Romantic Birthday Ideas Part 6

A Happy Birthday Video

Create a true "Happy Birthday" video for your partner. With camera in hand, proceed to film as many people as possible extending their happy birthday wishes to your partner. Include people your partner knows well-family members, coworkers, friends-as well as those whose birthday greeting will surprise your mate. For instance, film your mail carrier, your neighbors, and even the UPS driver if you happen to get a delivery that day. Take your video camera to bars and restaurants that your partner frequents and film the staff members as they say (or sing) happy birthday to your mate. If your lover belongs to a health club, a bowling league, or another group or organization, walk in with your camera and film as many people you can find there (even those who may not know your partner) and have them extend their birthday wishes.

You can create a variation on this theme by adding a new set of birthday greetings to this film each year. Film some of the same well-wishers, as well as any new people in your partner's life.

This birthday video will take some effort, but the final product, which is sure to tickle your partner, will be well worth it.

A Special Trip

If your partner has talked about a place that he or she has always dreamed of going, maybe now is the time for you to fulfill that dream. Send yourselves on a dream vacation. A "surprise getaway" is a classic gift that will draw you and your partner together.

Or, if possible, accompany your lover to a renowned event that he or she has always wanted to attend, such as:

• The World's Fair (if it is held that year).
• The annual Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada.
• Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro.
• New Year's Eve at Times Square in New York City.
• A space shuttle liftoff.
• The Cannes Film Festival.
• La Carnival in Quebec City, Canada.
• Winterlude in Ottawa, Canada.
• Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

If your lover is a big sports fan, arrangements to attend one of the following special sporting events would make a fabulous gift:

• The Olympics (if it is held that year).
• The Masters Golf Tournament.
• The Super Bowl.
• The U.S. Tennis Open.
• A Stanley Cup finals game.
• A figure skating championship.
• An NBA basketball finals game.
• The Indianapolis or Daytona 500.
• A World Series game.
• The European Grand Prix.
• The Tour de France.
• A World Cup soccer game.
• A championship boxing match.

A Long-Awaited Reunion

Wouldn't it be wonderful to get together with one of your distant friends or relatives? This can be just as special for your partner. Reunions are always accorded memorable status. As a gift, arrange to have your partner meet an old friend or distant relative. For added excitement, make the reunion a surprise. Be sure to have a camera ready for this moment. A gift of friendship and family love beats a store-bought one any day.

Thematic Presents

One birthday present is fine, but the more the merrier. Think of the excitement your partner will experience in receiving not one, not two, but many gifts. Make a collection of gifts with a specific theme in mind. For example, if your partner has a green thumb and enjoys working in a garden, you might give him or her a set of gardening tools, a pair of work gloves, a book on gardening tips, some flower seeds, a plant, and a special gardening hat. If your partner enjoys playing tennis, center his or her gifts around this sport. Include such things as private lessons; court time; a new tennis racquet, shoes, balls, and bag; and a tennis club membership.

Here are some more theme ideas and gift suggestions:

You may want to make a game out of presenting your collection of gifts. For instance, scatter the presents throughout the house and let your loved one go on a treasure hunt. Or give your partner one gift every hour or so, saving the most meaningful gift for last.

Leisure Activity Gifts

Giving a gift that suits your partner's leisure-time interest shows a lot of understanding and consideration. Below is a list of leisure-type gifts that may fulfill one of these interests:

• Membership for a fitness club, CD club, book club, or video club.
• Tickets (season tickets, if affordable) to a sports event or a theater group production.
• A subscription to a favorite magazine.
• Lessons for such special-interest activities as acting, paint ing, calligraphy, craft making, dancing, golfing, karate, music, or tennis.

A Buried Treasure

Hide your partner's birthday present (or presents) under a sea of balloons. Make sure you have enough balloons to cover the entire floor area, and make the pile as high as you want. Hide the gift (or gifts) somewhere beneath the pile. (To prevent your gift from getting stepped on accidentally, be sure to hide it in a corner or behind a piece of furniture.) This bit of birthday fun will make your partner feel like a kid again.

Final Romantic Thoughts on Birthdays

Romance can turn "just another birthday" into one that your partner will remember for years. Your partner's birthday comes around only once a year, which means that you have 364 days to come up with ways to pamper and please him or her. Giving a romantic birthday gift or celebration is an ideal way to shower your mate with affection. So go beyond the normal expectations on your partner's birthday and demonstrate just how special he or she is to you.

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