Do you have any Birthday gift ideas?

Ideas on how to arrange a gift for a friend's birthday?

• My best friend who is a lot older than I am is celebrating a birthday on February 12, a few days before Valentine's Day. She is a mature adult, almost 60, so I don't want her gift to come off looking like a cheap gift, or a child's gift. She is into making jewelry. I found some craft books, very nice ones, that are hard covered, about jewelry making and beading (two of her interests). I ordered 6 books in total but three are currently on back order and don't look like they will arrive in time for her birthday. I also ordered a large assortment (900) different glass beads that I know she will love and use in her jewelry making. There is also a red tote bag that is large, looks like a purse, and has leather handles. I have some ribbon that is made out of white plastic pearls. How can I tie everything together into a beautiful gift for her? Should I wrap the items individually and put them inside of the bag? Or should I wrap the bag? Should I use the pearl ribbon, or just put it in the bag so she can use it? And what do I do about the three books that won't arrive in time? Make a card with the titles and write an I.O.U., or come up with something different? Help please!

• Answer:

  I like the idea of wrapping everything individually and putting it inside the red bag. I'd use the plastic pearl ribbon to decorate the gift, because as a jewelry maker myself I can't think of anything she might use it for. As for the books that won't come in on time, I'd print a picture of each of them, and put the pictures in a card inside the bag with the other gifts. That way she gets to "unwrap" them, too. Hope this helps. :)