Finding a unique birthday gift can be one of the most challenging, frustrating and rewarding things you will ever do. When your loved one’s eyes light up with that expression that tells you “I never even knew I wanted this but now I wouldn’t trade it for all the money in the world.”

If you haven’t had that experience then it is hard to put into words how wonderful it makes you feel. If you approach it as a chore or something you need to do then you will never find the perfect and unique birthday gift.

One mistake that a lot of people make is trying to find a unique gift and then deciding if it is something the person will like. This sometimes ends up being akin to trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.

Think about what you are celebrating then find something that honors that celebration. If you are celebrating the friendship you share with that person then shop with that in mind. Think about the things you have shared with each other.

If you have been on fishing trips together then contemplate those trips and what made them enjoyable. If it is simply the quite times sharing ideas and thoughts over coffee then let those memories come flooding back.

The best gifts are the most personal. What makes the gift unique is the uniqueness of the person you are shopping for and not the gift itself.

If this method of choosing a gift

If the motive is that you really want them to open it and just share the joy they are going to feel then it should be a pretty easy exercise. If the motive is what you can get out of it besides joy then it is a chore that is could very well be among the toughest you have ever tackled.

Ralph Parlette, the author of “The University of Hard Knocks”, is quoted as saying, “Real birthdays are not annual affairs. Real birthdays are the days when we have a new birth.”

The wise words of Parlette say what I am saying much more eloquently than I can. If you choose to celebrate the birth of your relationship in addition to the annual affair you will find that you have taken the first and most important step in finding a the perfect and unique birthday gift.

Make the day, a day that you share in and are a part of and you will find that the search will be much easier. Become a participant, not a spectator and your search is just about over and a fruitful search it will be.

More unique birthday resources are available at milestone Birthday gifts and ideas.

The author invites you to visit his latest website, http://www.itsurbirthday.com

• Wheelchair Education 101: Which One is Right for You?


• A Guide to Handling Lead in Drinking Water


• Pillow Cleaning for Healthy, Allergen Free Sleep


• Creating a Family Tree


• Best of Halloween for Kids: Pumpkin Carving


• Air Mattress Pumps: Factors to Consider


• Balloon Fun!


• It Was Them Against Me!


• How to Save Money with Great Gift Ideas


• Commemorate and Celebrate - Ideas for Developing You Own Ceremonies for Lifes Events


• Being A Parent Does Not Make A Parent


• Family Lineage is a Treasure Hunt


• 5 Quick Tips for Getting Better Results from Genealogy Message Boards


• Building Your Family Tree 101: Quick Tips for Finding Your English Ancestors


• Building Your Family Tree 101: How to Find Your Irish or Scottish Ancestors