Okay, I'll admit it. I am one of those people that never remembers a birthday. Friends and family both suffer equally when it comes to my memory. Most of the people I am close with understand this about me and generously forgive this little shortcoming, but others can get a little touchy if they don't even get a little happy birthday card.
I ran into this situation again just a little while ago. Someone close to me had a birthday coming up - a fact that occurred to me the day before it arrived. I was going to be in a lot of trouble if I couldn't scrape something together fast.
The natural last resort of anyone desperate for a last minute gift is, of course, the Internet. Surely I could scrape up some ideas for a good birthday gift. Maybe there were instructions for how to make your own little happy birthday card, or - and this is what I was really hoping for - instructions on how to deliver a heartfelt apology for being an insensitive and forgetful clod.
As I searched around I came across a site that offered free birthday ecards. I had both seen and received these in the past, and at the time I really wasn't all that impressed by them. For some reason' cartoon puppies barking the Happy Birthday song - in the middle of my office - just didn't really appeal to me.
Nevertheless, I was in a desperate situation so I looked a little closer at the free birthday ecards that they listed on the site. These were a little better than what I had received back then. There were now a lot more options and I thought there was actually something she might enjoy.
I looked through the site and skipped the ones with cheesy animation and electronic sounds. I was more interested in customizing something that would impress her a little more than that. This time I went with a free birthday ecard that let me embed a YouTube video. It required a little extra research to find the right one (the one that involved a real puppy staring at the camera with really puppy dog eyes). It was so heart wrenching she would have no choice but to forgive me. I ended it with a much happier note, though, that should make her smile.
Of course, you never know what happens until you send it. And while I understand that sometimes emails can seem a little impersonal, I knew there was a good chance that such a personalized message could win me some points back.
This is clearly not the same as sending flowers or jewelry, but I did have to put in some time and effort to get the right one. I don't know if she'll consider free birthday ecards the equivalent of those other things, but it's the thought the counts. And if it's not, it should be.
I ran into this situation again just a little while ago. Someone close to me had a birthday coming up - a fact that occurred to me the day before it arrived. I was going to be in a lot of trouble if I couldn't scrape something together fast.
The natural last resort of anyone desperate for a last minute gift is, of course, the Internet. Surely I could scrape up some ideas for a good birthday gift. Maybe there were instructions for how to make your own little happy birthday card, or - and this is what I was really hoping for - instructions on how to deliver a heartfelt apology for being an insensitive and forgetful clod.
As I searched around I came across a site that offered free birthday ecards. I had both seen and received these in the past, and at the time I really wasn't all that impressed by them. For some reason' cartoon puppies barking the Happy Birthday song - in the middle of my office - just didn't really appeal to me.
Nevertheless, I was in a desperate situation so I looked a little closer at the free birthday ecards that they listed on the site. These were a little better than what I had received back then. There were now a lot more options and I thought there was actually something she might enjoy.
I looked through the site and skipped the ones with cheesy animation and electronic sounds. I was more interested in customizing something that would impress her a little more than that. This time I went with a free birthday ecard that let me embed a YouTube video. It required a little extra research to find the right one (the one that involved a real puppy staring at the camera with really puppy dog eyes). It was so heart wrenching she would have no choice but to forgive me. I ended it with a much happier note, though, that should make her smile.
Of course, you never know what happens until you send it. And while I understand that sometimes emails can seem a little impersonal, I knew there was a good chance that such a personalized message could win me some points back.
This is clearly not the same as sending flowers or jewelry, but I did have to put in some time and effort to get the right one. I don't know if she'll consider free birthday ecards the equivalent of those other things, but it's the thought the counts. And if it's not, it should be.
About the Author:
While it may not always be the most appropriate option, emailing someone you care about a free birthday ecard is a great way to show them that you thought of their birthday. You can also set them up to be sent in advance just in case you forget. You can find plenty of great ecards online.
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