You know the birthday gifts that have meant the most to me over the years have been the ones that were made by the person. My birthday was last week and it was a pretty low-key affair (I don't know many people in the area). But I received a gift in the mail yesterday from an old friend of mine and it means the world to me. She made me something that was very personal and involved something we are both passionate about (knitting).

Is there anyway you could give something to your friends that you have made? Or maybe a "gift certificate" for a personalized manicure from you. I'll bet they would be thrilled with that, it wouldn't cost you much (or even anything), and you would get to spend some one-on-one time with your girlfriends.

P.S. Don't worry about the money, I have discovered that it doesn't matter how old you are, you always feel there is more month than money