Help!I can't come up with a suitable gift to my aunt!
By rytnlxm
@rytnlxm (310)
China
August 7, 2008 1:08am CST
Today is the chinese valentine's day,and it also is a special day for my aunt,it is her birthday.Although she is my aunt,she is only 5 years older than me.
Her husband is a armyman,and can not come home because the Olymipc Games is coming and all the chinese army is in the stand-to state.(sorry,I can not find a suitable word here to describe the state,I hope you can understand my meaning)
What a pity,a valentine's day without her valentine,and a birthday without her husband.So I want to give her a big surprise,such as some special gift.It took me hours to think about that,but I can not come up with a good idea,can you give me some suggest?Thank you.
2 people like this
10 responses
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
7 Aug 08
Today is one of the days in the Lunar Seventh month leh. How can it be the Chinese Valentine?
Did you get the date mixed up?
I thought the Chinese Valentine day is on the 15 day of the Lunar New Year?
I am confused. 
@rytnlxm (310)
• China
8 Aug 08
Hi,ahgong,yesterday is the double seventh festival,the 7th day of the 7th lunar month,it is a traditional festival full with romance.It often goes into Augest in the Gregorian calendar and we call it chinese valentine's day.
But now,more and more young people began to accept the 14th of Feb in Gregorian calendar to be another Valentine's day.
You know the lunar calendar,it seems that you know a lot about China.
Thank you for sharing.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
11 Aug 08
I heard of the story of the Cow herder and the Weaver Maid. But I did not know it associated with the 7th day of the 7th Lunar month.
So this is the Chinese Valentine's day.
Thanks for the reminder!
Then how about the 15th day of the new Lunar month then? Is it still called the Chinese Valentine?
@rytnlxm (310)
• China
11 Aug 08
Hi,ahgong.I have never heard about that before.But I have search it on net,you are right,it is another Chinese Valentine's day.In ancient times,there is not many chance for the young girl to go out with young boy,but when the Yuan Xiao Jie is coming,every town will hold exhibit of lanterns,in this time,young people can go out and meet their lovers.So Yuan Xiao Jie has another name:Lantern Festival Dumplings.
1 person likes this
@nutthouse3 (63)
• United States
8 Aug 08
Well I guess I might be to late, but maybe next time it will help.What about taking a photograph of the two of them that you know she loves and have it blown up to the next size and professionally framed. Also, I am not sure if they are in the same country, but if not then maybe a phone card for her to use to call him if possible. Also I saw where someone else suggested you watching the kids, you could do that and also, giving her a gift card to a spa for the day, to be pampered.
good luck,
@nilzerous1 (2434)
• India
7 Aug 08
After all she is your aunt, though only five years older, I think gift her something personalized - this may be a pair of tea/coffee mug; or a birthday candle mug, even flameless candles are good choice. These are the gifts that reflect your care for her. If you want to go with something more intense and stylish - consider handmde beaded jewelries; besides delicate figurines for home decoration is also a great gift if she has passion for home decoration.
@vaishalik (237)
• India
7 Aug 08
You are saying that her husband is not with her to enjoy birthday. So I think your whole day company will be great gift to her on her birthday. She will be very happy if she can enjoy the birthday with you, one of her nearest ones.
@highlyclever (1111)
• United States
7 Aug 08
Hi, rytnlxm!
I am not a woman, but one thing that I have heard American women with small children say that they would appreciate is time. If someone else could spend time with their small child, the woman would have an opportunity for going out for fun for an afternoon, or for cleaning, or for doing whatever they would like. Maybe you could offer your aunt a card and inside write that your present to her is that you will watch your cousin for a few hours so that your aunt can have some time for herself?
@rytnlxm (310)
• China
8 Aug 08
Good idea!She always complains that she has no time to go out since she became a mother.My uncle come home once a month and it is my aunt who look after the baby since she was born.I have never think of that before,next year I will make the card.I think I should post earlier next time and take notice of the time difference between us.
Thank you for the good idea.
@whkaren (25)
• China
7 Aug 08
yea, what a pity. hi rytnlxm, this is karen. so do you know what your aunt really wants ? or maybe just cook some dishes that your aunt likes very much and spent the some time with her. or invite some good friends of hers to have a party for her.just dont let her to feel lonely .happy birthday to your aunnt by the way.
@jammyt (2818)
• Philippines
7 Aug 08
Aww, that's sad. Anyway, it's good that she has you to cheer her up. I know whatever you will give her will make her happy. Is she fond of perfume? What about a nice, beautiful blouse? Or make up perhaps? Why don't you treat her out since her husband is not here, why not go out? If it is too crowded, why not just visit her, order food (or cook food) and have a good girl's night out? Treat yourselves to the salon or go window shopping. I'm sure whatever it may be, she'll appreciate the thought.
Happy Birthday and Valentine's to her!
@rytnlxm (310)
• China
7 Aug 08
Hi,jammyt,thank you for your suggestion.But the situation is a little complex.My aunt is a fashionable women,she has all kinds of fashion little things,she often give me perfume as a gift for no reason.
And she has so many clothing that sometimes she dare not to wear the clothes she buy newly because her mother always say that she has have too many clothes.
She has a little daughter and we can not go out with her daughter.
I think cook food by myself is a good choice,but when I get home,it must be 6 o'clock.
But thank you all the same.There is a good friend of me whose birthday is coming,I think I can send her perfume as a gift.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
7 Aug 08
Hi Rytnlxm, As your aunt will be on her own with her husband away why don't you just go and spend some time with her and take her out for a meal for her birthday or get a takeaway, I am sure she will appreciate your time far more. Ellie :D
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
19 Aug 08
Maybe a cake that you have baked or anything that you have made personally. Anything that you have spent your time and love on will be really appreciated no matter how small it is. Hope you get an idea from this. 
@paulyinBISU (77)
• China
7 Aug 08
it's really not easy to dicide.if you can't think it out just find something she like.
