| Many types of birthday present can become rather | | | | kept to a minimum, there are other possibilities that can |
| routine and boring. A more unusual gift or treat may be | | | | gain as much appreciation as an expensive gift. If |
| much better appreciated. Plenty of less obvious | | | | you've put a lot of time and thought into making a |
| presents can be bought or made for that special | | | | present yourself it can be treasured for many years. |
| alternative birthday gift. | | | | If you are good at do-it-yourself and know the tastes |
| Finding a present for someone who already seems to | | | | of the person whose birthday it is, you could |
| have everything that might be suitable as a gift is a | | | | redecorate a room in their home as a surprise. This |
| challenge, but can be fun. For the person who likes a | | | | needs careful planning and co-operation from others |
| surprise birthday present there are plenty of options. | | | | who live with them. |
| A voucher for a special birthday treat can provide a | | | | A specially made, personalised item can constitute a |
| pleasant surprise. Plenty of exciting experiences can | | | | unique birthday present. Anything with the person's |
| be chosen for adventurous types. These can be | | | | name or photograph incorporated into it could be |
| booked on the websites of the organisations providing | | | | considered. |
| them. | | | | The obvious item is a birthday cake with personalised |
| A balloon ride, helicopter flight or white-water rafting | | | | decorations on top, celebrating particular interests and |
| session could provide a memorable treat. For the more | | | | events, but there are also more unusual birthday ideas. |
| adventurous, plenty of lessons that provide an | | | | You could take a good photo of a treasured |
| adrenaline rush are available. The choice depends in | | | | possession such as a boat or car and mount it in an |
| part on the person's level of physical fitness and what | | | | unusual way, such as on the face of a large clock. |
| is on offer locally. | | | | Relevant and meaningful photos can also be printed |
| Sailing, windsurfing, rally driving and flying lessons are | | | | onto a wide variety of objects and garments by |
| examples of experiences that will be highly enjoyable | | | | specialist printers. |
| for the right type of person. | | | | Buying an unusual pet is sometimes thought of as an |
| Less costly treats include tickets to events and | | | | interesting and suitable birthday present. But before |
| performances that the recipient might not normally | | | | presenting a lizard, giant spider or snake, take great |
| consider attending. Opting for this type of unusual | | | | care to research whether this really would be the right |
| birthday present carries a risk, of course, but it shows | | | | thing for the person concerned. |
| you've tried to find something different. | | | | The welfare of the creature being given as a present |
| If you have suitable contacts, you might be able to | | | | is a major consideration. Its housing, care and feeding |
| arrange a meeting with someone the recipient admires, | | | | involve commitments that the recipient has to be |
| such as a celebrity, sports star, actor or other | | | | prepared to learn about and take on. It must not be a |
| performer - perhaps after a performance and | | | | surprise present but planned carefully in consultation |
| combined with a restaurant meal. | | | | with all involved. |
| If the cost of an unusual birthday present has to be | | | | |