Birth-month inspired birthday gift ideas

Tradition links every month on the calendar with a particular gem and flower, and these can serve as great inspirations for memorable giving. Here are the most widely recognized birthstones and birth flowers, with some suggestions for how you can use them to celebrate friends and family. As you might expect, most of these birthday gift ideas are geared toward women, but there are a few ideas for a guy in your life, too. Just click below to get inspired with a gem of a gift idea for every month of the year!
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
January
Birthstone: Garnet
Birthstone jewelry doesn’t have to be new! Of all the birthstones, garnet pins, earrings and pendants are the easiest to find and the most affordable. Try antique malls, flea markets, estate sales, Etsy or eBay.
Birth flower: Carnation
If you need an inexpensive little gift, you might consider a silk carnation hair clip or pin. This is also a creative way to embellish a wrapped present!
February
Birthstone: Amethyst
Some people believe this birthstone has healing powers. All we can say for sure is that an amethyst crystal on a desk or shelf can be a gorgeous reminder of friendship or love.
Birth flower: Violet
You can buy edible candied violets online to decorate a birthday cake or cupcakes. Regardless of whether people eat them, they look charming.
March
Birthstone: Aquamarine
Sweaters and scarves, even if they’re cashmere, are often marked down to a fraction of their cost at this time of year. If you find something in the pale blue-green shade of her aquamarine, she can enjoy it on chilly spring days and next year, too!
Birth flower: Daffodil
Daffodils aren’t available in every season, so why not get her a big bunch on her birthday? They shine on their own or with any white or purple blooms. An empty glass applesauce jar, washed and with the label removed, makes a perfect vase.
April
Birthstone: Diamond
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but cubic zirconia stud earrings in a quality setting look just like the real thing, and they’re a wardrobe basic almost anyone can use.
Birth flower: Daisy
You can infuse her world with the light, fresh daisy smell through daisy-scented gifts, such as candles and potpourri. Just search for “daisy-scented gifts” on the Internet.
May
Birthstone: Emerald
Provide him or her with specialty coffee from Seattle. In the birthday card that goes with it, write something like, “Since emerald is your birthstone, here’s something from the Emerald City!”
Birth flower: Lily of the Valley
Indulge her with some lily-of-the-valley bath and body products from her favorite store. Almost everyone will appreciate a scented soap or hand lotion.
June
Birthstone: Pearl (or Alexandrite)
A pocketknife is a handy tool for almost anyone, and you can find one with a mother-of-pearl handle in honor of his or her birthstone.
Birth flower: Rose
Introduce her to some fun summer reads! Thousands of books have “rose” in the title. Check out Jennifer Donnelly’s series beginning with The Tea Rose or Susanna Kearsley’s time-travel romance, The Rose Garden.
July
Birthstone: Ruby
Give her some vintage ruby glass—wine goblets, candlesticks or a faceted bowl filled with her favorite candy.
Birth flower: Larkspur
Larkspur, or delphiniums, are biennials. If a gardener plants some seeds in the month of August, he could have some blooming in the garden on his July birthday next year! Attach a seed packet or two to a wrapped birthday gift.
August
Birthstone: Peridot
A stretch bracelet is a casual way to wear peridot, and it makes a great inexpensive girlfriend gift!
Birth flower: Gladiolus
If you want to give flowers, an empty glass bottle can serve as the perfect container for a stalk or two of gladioli.
September
Birthstone: Sapphire
If you think the person would appreciate a celebratory toast, present him or her with one of the many liquors now packaged in a beautiful blue bottle—just the thing for mixing up a party cocktail.
Birth flower: Aster
Asters are small, daisy-like blooms, most often purple, pink or lavender. One of these plants in a pretty container is a long-lasting accent for a porch or front step in the fall.
October
Birthstone: Opal (or Tourmaline)
The subtle glow of opals has inspired a slew of nail polish colors. Wrap up a bottle plus a gift certificate to a nail salon.
Birth flower: Marigold
Many grocery stores sell packages of edible flowers that include marigolds in the mix. They look very pretty frozen into ice cubes for a party!
November
Birthstone: Citrine (or Topaz)
Put together a gift basket based on citrine’s golden color. Choose items like yellow kitchen utensils and dishtowels or yellow socks, gloves or a scarf. Wrap them all up in yellow tissue paper. It’ll definitely bring sunshine to her day!
Birth flower: Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum tea is as healthy as it is delicious. Give her some along with a glass teapot, so she can see the flowers open as it brews.
December
Birthstone: Turquoise (or Zircon/Tanzanite)
You can find turquoise on numerous items, including belts, purses and jewelry. If you want to buy someone a ring and you’re not sure of her size, remember that most women can wear a size seven ring on one of their fingers. Of course, you can always tuck a receipt in a small envelope marked “return slip” in case he or she prefers to make an exchange.
Birth flower: Narcissus
A paper-white narcissus (also known as a daffodil) can be an elegant touch to any table. To display a few stems, wash and dry a large can and wrap it with decorative paper using double-stick tape. Another approach is creating a bouquet of origami narcissus. You can find several instructional videos on the Internet.
Shop Birth Month Gifts
See allYou may also like
See more-
Mother's Day What to Write in a Mother's Day Card
Tell her just how much she means using this guide from Hallmark writers.
-
Gift Wrapping Giftology: how to wrap a Mother's Day gift
Make Mom’s day with these simply stunning Mother’s Day gift-wrapping ideas. Watch our video tutorials ...
-
Mother's Day How to Write an Appreciation Letter for Mom
No one has loved you (or put up with you) like Mom has. Or let’s say it wasn’t “Mom”—maybe it’s been a stepmom, grand...
-
Valentine's Day Free Printable Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages You'll Love
Valentine’s Day is all about love. Not just the romantic kind, either. More and more, people are using Valentine’s Da...
-
Valentine's Day What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card
Hallmark writers offer up inspiration to help you find just the right loving words to add when you sign a valentine.
-
Birthday What to Write in a Birthday Card
When it comes to signing birthday cards, there are people who have no problem picking up a pen and adding a warm, per...
-
Christmas Christmas Wishes: What to Write in a Christmas Card
Get sample messages, tips and watch our new video guide to write the perfect Christmas card.
-
Anniversary What to Write in an Anniversary Card
Here’s to lasting love! From still-newlyweds toasting with wine glasses they opened on their weddin...
-
Christmas Baby’s First Christmas: Making it a holiday to remember
All of a sudden, you’re more than just a couple: You’re a family. Or a bigger family. Baby’s first Christmas means...
-
Anniversary Anniversary gifts by year
There are a lot of anniversary gift lists out there. Most hit the major milestones with traditional and modern the...
-
Father's Day Father's Day Without Dad: Remembering Lost Loved Ones with New Traditions
For many of us, “father” is synonymous with love, guidance and support. That love does not dissipate after our fat...
-
Family How to Support Foster Families
It’s so exciting when someone you know welcomes a child into their lives, whether by birth, adoption, or fostering...
-
Baby Gifts for New Parents: Thoughtful Things to Give and Do
We know what to get for babies: onesies and blankies and binkies. But what about the newly overwhelmed moms and da...
-
Kwanzaa What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa, a festival of lights rich in African symbolism, takes place each year from December 26th through January ...
-
Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Wishes: Connect with a Kwanzaa Card
Kwanzaa, a festival of lights rich in African symbolism, takes place each year from December 26th through January ...
-
Hanukkah Hanukkah Wishes: What to Write in a Hanukkah Card
Hanukkah is a lighthearted festival filled with rich traditions, many of which include food, fun, family and frien...
-
Christmas What is Three Kings Day?
Each January 6th, Latinx families around the world celebrate Three Kings Day— Día de los Tres Reyes Magos...
-
Father's Day 10 homemade Father's Day gifts
Dads like useful things. If you already know this, it’s probably because this isn’t your first Dad Rodeo (that’s w...
-
Mother's Day Free Printable Mother’s Day Coloring Pages
Show Mom, Grandma and Nana how much they mean with printable coloring pages you can decorate just for them. We hav...
-
Wedding What to write in a wedding card
Imagine yourself in the parking lot walking in to your friend’s wedding reception—pen in hand, neck...