Gift giving is a fun challenge for me. How will I outdo my gift from last year? Buying a birthday gift for your best friend has to be a big deal. After all, isn’t that what friends are for? To celebrate you in a major way on your special day?

Being friends with someone for years and years means that you don’t just celebrate birthdays, but also holidays, special occasions and anything that is worthy of a pop of champagne. You might feel like you’re running out of ideas. I’ve had fun selecting presents over the years and I have a few ideas to share if you’re trying to come up with something new for your friend, too.

6 Birthday Gifts for Your Best Friend:

• Plan a Spa Day - Who doesn’t love to be pampered? Choose a mani/pedi combo or an afternoon of massages. Many spas offer service combinations or full-day beauty treatments, complete with lunch and time in the jacuzzi or pool. Research spas in your area that have all the special extras that your friend enjoys and make a reservation on or around the big day.

• Throw a Party - It can be a grown up affair complete with cocktails and fancy h’ordeuvres or you can be nostalgic and host a simple, but special affair complete with cake, ice cream and your bestie’s nearest and dearest.

• Send Flowers - A gal loves to get flowers and may not get them as often as she’d like. You don’t have to go the romantic roses route, but order her a cheerful bouquet of lilies, daisies or any of her other favorite florals. Better yet, swing by your local farmer’s market and put together a handmade bouquet yourself.

• Make a Gift Bag - Buy a pretty bag (that can be used as a purse or beach bag) and fill it with things your best friend loves. Ideas can include her favorite romantic comedy DVD, favorite junk food, beauty products, fashion magazines and anything else that will make her smile. Don’t feel as though you have to break the bank. Just buy things that will mean something to her.

• Buy a Special Bottle of Vino - Or, two or three. And, then go the extra step and have them personalized with an inside joke or a special birthday cheers special for her happy birthday wine. The bottle itself is something she will save and cherish for years to come.

• Create a Photo Album - Put together an album of prints of favorite pictures of the two of you from over the years and places you’ve been or trips you’ve taken. With everything being digitalized, sometimes it’s nice to have actual photos to look at and remember by dates written on the back.

• Tea Time - Afternoon tea is a fun treat that is perfect for a birthday celebration. Dress up in ladylike fashion and enjoy a feast of finger sandwiches, pastries and an assortment of teas. Find out which restaurants or resorts in your area offer afternoon tea, and relax while feeling classy.

No matter what you plan, know that your friend will enjoy it. Just as you appreciate anything she gets for you. It can be as easy as taking her to lunch and a matinee or drinks at her favorite happy hour. The point is to make her feel special and in a celebratory mood for her birthday.

Eventually, you may come across a time where you repeat a gift. You can handle this “dilemma” creatively too. Does your friend like to cook? Maybe over the years gift her different kitchen gadgets. Or, if she’s a book lover, make it a tradition to buy her a new novel each year. A new piece of jewelry, fabulous handbag or pretty scarf are always welcome gifts, just remember to make it something that matches her style and personality.

If all else fails, just ask. That’s the good thing about being best friends with someone, you can just be yourself. Maybe your friend has been wanting to plan a trip somewhere and needs a travel buddy or a favorite music artist is coming through town on tour. Even if the birthday gift isn’t given on the actual date, if it celebrates the time, then it still counts.

No matter what gift you decide on for your BFF’s birthday this year, the point is to make the gift unique to your friendship. It can be silly or sentimental or both. And when in doubt, just go back to the celebratory champagne and bring along two cups.