Great birthday gift ideas, like any great gift idea, are those that make the recipient feel special. While that may sound hard, it’s easy to achieve with a little thought about the person you want to please. Want a great birthday gift idea? Start thinking about what makes a birthday special.

Memories can make a great day last forever, and giving someone a gift that triggers wonderful memories can make even an inexpensive gift priceless. Creating a special way to present a gift creates a special memory that is recalled every time the gift is seen or worn. And the presentation doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. There’s no need for an elaborate surprise party or dinner. A necklace casually draped around a morning cup of coffee will do double duty—not only will the necklace make her smile when she remembers her surprise, she’ll also think of you when she sees a cup of coffee standing in the same position. Have lunch plans together? Consider taking a limo drive through the McDonald’s drive-through instead of a fancy meal, or taking a picnic lunch on a hansom cab ride through the park. Prefer a quiet evening in? Create a gift picnic pack: a DVD of the movie Chocolat, a chocolate-colored picnic blanket, and a basket full of chocolate munchies.

Can’t spend time together? Don’t despair. The great thing about memories is that they can be relived. So consider the birthday girl (or boy). Make a list of the best times you’ve had together in the past year. Did you have a great day at the beach? Jewelry or a painting with an ocean or shell theme makes a great birthday gift idea. Did you see a movie that made you laugh together? Think of an element in the movie that would evoke the memory. A great birthday gift idea can come from anywhere in your relationship with the recipient, including the promise of future fun.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to create great memories yet, a related ‘souvenir’ can make an event special even before it has taken place. Buy tickets to a movie, concert, or event that hasn’t come out yet and include them with a gift that the recipient can wear or use in the meantime. Stretch your imagination as you browse through catalogs. You’ll be amazed at how many things make you think of the birthday girl (or boy).

Another important element in a great birthday gift idea is the presentation. Don’t just buy a generic birthday card. Add a personalized note instead, and take the time to express why your gift reminds you of the recipient. Your thoughtfulness will make both the day and the birthday gift idea special and unique.