All of us know that the greatest gifts in life don't costmoney. They do take time to think and create. Whether youare looking for ideas for a 21st birthday, 16th, 3rd, or65th, these ideas will help you create some memorablemoments and affect lives. Substitute the X for the birthdaynumber. You can even be creative and use these same ideasfor expectant mothers.

1. A list of X things you most appreciate about him or her.

2. A gift certificate for X things to do together thatdoesn't cost money. Give this some forethought and matchwith what you love to do and what they love to do. You cancreate the gift certificates on the computer or buypreprinted ones at an office supply store.

3. Ask each member of your family and friends to thinkabout something they hold most dear and cherish most aboutliving. Ask them to create X number on a list and send itto this person for their birthday. You can give them analbum to place all of them.

4. Gift certificate for X favors and privileges that he orshe may exchange for services later. Such as cooking aspecial meal, teaching them to cook a family recipe,cleaning out the garage or car, a picnic in the Spring, or afoot massage. The more creative, the better the gift.

5. A list of the X things you wish someone had told youwhen you were that age. They can be the simplest of thingslike not to change a flat while close to the road, don'tpour bleach directly on clothes, or don't lick a frozenpole. Go ahead, I know you can do better than this.

6. Write a brief memorable, even funny story for each oneof their years. For expectant fathers or mothers memories,record the funny moments of pregnancy.

7. Create a special album with one picture from each oftheir birthdays.

8. Write about your hopes and dreams for them as you seethem on this particular birthday. This is especially well foryoung children. Accumulate them over the years and record howthey change as you both get older. If they are too youngnow, save them for later.

9. Share your wisdom of what to do when life serves lemonsbesides making lemonade. For their 18th birthday it can beabout the 18 best coping skills you ever learned.

10. Start a family journal dedicated to them. Pass thejournal around before the birthday or on their birthday andallow each family member to write an inspirational messageor a memorable moment. Use the same journal year after yearto build on these.

If the family member is away at war and can't be home fortheir birthday, create a journal with some of these items,make a copy, and mail it to them. Tell him or her that theoriginal will be waiting for them when they return. If yourson/daughter is away for any reason, you can use any ofthese ten things to make creative, memorable birthdays. Thesewould work whether you are on a tight budget or the richest personin the world. Honestly, when you learn to give from theheart you are the richest person in the world anyway.

(c) Copyright, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

About the Author: Catherine Franz is a writer and author of over 1800published articles and several books on various businesssubjects. Newsletters available at:http://www.abundancecenter.com