This is a month for birthdays, the youngest being aged 6. I won't embarrass the others at the upper end of the scale.
My sister-in-law is the first one of the month and is a Valentine's baby; we focus on the birthday. I have a large book for her which will take some concentrated reading; that shouldn't be a problem as she is a keen reader. I don't normally buy books for people, but the one chosen is a big hitter and I thought I'd risk it. There are one or two other gift items to join the book.
A good friend has a birthday two days later; She's into arts and craft, gardening and croft farming. I found a lovely large box of threads and universal sewing machine accessories. I had put by some delightful sets of chopsticks in raffia cases as well. However, I am going to look at a couple of pieces of handmade pottery tomorow from a range I know she likes, then decide if the chopsticks set off the pottery.
The youngest one was relatively easy, I found just the thing to annoy her parents when I was on my travels in December 2005 - a bubble blower and all the bubbles come out of a big box that requires a very strong bubbling solution. 
Hubby is next: for the first time ever, I have been low on ideas. I have booked for us to go out for a meal with a couple of friends, but that is nearly a week before the birthday so I have to dream up something for the day itself. I have one or two token items and tonight I got some inspiration online and ordered a large road atlas to replace the tiddly little thing that he has in the car. The road atlas he has is one of those with a spiral spine which cuts through the very bit of road you want to travel through, every time, without fail. Even he has some expletive moments with it. It has got to go! Anyway, it is more than three years old. As a last resort, I think I shall have to consider one of the standard standby items - a thermal vest. Now how exciting is that... 
