Hello my beautiful friend!
Hey, I have an idea for you of something super simple you can do that will really make someone in your life HAPPY.
For this uplifting and joyful gift, all you need is a birthday card — store bought or homemade — and a date on the calendar to spend time with someone you love.
If you want, you can also add in flowers or a balloon or dressy clothes or bubbles or a tiara or other celebratory sumpthins. But none of these are necessary for this gift to have an impact.
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So, what are we up to?
We’re gonna surprise your person with a “Pretend Birthday!”
This is a way of adding some unexpected appreciation and celebration during a time in the world when life can feel really hard.
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The Pretend Birthday:
So, what do you do?
Write out your card. And, like I said, if you want to add any extra fun things, get ’em ready.
Then, you show up at the expected time and meeting place and immediately give your person a BIG HUG — if that feels Covid safe!
You immediately hand them the card and say, “Happy Pretend Birthday!” Then add, “In honor of your AMAZINGNESS, we are pretending it is your birthday today. I’m treating you to dinner/lunch/dessert/whatever and we are going to celebrate YOU!”
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Then, put on your best extra-special sparkle and charm.
If it feels organic and authentic, tell this person some things you love and appreciate about them.
Ask them if there is any support they need or any way you can be especially helpful.
Really, truly pretend as if it is their birthday and make it SPECIAL in any way that occurs to you.
Note: You could even tell your server at the restaurant that it is your table mate’s birthday and ask for a candle in the dessert!
Why not?!
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How fun would it be to do this for someone who isn’t expecting anything but a lovely time with you?
It layers on the love and goodness!
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This idea came from a Club House conversation I had with my friend, Elise, a few months ago. We called it, “Let’s Pretend it’s Your Birthday” and we encouraged people to celebrate themselves.
Now, it just so happened that later that same day, I was meeting my friend, Tricia, for a sunset dinner in Sausalito.
I found a birthday card in my box o’ emergency greeting cards and wrote a short message to her.
Then, I did exactly what I said to you: when we sat down, I let her know I was celebrating her pretend birthday and wanted to treat her to dinner.
It was so much fun!
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Making these kinds of “I celebrate you” gifts for others has literally changed the shape of my life.
My connections to people have deepened over the years.
I feel more positive because I am on the lookout for unique ways to celebrate.
It is a lifestyle that we can choose.
I want this for you, too.
Hope you will try this uplift gift for someone you love.
I promise you, it will feel like a gift for you, too!
Seek celebration — even in dark corners,
xo Sherry
P.S. My book, Say it Now, is filled with dozens more creative ideas like this to celebrate and appreciate people you love!