I have had a lot of requests recently to cover gift ideas for those unfortunate enough to have their birthday fall in December or January. It happens every year; your busy thinking about Christmas, planning what to get everyone and how much to spend. Your weekends are crammed with shopping, re-uniting with old friends and visiting family. Then all of a sudden it hits you - someone close to you is having a birthday! We all do it. But try and put yourself in their shoes. If it happens to us every year, just think how many times it happens to them. Just think how many people forget their special day, or have no money or time to spare. Not to mention how annoying it must be to have the weather usually putting a stopper in any plans or parties they manage to sort out.

Hopefully these hints and tips will make sure that special friend/family member never gets forgotten.

PLAN AHEAD
Make a note of it twice. Obviously mark down the date of their actual birthday, but why not try marking it down a month early? Lets face it, no one turns the page on the calendar until the very last minute. Well if their birthday is in  December or early January then mark a reminder in November.

Make a note of their birthday on your Christmas card list. If you're really organised then you can also try and buy their birthday card a few months earlier. Lets face it, trying to buy a birthday card in a shop brimming with Christmas cards and Christmas card shoppers is a nightmare.

And whilst your doing that, you might as well make a note on your present list. All it takes is to put x2 by their name to remind yourself to buy them 2 gifts. That way you can do your Christmas shopping and your birthday shopping in the same trip.

SALES
If their birthday is in January then take full advantage of the sales. You can make them feel extra special with one of two options. Option one; buy them something really nice from a more costly store, such as Next, Cath Kidston or Topshop, that would have cost twice as much just 30 days earlier. Option two, go to a cheaper store, such as Boots, and buy them twice as much! Just think how happy a girly friend would be with an enormous Soap & Glory gift set!

FACEBOOK/TWITTER
People put their whole lives on facebook and I guarantee you will find a few hints on their profile page. Firstly, if they have bothered to fill out their profile information then you will find their likes, dislikes, music and films written in a handy list just waiting for you. You can also scroll quite far back through their facebook/twitter history to find out if they've been subtly hinting at a certain gift in their status updates.

Many websites now have a feature like Amazon where you can make your own 'wish list'. Basically, if you want something but you can't afford to buy it there and then, you have the option to save it in your wish list for as long as you like. The beauty of it is you can share this list on twitter and facebook - this shows up as an easy link in their status. All you have to do is click on the link and the list is there ready and waiting. The only effort you have to make is filling in your details. However, if you can't find this on their facebook page you have a back up option. You can simply search for their list on amazon. All you need is their name or email address. Click on the link below to take you to the search page.

amazon wish list

And finally...
NEVER COMBINE GIFTS
Nothing upsets them more than the idea that you have made half the effort by only buying them one gift for both events (unless of course you buy them an iphone or a new TV, then all is forgiven). Make it crystal clear that this gift is for their birthday by buying them the least festive gift you can find. On the other hand, if you are struggling to find something un-festive at the most festive time of year then why not plan an event for them. You and your friends could treat them to a meal at a restaurant, or, if funds are an issue, you could always have a surprise 'fuddle' at someones house after work. Simply have each guest bring 1 item of food or drink each - it is always a good idea to confer before the event so you don't end up with a table full of nothing but sausage rolls. Then you have a table full of buffet food and you only had to pay for 1 thing! A fuddle is always a nice way to have a fun party in a relaxed atmosphere with minimum cost.