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How to Make Your Sister's Birthday Super
- by mswen
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- July 15, 2009
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My beloved little sister's birthday is in exactly 10 days, and since she lives all the way across the country in California, I'll be sending a long-distance gift. But whether she's near or far, there are so many creative ways to make your sister's birthday special and to show her that you love her. Here is the ultimate guide to help you do just that. (My brother's birthday is ALSO this month. But he'll be happy with a gift card to AutoZone.)
Treat her to a day of beauty
Many women don’t always make time to pamper themselves, but even if they do spoil themselves loyally, monthly expenditures for beauty can be steep. So, either way, you cannot go wrong with a gift of some (any!) sort of beauty indulgence for your sister. Make it even more sisterly and special and buy yourself the same service, too, and join her for laughs and bonding. (And how about bringing along a couple of nips of Jack Daniels to fuel the giggles? So fun!)
The great thing about a pedicure? The results usually last super-long.
Bella Sante the Spa On Newbury
38 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
This perpetual Best of Boston winner is a calming and relaxing place to indulge in some pampering.
This perpetual Best of Boston winner is a calming and relaxing place to indulge in some pampering.
Send her cupcakes
Listen. I know of only one person in this world who doesn’t love a good cupcake (yes, I’m talking about you, Betsy). Even BAD cupcakes are good. They’re cheery, happy, pretty, sweet, and a total treat — making them the perfect birthday gift for Sis! So either whip her up a batch yourself, or step it up a notch and get the professionals involved. And if you really want to make her day, have a box of cupcakes delivered to her office or at home for a totally unexpected day-brightener.
It’s small, it’s pink, and it has hearts sprinkled on top. And I’ll take 48 of them. Thanks.
Kickass Cupcake Co Llc
378 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144
With tons of creative flavors like mojito and carrot cake with mango frosting, you can feel OK about spending a little bit more because you know you’ll never be able to duplicate such insanity in your own kitchen. And they deliver, too!
With tons of creative flavors like mojito and carrot cake with mango frosting, you can feel OK about spending a little bit more because you know you’ll never be able to duplicate such insanity in your own kitchen. And they deliver, too!
Start a Sister Box
Birthdays are a great time to start a little tradition with your sister: the Sister Box. Simply fill up a box with treasures of your choosing (and, ideally, wrapped adorably) and send it off to Sis. In return, your sister does the same and back and forth the box goes, at completely unscheduled and random times, filled with little goodies and love.
How fun would it be to get this package of cuteness in the mail?
Give her a year of flowers
If you’re a multi-millionaire, have a bouquet of fresh flowers delivered to your sister every week for a year. It’s the right thing to do. But, if you’re not, there’s another way to indulge your sister’s green thumb: send her seeds (and pots!) for a year-round container garden. It’s a totally unique way to ensure that she’ll be surrounded by prettiness for her birthday year.
Petunias, marigolds, pansies, oh my!
Sign her up for a fabulous class
No, I’m not talking Statistics or Introduction to Economics. (Unless, of course, she’s into that sort of thing.) I’m talking about enrolling your beloved sister in a class that really interests her; maybe for a hobby that she’s never really had the time (or money) to pursue.
Explore your (or her) local Adult Education organization and Craigslist for a huge variety of classes that may be right up her alley, Sally.
Japanese bookbinding? Yep, that’s a class right up my sister’s alley. Creative classes like this one are offered at Paper Source.
Paper Source
1361 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446
Paper Source offers classes for the creative, paper-y type.
Paper Source offers classes for the creative, paper-y type.
Hone your cooking skillz with Chef Ron Boucher.
Chez Boucher Cooking School
321 Lafayette Road Hampton, NH 03842
Whether you’re a beginner or a true gourmand, taking a class at Chez Boucher is a relaxing and super-fun experience.
Give her customized stationery
Sure, all of her communication is done via e-mail. Or text. Which is why she would never think to invest in a set of gorgeous personalized stationery for herself. But once she opens up the box and sees her name letterpressed all neat and pretty, she won’t be able to resist penning and actually mailing a note out when the occasion arises.
Is she a social butterfly? Maybe calling cards would be more her speed. At once old-fashioned and yet completely modern, she won’t make a better first impression than tucking one into a gentleman’s shirt pocket.
Beautiful, classic flat note cards from Kate Spade.
Ooh, la la: letterpressed Kate Spade calling cards.
Crane & Co Paper Makers
Burlington Mall, Burlington, MA 01803
Crane’s screams “class” louder than almost any institution in existence. But their line of Kate Spade designs also keeps things fresh and modern.
Crane’s screams “class” louder than almost any institution in existence. But their line of Kate Spade designs also keeps things fresh and modern.
Indulge the budding shutterbug
Photography buffs are easy to please; they love all things camera and photo-related, so if your sister is one, then go with it. She won’t be disappointed.
She probably already has a digital camera, so any sort of accessory or gadget to make her life easier (an extra battery, a travel case, memory cards) will be used and used often. Or indulge her purist side with a batch of throwaway cameras or fun toy camera that use (gasp!) film. The possibilities are endless.
The PoGo Instant Mobile Printer from Polaroid (available at Urban Outfitters) is a cool, instant-gratification gadget.
This Lomography Diana Dreamer Camera (also at Urban Outfitters) not only looks adorable, but takes old-school looking photos.
Urban Outfitters
361 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
Suprisingly, Urbans has quite the selection of cameras and photography gadgets.
Suprisingly, Urbans has quite the selection of cameras and photography gadgets.
Give her a Flickr Pro Account
Flickr is THE place to share your prize-winning (or not) shots. For $25, she’ll get unlimited uploads and storage for a year.
Buy her art
It’s weird. Out of all of your family members, you’re the one who seems to just know what your sister likes. And vice versa. So while buying art for someone else can be tricky (and usually unsuccessful), I’m willing to bet that your sister would not only appreciate such a personal and cool gift, but would love what you’ve picked out.
But before you think that buying art is a budget-buster, I have one word for you: Etsy. There is no other spot on the planet where you can explore an almost unlimited number of styles and types of art by independent artists at almost every price range. And you’ll definitely find something that you know your sister will happily hang on her wall.
“When the World Sleeps” by dkim is haunting but hopeful.
You probably spent your entire childhood telling her there WAS something wrong with her. But reverse that mental abuse with this perfect print of affirmation by Mati Rose Mcdonough.
More great art here: 20x200
20×200 offers prints in print runs of 200 starting at $20 each. Genius!
Throw her a birthday party
Oh, yay! Who doesn’t love a party? Large or small (I suggest small to medium), when a soiree is thrown in your honor, you feel like you’re on top of the world. So why not give Sis that same feeling on her special day? Throw her a party and it’ll be a birthday she remembers for a long time.
The best parties are always thoughful yet simple, and are effortless yet appear totally pulled-together. Stitch up a garland, throw some pretty flowers in a few small vases, get out the pretty table cloth, turn on the tunes, and you’ve established your atmosphere. Throw in some easy appetizers (or entlist guests to each bring a dish), plenty of booze, a cake from the local bakery, and your food is taken care of. See? That’s how easy it should (and can) be.
Lovely, pretty decor like garlands and flowers are all you need to make your sweet sis feel special and celebrated.
Feeling elegant yet lazy? An easy party to throw is a chocolate party. Just add loads of red wine, and you’ve got two great tastes that taste great together. And when your presentation is as simple and spare as this, you’ll have everyone convinced that you’re a super-sophisticated minimalist.
Buy it here
Yes, you can even buy everything you need to throw a chocolate party right here. Except for the chocolate.
Buy her signature scent
Does Sis have a scent she wears constantly? Or is she looking for just that – her signature fragrance? Either way, you know she loves to smell pretty, so indulge her.
Fragrances are available in almost any form: perfume, body spray, lotions, and virtually anything else that can be infused with a scent. If she’s got a favorite already, your only dilemma is in what form to buy it. If she doesn’t, try a single scent (like vanilla, cucumber, or rose) in an oil form which typically isn’t overpowering and too perfume-y (a complaint most women have). Or, stay even safer and choose a scented lotion or body wash.
Kiehl’s Essence Oils would be perfect for my non-perfumey sister.
Kiehl's Since 1851
112 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
Kiehl’s products are the perfect balance between no-frills and completely coveted, and for the scent-wary (or undecided), a stop at their fragrance counter is a must.
Kiehl’s products are the perfect balance between no-frills and completely coveted, and for the scent-wary (or undecided), a stop at their fragrance counter is a must.
Help her accessorize
Who, pray tell, can resist a big bangle? Or a great clutch? Or a dainty necklace? Accessories, my friends, are a woman’s best friend. And I bet your sister thinks so, too. She may be into big statement pieces (think a long string of chunky beads) or more classic ones, like a silver chain with a pretty charm. Either way, there’s something for pretty much everyone, at every price point, no matter where you turn.
Not sure what Sis will go for? Pay attention to her personal style. Chances are, her favorite clothing store will have an accessories section where you should be able to find something that she’ll like. Even if she’s not much of a jewelry person, don’t forget: things like bags, belts, and hats are also accessories.
The colorful Higgins Brass Bangle at Anthropologie.
How great is this Jeweled Anemone Locket (also from Anthropologie)? Stick a tiny Happy Birthday note inside and you’ll be the best sister in town.
Anthropologie
799 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
From bags to shoes to great-looking jewelry, Anthropologie consistently has fabulous accessories that look sophisticated and one-of-a-kind.
From bags to shoes to great-looking jewelry, Anthropologie consistently has fabulous accessories that look sophisticated and one-of-a-kind.
Pimp her pad with cool goodies
Whether she’s got a house of her own or is still renting an apartment (or, still living with Mom and Dad), Sis is staying…somewhere. So make whatever home she’s got even more homey by giving her things that she’ll not only use, but will love to look at.
Make sure to avoid tchotchkes and kooky knickknacks, though, and focus on things that she’ll actually use, like fun kitchen gadgets, high-end candles, appetizer plates, and barware.
The home accessories selection at Hudson is stocked with unique things you won’t find anywhere else.
Hudson
312 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Design fanatics “in the know” know that Hudson is the hottest home decor store in Boston. So just seeing a Hudson-marked box or bag will prompt effusive thanks from your sister and will be something she can show off to her friends.
Design fanatics “in the know” know that Hudson is the hottest home decor store in Boston. So just seeing a Hudson-marked box or bag will prompt effusive thanks from your sister and will be something she can show off to her friends.
Take some time and shop for Sis!
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Aw you sound like a fabulous sister! Great ideas. I have to ship my sister a gift soon! Hers is on Thanksgiving this year. Thanks for the ideas! ;o)
.jpg "Chelsea")
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This is a great guide, I have a sister who I LOVE AND ADORE that I’d do ANYTHING, i’d even fly her to Boston to recreate your guide if thats what she wanted :) Happy bday to your sis!
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