by Brenda Coffman

Created on: August 23, 2008

My Husband Dan's Birthday was fast approaching and we were on a very tight budget. As he kept telling me over and over "Don't get me anything." I tried to think of an idea that would let him know how much I loved him and still pay the electric bill on time.

We have been married for 15 years and I felt like I had already bought it all for him. What could I do that was new and creative? What could I do to show him how much he meant to me? I felt bad that I didn't have more to spend on him, then I realized I had time, love, creativity, and a knowledge of his favorite litte things.

This year we celebrated "The 12 days of Dan" (An altered version of The 12 Days of Christmas)

I started 12 days before his birthday giving him small gifts of everything he likes:

On the First Day of Dan my true love gave to me: A partridge in a pair tree(A really naughty DVD)

On the Second Day of Dan my true love gave to me : 2 Turtle Doves (Chocolate Turtles and Doves)

On The Third Day of Dan my true love gave to me : 3 French Hens (3 Cornish Hens: His favorite Dinner)

On the Fourth Day of Dan my true love gave to me : 4 Calling Birds (4 cashwords= Lottery tickets)

On the Fifth Day of Dan my true love gave to me : 5 Gold Rings (5 pounds of Hot Wings)

On the Sixth Day of Dan my true love gave to me : 6 Geese a laying ( 6-pack of Vanilla Coke)

On the Seventh Day of Dan my true love gave to me: 7 Swans a swiming(Swedish Fish ate the swans)

On the Eighth Day of Dan my true love gave to me: 8 Maids a-milking (8oz of Milk Maid Carmels)

On the Nineth Day of Dan my true love gave to me: 9 Ladies Dancing (Well one wife, and the rest is private!)

On the Tenth Day of Dan my true love gave to me: 10 Lords a-leaping (New Sneakers)

On the Eleventh Day of Dan my true love gave to me: 11 Pipers Piping: ( A new CD)

On the Twelfth Day of Dan my true love gave to me: 12 Drummers Drumming ( Slim Jims as Drumsticks)

I think this was a great way to express my love for my husband. When did Birthdays and Holidays become all about the money? It's much more meaningful to put some effort and creativity into your gift giving. Fell free to use this example to surprise someone. Or better yet, use one of their favorite songs, books, or Movies to make a theme of small gifts and cards.

This was fun, and he loved it. I was surprised and how much fun I had planning it out. All in all I only spent a little over $60. It made him feel special that I remembered all his favorite things.

Learn more about this author, Brenda Coffman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.