Pandora - the Perfect Gift for Birthdays - Just Add a Charm to Your Bracelet

My first encounter with the Pandora bracelet was when a work colleague casually mentioned that they were going to buy one for an impending bride as a hens party gift. That way everyone could just purchase a charm to continue the theme. She also mentioned how expensive the bracelets were.

I remember thinking 'not a bad idea but I probably couldn't afford one'.

About four months later another work colleague was showing me her bracelert. She explained how every charm had a little story. That's when I really became interested. Although the cost was still an issue with me, she had explained that you could get cheaper versions but that they broke very easily and weren't as nice.

That set me on the track of thinking 'okay this might be a wonderful gift for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter'.

On my next meeting with my elder son's fiancee. I started to tell her about the Pandora bracelet. She promptly dashed my brilliant idea because she already owned one. Not to be disheartened we managed to have an enthusiastic discussion for at least an hour on the pros and cons of the pandora. On conclusion I reminded myself of the fact that my brilliant gift idea would still be valid for my daughter- in- law and granddaughter as to my delight Melissa did get plenty of enjoyment out of hers.

Another month passed and my fiftieth birthday came around. As much as I had admired the Pandora I hadn't even thought of one for myself, me not really being a big fan of jewelry for myself. I opened a gift and to my surprise there was this gorgeous little bag in which a Pandora bracelet resided. With two charms. I fell in love with it instantly.

My first charm was a big cake to represent my 50th birthday, and the other was a ball with orange gems and an image of a fish on it. I was told that this was to remind me of the time that we all went fishing at Donnybrook for my eldest son's 31st birthday.

I now had another reason to love the Pandora. It represented a time line with reminders for fond memories associated with every bauble. And as every fifty something female will know the memory does need a little help now and then.

I have since learned that the charms with gold bits added are highly valued. My cake has a gold tip with exquisite detail worked in silver on each layer and a finely etched heart on the bottom as well.

Birthday charms can be designated for the occasion or you can just pick a charm that would mean something to you and the gift recipient.

So I went to work wearing my Pandora and a lovely string of pearls that I had also received. Every time that I handed change out my Pandora invoked fond memories. Thus I now own the gift that keeps on giving, a gift that is perpetual. I had pleasant memories all day as my eye caught the gleam from my little charms.

On Mother's Day I received another charm. This time it was a silver soccer ball with blue gems. A card accompanied the gift stating that the charm was to remind and thank me for all the times that I took the boys to soccer throughout the years. So now I have three charms and a string of memories.

I can't wait to receive my next charm and I'm really excited about all the possibilities for further memos. To make things even better I now have an item which can be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom. I just hope that my granddaughter will have as much enjoyment out of my pandora as I will of had.

What a Pandora's Box has been opened now, but with my "Pandora Australia " .

After a while you will have collected quite a few memory charms. You will now need to make sure you don't lose them, so a safety chain is mandatory.

On my bracelet are three charms that mean the world to me. I would be extremely sad if I lost them. They are the last gifts that I had received from my eldest son, who died the same year that he had given me the bracelet.

As previously mentioned on Mother's Day 2010 I received a blue stoned soccer ball charm along with a letter from my eldest son. He passed away unexpectedly five months later. He was 31. The safety chain was the next item that I bought for my Pandora.