| Milestone birthdays come in many flavors. I won't list | | | | before but it will not have that lasting taste that you |
| them all but the 16th and the 30th are two of the | | | | can savor for years to come. |
| best known. When someone hits upon a milestone it | | | | As a matter of fact if you can figure out the gift a |
| is customary to make a big deal of it. You have no | | | | year or more in advance you can foreshadow it the |
| doubt heard of folks receiving black roses for their | | | | year before, then you can reveal a little more of the |
| 30th or some other birthday that is supposed to | | | | plan each month or whatever interval you wish. Now, |
| mark being old. | | | | I have to point out that this is not the way to |
| The Bicentennial birthday of the United States is | | | | celebrate a passing acquaintance's milestone, unless |
| probably the best known and probably the most | | | | you want to be labeled a stalker. |
| celebrated birthday ever observed at least in the U.S. | | | | This type celebration is for a close friend, your |
| and it gives us some guidance in honoring our own | | | | spouse or partner. If you do it and do it well they will |
| friends and loved ones when they hit their own | | | | love you more than you thought possible. |
| milestone birthdays. | | | | Let me give you some additional insight into what I |
| Citizens made it a big deal and it was a celebrated | | | | am talking about so that you know we are both on |
| for more then a year before the birthday came with | | | | the same page. Let's say that the milestone birthday |
| a rush of adrenaline. The biggest reason, I believe | | | | gift is a dream golf trip. The year before the big |
| was the anticipation. | | | | event you give them a set of clubs. Periodically you |
| Anyone can order a dozen black roses or take an ad | | | | give them a reminder that you haven't forgotten |
| out that says, "Lordy, Lordy, look who's forty." I like | | | | that golf is important to them. A month or two later |
| a joke as well as anyone and my friends have called | | | | you give them a golf magazine subscription. Later still |
| me a first class practical joker, however if that is | | | | you give them monogrammed tees. Even further |
| what you want to try then do it with some panache. | | | | down the road you give some fancy ball markers. |
| How do we tie both of these ideas together? Simply | | | | I think you get the point. You weave a story for a |
| put, it is planning. You must decide early what the gift | | | | period of time but you must do it in such a way that |
| will be and start planning for the unveiling. You will not | | | | they do not fully understand until the day has come. |
| hit on the perfect idea the day before a birthday. | | | | They will love you for the thought and the planning. |
| That is not to say you will not find an acceptable | | | | You will enjoy it as much as they do and your |
| way to celebrate the milestone birthday the day | | | | relationship will be richer for it. |