As people grow older, they tend to place less and less importance on their birthdays. And while this may be all right for the birthday boy or girl, its not exactly what their family members and loved ones want, especially when it comes to milestone birthdays like the 40th, 50th and 60th.

But even if a friend or loved one isnt interested in having a big party on the, there are other ways to honor the event that may be more acceptable to them.

One way of commemorating a big birthday without making too big a deal about it is by creating a personalized gift basket with contributions from the whole family.

A 60th birthday gift basket, for example, could include photos and cards from children and grandchildren. Even if the recipient is reluctant to have a party, theyll definitely appreciate this thoughtful gesture.

For younger family members, a humorous 40th birthday gift basket might be just what the doctor ordered. This package could include gag items like Geritol or a fake newspaper page with a made up obituary.

Many times, people who say they dont want a big birthday party are really just telling people that they want something simple and thoughtful. And a birthday gift basket is a great way of doing just that.