Dani's Birthday Week: Birthday Celebrating on a Budget

Before we were even married Dani and I had discussed the idea of making the "birthday week" idea a tradition in our family. A birthday week can be many things, but essentially it is designed to honor the birthday girl or boy all week long.

Guys, I know, it can be tough enough trying to remember to honor your wife on just ONE day a year, not to mention seven in a row! But it's worth it, trust me, and she'll deeply appreciate your efforts.

DISCLAIMER
If your wife doesn't really enjoy her birthday, or if your family has decided not to make a big deal of them, a birthday week celebration might not go over well. Some women are extremely sensitive about their age, and if they can't stand to have their birthdays celebrated even for one day, a whole week is going to be a nightmare.

Celebrating your wife on her birthday doesn't have to be an expensive or time-consuming task, especially if you're on the road a lot or are trying to stay within a tight budget. Here are some suggestions for making your wife's birthday week a celebration of her.

1. Create a top 10 list of things you love about her and text them to her throughout the day. (If you're really ambitious, you could make a top 10 list to send to her every day!) This is a good idea if you travel a lot or can't be with your wife on certain days of the week.


2. Cards never fail to express at least some heartfelt sentiment, especially for guys who aren't good with words, but who know how they feel once they actually have the words. Stick a card in your wife's purse. Mail her one at work. Hide one in her favorite book, or some place that she'll find it at some point during the day.


3. One word: chocolate. Few women don't love chocolate. Buy a whole box of chocolates and leave them around the house. Set them on top of little notes that express your hopes and wishes for her in the coming year.


4. Make her dinner. If you're fortunate enough to be home when she isn't, surprise her with some grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies. (Seriously dudes, that is a meal that I have never ONCE screwed up, which must mean it's super easy to make!) Here's a terrific Red Wine Vineager Marinade for chicken. Let the chicken soak in this for four hours or so and you can't go wrong! (NOTE: I didn't include the dry mustard because I hate mustard, and we didn't have any lemon juice, but it still tasted fantastic!)


5. Write her a love letter that lets her know how glad you are to have her in your life. I know, I know, you told her "I love you" on your wedding day, but, generally speaking, women need emotional reassurance. She knows that you loved her on your wedding day, but inside she's wanting to know if you STILL love her. Make it a point to tell her every day on her birthday week.

The point is, a birthday shouldn't be a recognition of age, but a celebration of her life. Use the time to express to her how grateful you are for her, that she married you, that she's a wonderful wife and mother, and pretty much the coolest chick of all time.

Keep pinchin' :-)