Long Distance Gift Idea

Last November was a special occasion. Our dear friend Bill turned 50. The trouble was, he and his wife Gayle had also just moved several states away, and it was impossible to have a big party for him.

Gayle invited people to send e-mails and cards, but we wanted to do something more, so we thought and thought....actually, I'm the only one who thought and thought, but Dear Hubby helped with the execution of The Big Idea.

We decided to send Bill a Party-In-A-Box. You can buy something like this online and have it shipped directly, but we wanted to make our own. We went to the dollar store, the kind where everything is actually a dollar, and browsed around for inspiration. It didn't take long.

Here's what we put in the box:

• Dinosaur party hats and blowers (with a sticky note that pointed out Bill is an old dinosaur now)
• Balloons
• Bling-Bling (big gawdy fake jewelry, because every old guy needs a little bling-bling)
• A coloring book and crayons, Play-Do (sometimes old guys get more child-like)
• A can of Bold Nuts (because our friend Bill is an old, bold nut)
• A fake rock you can put on your car to look like it broke your windshield (because Bill rocks, and he likes climbing rocks)
• Fake nose/moustache/eyeglasses (to improve his looks)
• Pictures of us wearing fake nose/moustache/eyeglasses and holding signs wishing Bill a Happy Birthday
• A smart-aleck birthday card
• and finally, a real gift

We had fun doing it, and Bill had fun opening it. Maybe you can use this idea for a loved one that is far away on a special birthday or other occasion.