Many years ago, I was celebrating a birthday (don't ask me what year). I had invited 20 people to dinner at a gourmet Manhattan restaurant (Maxim's). My guests could order from the entire menu (for all I cared) and I placed no limitations on cost (it was one of those milestone birthday celebrations). 

As my guests arrived, they all showed up with little party bags - tissue paper overflowing. There were gift bags from Macy's, J. Crew, Polo and Versace.

Dinner was great (three hours long) and dessert was even better with a surprise birthday cake and way too many candles.

When it was time to open the presents, I savored the opening of every gift bag and box. However, one bag (which I saved opening until the very end) was that "beautiful blue bag" that only Tiffany could capture.

In fact, I could not wait to open all the packages, as I just kept thinking "what could possibly be in that Tiffany gift bag".

The excitement was building and building, as the "bag line" slowly decreased. My little blue Tiffany bag was coming up!

As my best friend smiled and handed me the Tiffany bag, I probably smiled way too much and everyone at the table was like "I should have gone to Tiffany's to pick him up something Tiffany". I reached into my blue Tiffany bag - being careful to fold up the bag to ensure its "keepsake" value.

I reached down into the bag and slowly pulled out the little blue box. Boy, it was little but, who knows what could be inside, as Tiffany creates so many great things that the old saying "big things comes in little packages" holds true where Tiffany is concerned.

The little blue box slowly emerges. I move my coffee cup and cake plate to my left, fork and spoon to my right and place that little blue box right in front me. I slipped off the ribbon, opened the box and I was met with a little piece of cotton, cut perfectly square. Dare I pick up the cotton? My heart was pounding and I felt beads of sweat on my forehead forming, as I pondered what I might reveal. I thought, men's diamond ring or bracelet but, threw out the notion of a watch, as the box was way too small.

As I lifted the piece of cotton, the light overhead hit the piece just right and sent brilliant rays in various directions. I was blinded momentarily however, regained my composure and gently lifted out...

A Tiffany Key Chain with my Initials!

Smiles all the way around from the other guests followed by comments such as; "oh, a key chain, I didn't know Tiffany made key chains" followed by, "is it sterling or white gold?" followed by, "what a unique gift, why didn't I think of that" followed by, "will all your keys fit on such a small key chain?".

Was I disappointed? The simple answer would "NO". After all, it was Tiffany. I got the little blue box treatment, the little blue bag and the Tiffany name (now) dangling along side my keys.

You see, that's the point of sharing this story with our readers. Tiffany is NOT about what's inside, it's all about "anticipation" of what "could be" inside.

I had never shopped in a Tiffany store until after my birthday, as I always thought Tiffany was just to darn expensive. When I walked into my first Tiffany store I was welcomed like a "king" and ushered to a counter, which offered me all sorts of gift ideas (for myself) and others, at prices I could afford.

In fact, I purchased a Tiffany Silver Spoon for my newborn nephew, as I could write a little Tiffany note reminding William that he was born with a Tiffany Silver Spoon in his mouth.

This is why the Tiffany brand is so recognized and coveted. This is also why their stock has gone through the roof, as Tiffany learned (early on) that they have to be "everything" to "everybody".

I have another birthday coming up on September 20th so, anyone I know who's reading this just might want to think "Tiffany Blue" this year