DIY birthday lucky packet

It was my boyfriend's birthday on 26 October, and as per usual I tried to think of something thoughtful and creative to give to him. I've been making cards since I was a child. My parents always encouraged my sister and me to make things instead of paying money for something we didn't put much thought into. I'm so glad they instilled this quality in me because it's made a lot of people close to me really happy on their special days.

I usually start off by creating a folder for them on my PC. I then Google things that they like (and ABUSE Pinterest), save the pics or ideas in the folder and once I've decided what would work best, I print them out. I also search for pics and words in magazines to make collages.
Hmmm... I wonder if I could turn this into a business opportunity... :)

Here are some things I gave him last year:

I folded an A4 piece of card in half and printed a cool pic of him, plus characters and scenes from some of his favourite movies and series like Iron Man, City of Angels, Edward Scissorhands, The Inbetweeners and The Big Hit. On the inside of the card I wrote a personal message and stuck some memorabilia from dates we had been on like ticket stubs and flyers. On the back cover I included some more movie pics - Fight Club and Trainspotting and of course one of his favourite directors, Quentin Tarantino. I also had to add a  pic of us that was taken at Flamjangled Tea Party (you know, just in case years from now he can't remember who this "Emma" person was...)

Then, I also decided to compile a "mix tape", or rather, CD. I wanted to customise the CD holder as well.

Since he has an obsession with 90's bands and the Motown music genre (weird combo, I know), I decided to print a few icons and symbols of his favourite bands like Green Day, RHCP, Blink 182 and Foo Fighters.

I also included his idol, Steve McQueen, the Star Wars cast and the guys from the 80's movie The Princess Bride (which is my all-time favourite and now one of his - this was basically the first time I showed him an old movie he hadn't seen before!)

Cue cheesy pic...

I just HAD to add the Motown element.

And now, for the playlist:

This is just a snippet to give you an idea of what I chose. The playlist is 132 songs long... I know what you're thinking: WTF. To tell you the truth, I'm the most indecisive person on the planet so trying to narrow it down was impossible for me.

ANYHOO, I just remembered I was actually writing about what I got him this year.

His lucky packet contained:

• The Snatch movie screenplay and Ghostbusters novel and National Geographic published in the year he was born (all of which I found at a second-hand book store. Believe me, it took some searching)
• Some movie snacks and his favourite cooldrink
• A booklet of "Love Coupons" (which I found here). Things like: Date Night, Breakfast In Bed, Back Rub, Homecooked Meal, etc. There's also a blank one to create your own coupon ;)
• A shaving kit - one of those old-fashioned shaving brushes and some nice (read: pricey) after shave balm
• A mug with a personal message (Pinned here)
• And, of course, a card made by me with some cool quotes about life 

"People never grow up. They just learn how to act in public."
- Bryan White

“Don't you find it odd," she continued, "that when you're a kid, everyone, all the world, encourages you to follow your dreams. But when you're older, somehow they act offended if you even try.” 
― Ethan Hawke, The Hottest State

Hope this gave you some inspiration for when you can't think of what to get for that special someone.

xxx