shirts for them. They will surely appreciate these things especially if it comes from the heart.