Thursday 7 April 2011

50 Small Things for a Special Friends Birthday



One of my friends is celebrating a big birthday and I decided to make her a very special gift. I googled 50th Birthday for ideas and found a suggestion for a box of small things, sadly I can't find the original site otherwise I'd have posted a link. I started with a list of 30 and added and fiddled with the possibilities and finally finished with 50 small things. I collected them over two months and packed them all in a shoe box which I wrapped in gold holographic paper. My friend Debbie loved her gift and especially the little box of hugs which reduced her to tears. Here is the list if you wish to make your own for a special birthday girl or boy. You can tailor the list to fit the recipient.

50 Small things for your birthday

1. A favourite poem – The Host of Golden Daffodils

2. Candle-To remind you to shine brightly

3. Hand cream - to care for your hands

4. Lipgloss to keep you looking glamorous

5. Love hearts - To remind you that you are loved

6. A lighter - To light your fire when you're feeling burned out

7. A safety pin- To remind you to stay sharp

8. A pack of Smarties - To help you on those days when you don't feel smart

9. A pack of Starburst - To give you a burst of energy on days when you don't have any

10. Confetti- To remind you to have fun

11. Sellotape Tape- To fix things that will not work

12. A Potholder - For when things get too hot to handle

13. A Penny - So you will never have to say, "I"m broke".

14. Birthday Badge – so everyone knows its your special day.

15. A Rubber Band - To stretch yourself beyond the limits

16. String - To tie things together when everything falls apart

17. Elastoplast - For when things get a little rough

18. Crayon - To color your day bright and cheerful

19. A Puzzle Piece - Without you things wouldn't be complete

20. A Cotton Ball - For the rough roads, seek the cushioned support of family and friends

21. Happy face- Smiling is contagious

22. Eraser - To remind you that you can start every day with a clean page

23. Paracetomol – To cure a headache.

24. Battery - To give you that extra charge to keep you going... and going….. and going.

25. Piece of Rope - When you reach the end of yours, this will keep you going a bit longer

26. Paper clip - To help keep things together when they seem to be out of control.

27. A Small Smooth Stone - To remind you that the rough times help to refine and polish

28. A Star- so you shine like the star you are.

29. A Button – because you are always as bright as a button.

30. Glitter- For a glimpse of how the world looks through a child's eyes

31. A fuse - for when you blow yours

32. A small bag of marbles - for when you lose yours

33. A heart - to remind you that love is all around you (I cross stitched one)

34. A bag to keep it altogether

35. A little box of hugs – read its label please. (see below for label)

36. IOU – a 2011 coin (IOU because the 2011 coins aren't in circulation yet!)

37. Seashells – memories of summer holidays

38. A best memory photo – Tea at South Lodge

39. A cup - to make your favourite hot drink in.

40. Tea-bags – for time to relax and rest

41. Lavender sachet for you to bring you a little bit of summer time.

42. A pretty little apron – to keep you glamorous in the kitchen (I made the apron)

43. An origami crane for peace

44. Pretty post it notes for those special messages

45. Pen for when you can’t find one around the house

46. A lucky sixpence from 1961- on a silver chain for you to wear. (purchased on ebay)

47. A bottle of bubbles because they are always fun. (champagne miniature bubbles)

48. Pretty tissues to catch your sneezes

49. Bunting for your birthday – Fairy sized! from allsorts website

50. 50th birthday balloon to make you smile.


The tag for the box of hugs make a tiny box from card and gift wrap with ribbon etc. Attach a gift tag which reads ...

This is a very special gift,


That you can never see,


The reason it's so special is


It's just for you from me.

Whenever you are lonely


Or are ever feeling blue


You only have to hold this gift


And know I'm hugging you.

You never can unwrap it


Please leave the ribbon tied


Just hold the box close to your heart


It's filled with hugs inside.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Jane, what a wonderful gift, your friend is very lucky to have you.

Louise said...

I agree, what a good friend you are! It really is a great idea. It must have taken you quite a while to gather everything together. Especially when each item has such meaning. x

The Blonde Duck said...

That's so sweet!

Elizabeth said...

That is such a lovely gift idea! Finding 50 small things is no small feat. Well done.

Ally Jay said...

That is such a fabulous gift, what a great thing to do for your friend.

raining sheep said...

You are so sweet. 50th is a major birthday; it will be mine late this year. I can't believe it. When I look in the mirror I don't think I look any different ;)

Anonymous said...

this is an awesome idea that am definitely using! thanks so much for sharing. i was looking so hard for a special gift. u made my day!

Anonymous said...

I was compiling a list of 50 gifts to buy for my friend's 50th but ran out of ideas. I really like the simplicity with the thoughts behind the gifts, this has given me inspiration to think a little differently.

Thank you so much for sharing!!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for posting this! My friend's birthday is tomorrow and this is perfect!

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Anonymous said...

lol I have a guy friend and hes turning 13 so can I take 13 things and make them a little bit more, my own, y'know?

Anonymous said...

This is brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Thank you man, its just love . and THANKS for this great post , its really informative and readable.
Actually i found the same kinda stuff when i was reading about National boyfriend day 2018 on another site also , so i came across yours site as well.

Anonymous said...

I love this! It’s given me loads of ideas for my friends 50th x