My dad is 60 years old today! Happy, happy birthday!
As my father’s birthday approached, I knew I wanted to do something extra special.
Back in February, I talked to my mom and aunt about an idea I had that involved a lot of people from my dad’s past.
I wanted to reach out to the people that mean the most to my dad and assemble a list of 60 things that they love about him. I wasn’t sure how I would present this to him until I saw this idea on Pinterest. I felt inspired to print each statement off on a separate card and seal it in an envelope, so I could present 60 separate envelopes filled with loving words to my dad on his birthday.
I reached out to everyone I know who means a lot to my dad. Childhood friends, colleagues, old neighbors, family members and scuba diving buddies. I requested just one sentence from everyone that began with the words, “I love…”
When the sentences started rolling in, I got more and more excited. People wanted to share more than one loving thought and the contributions ranged from hilarious to heartfelt. I found myself laughing and crying as I read everyone’s emails. I couldn’t wait to see my dad’s face when he read their thoughts!
Once I had most of the sentences assembled, I drove to Hobby Lobby to pick up craft supplies.
I bought cards, envelopes, labels, stamps and ink. I wanted the gift to look homemade with a vintage flare.
I stamped each envelope with a number from one to 60.
I then formatted the cards in Microsoft Word and printed each loving sentence on a separate card.
And here’s where the fun came in! Whenever possible, I included an old photo of my dad with the person who wrote the sentence printed on the card in the envelope.
He got a big kick out of the flashback photos!
Once I had the envelopes sealed, I stacked them in numerical order and tied them together. I included a label on top of the envelopes that read, “60 Reasons Why You’re Loved.”
Underneath the label was a picture of my dad when he was only 16 months old!
I cannot tell you how much fun it was to watch him open each and every envelope.
“Timmy wrote one!?”
“Sharon? You got Chuck and Grady!?”
It was very apparent how touched he was to read such loving words from his closest friends and family. And he deeply deserves all of the love that came his way!
Happy birthday to my dad.
I love you!
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Great job, Julie!!!! What a great gift! So thoughtful and fun! 🙂
I absolutely love this. It is so cute! I always look for new cute and crafty ideas for birthdays, Valentines Day, and anniversary’s. I will def do this
Wow. Pretty awesome, meaningful gift! I teared up. And boy, do you look like your dad. I really see it in his toddler pic.
I like that yellow bright ink. What’s it called?
What a thoughtful gift! I’m sure he’ll treasure every memory!
How sweet! Julie, how would you go about doing something like this for Father’s day? I have a few ideas but would love another’s opinion!
What an absolutely beautiful gift 🙂 Such a wonderful idea!
Oh my goodness, what an amazing gift! I think this is such a great idea! Did you send everyone an email or letter letting them know what you were doing? I would love to hear how you pulled this off. My dad is turning 70 next year and I think I might use this idea.
Great job! What a creative amazing daughter you are.
a greatttt gift!! :’)
aww that is such a sweet idea!
This has to be the sweetest idea ever. Your dad must’ve felt so lucky to have such a loving family!
Saving this post for when my dad retires next year! I think I’ll do his number of years working (38) so I will have a little less to do :). Such an awesome and meaningful idea, I bet your dad was floored.
That’s a great idea!! I love it!! I bet he felt so special with gift like that. Pinterest is always great for ideas for gifts, but you did such a great job with putting it all together. I might need to steal this idea for my dad and moms birthday 🙂
Love, love, love this idea! That baby/toddler picture of your dad is awesome – he still looks just like that!
That is such an amazing gift! It’s such a thoughtful, simple, beautiful one. You did an awesome job putting it together! Happy birthday to your dad! 🙂
omg this idea is amazing!!!!
Amazing! What a great idea- your dad must’ve loved it!!
What a CUTE idea! I might have to do something similar for my parents anniversary… 😉
We did this for my Dad’s 60th a few years ago!!!!! He LOVES this gift! He’s hardly ever brought to tears, laughter, and “OH Kids don’t read that!” in one sitting!
I did this last year for my Mom’s 50th! If was fantastic!
This is such a beautiful and special idea, Julie! I love it!!
What a sweet, sweet idea! Nice work!!
This is adorable!!! Best daughter award;)
that is SUCH a cute idea. i bet he absolutely loved them!!
that is such a sweet gift! : )
fantastic idea!!!!!!! 🙂
The best presents are never the ones with the largest monetary pricetag, but those with the most love and thought. This was absolutely beautiful!
The photo’s were such a classic touch!
You are SO sweet and thoughtful. It’s obvious how much time and effort you put into pulling this all together, and it looks fantastic! I’m definitely going to have to copy you on this 😉 Maybe for my dad’s 75th birthday!
I love this!! What a thoughtful gift!!
awwwww. I think a tear just trickled down my cheek. This is so sweet! I love every bit of it! I wanna do this too! This is so so so sweet! I can’t help but smile while I was reading this. You’re dad is so lucky to have you…
Anne’s Scribbles and Doodles
This is the best gift idea ever! Great job Julie!
This is precious! I teared up when I read the one from your mom. I definitely plan to steal this idea! 🙂
This is the most adorable gift idea I’ve ever seen! My dad turns 75 next year, maybe I’ll have to do something like this!
O.M.G. this is the sweetest thing ever!! You’re awesome!
Love this idea! How do you find the time?
This is such a thoughtful, unforgettable gift. What an awesome daughter you are! Happy 60th birthday to your dad!
What a great gift Julie!!! So thoughtful and sweet. You must have an amazing Dad.
Oh my gosh! What a wonderful and thoughtful present. I’m sure this goes down as one of the best presents ever.
Oh, gosh! I wish I had seen this last month – ha! My dad turned 62 and I COULD NOT think of anything to give him. He’s the hardest person to shop for (and my mom stole my gift idea)… maybe next year. 🙂
That is such an amazing gift! I’m sure he will always remember that!
Love love love this! So thoughtful and meaningful. Glad he liked! (who wouldn’t?) Planning to do something similar but video-style later this year 🙂
I SOO love that idea! I would love to do that for my dad for upcoming birthday/fathers day. How exactly did you format it on word to get them printed right?
This is a wonderful idea! We actually did a spin of this for my Grandma’s 60th birthday which was 16 years ago- my mom compiled letters and old photos and put them into a binder.
Then, two years ago, for my mom’s 50th- I made her a scrapbook with the same idea. She was so surprised by the people we were able to get in touch with from her “younger days”. We’ve moved twice and she was thrilled to get letters from her first boss from her first “real” job, co-workers from that job, high school friends and more. It is truly a tribute to the people in our lives and a wonderful way to tell them they are LOVED!
Great job, Julie!! I’m sure your dad loved this gift!
I love this idea! My husband is turning 60 in 3 weeks giving me just enough time to get this done. The first sentiment has just come in. Thank you for sharing!! It’s the perfect idea.
BEST GIFT EVERRRR!!!! I’D TOTALY CRY WATCHING HIM OPEN THEM, EVEN IF HE DIDN’T. I’M COOL & COLLECTED LIKE THAT.
Thank you SO much for this idea!! I stumbled across your blog yesterday by googling “60th birthday ideas”, leaving me finding this post. I wanted to do something special for my Mom for her 60th birthday which is coming up on August 21.
I just sent out the email to family, friends and co-workers and am already receiving wonderful responses! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
xx
Caleagh
This is so loving and creative of you…you have came up with the best gift idea. Anyone would love such a special and touchy gift.
Hi Julie!
I am making this for my mom’s 50th birthday and am beginning to put together the present as I just bought the supplies yesterday. I am really struggling with how to print on cardstock so if you could tell me how you did it, that would be great!!
Thanks so much!