I think of my family as having their collective birth dates later on in the second half of the year.  Maybe that’s because my own is.  But when I check now – into my now very busy yearly ‘birthday’ lists, I notice that the balance has shifted a little.  As younger ones have grown up and flown the nest, married and produced the next generation.   These have now happily spread the load throughout the twelve months.   With all gift buying and home gifting, I like to be organised about my card and gift sourcing – so that I can treat each purchase with care and attention to detail.  At one time I had three close in-laws with birthdays and wedding anniversaries all in one week in March . . . and each had to be treated completely separately to the others!  It was a case then of popping down one of two wonderful independant department stores in my local high street.   Those days sadly well gone – it’s been a case of looking on line for inspiration.  I look for this in the modern more offbeat outlets – individual ideas flood forth !