As a child I was always the one with the birthday in the summer holiday.
My parents had to whip round all my friends' houses to drop their party invite through their door, whilst we sat hoping at least someone would turn up and not quite everyone would be off on summer holidays somewhere sunnier than Preston.
What it also meant, however, was days and days with grandparents hand-making party treats and decorations ourselves because of the extra time we had on our hands.
That legacy lives on and I just can't get enough of handmade birthdays.
The good news is you can save yourself the effort because I've done all your homework, and someone else has made the gifts for you!Milly and Pip produce some gorgeous personalised pictures featuring your child's initial and an image that starts with the same letter. For example their D is for Digger... and also for Dylanexample is a real sweetie.
Half an Acrecreates simple, beautiful wooden objects that will set children's imaginations free, from lizards and fish, through skull and cross bones, to tool kits and tea sets.
Mini-Ubrings some affordable chic Swedish handmade toys, decor and accessories to the UK. I have my eye on the lockable treasure chest and small items of star furniture.
Kitschycookidsmakes some of the most adorable handmade party frocks and rather swish jackets I have had the pleasure of perusing. If one of those outfits doesn't get the girls giddy on their birthday I don't know what will.
In good old fashioned traditional style, someone somewhere will always want a ragdoll or cuddly toy. Daisy Daisy offer eco-friendly, fairly traded handmade ragdolls and fluffy animals to bring a smile and a cuddle to birthday boys and girls everywhere.
I wonder if we ever get too old for toys?