Research

• 1). Choose a place to buy the dog tags. Many online stores carry them, like DogTagsOnline.com and DogTagsDirect.com. You may also find them locally at a jewelery store. This popular item comes in many grades, shapes, sizes and materials. Based on your budget, decide if you'd like stainless steel, sterling silver or another material. Sometimes tags are lined in a finer metal like sterling silver, but the core is a cheaper metal. Decide if you don't mind this type of tag, or if you'd like solid silver or stainless steel. If the receiver will be wearing the tags often, it's a good idea to invest in a metal that will not turn her skin green.
  
  
• 2). Decide what message you'd like engraved on the tags and in what style. Most retailers will have you choose from a selection of engraving fonts. Since the tags are for a birthday celebration, you may want to commemorate it by having the birthday boy's age or the date written on the tags, or perhaps by writing a birthday message.
  
  
• 3). Compare prices, and don't forget to include shipping and gift wrapping, if those services are offered. Before you purchase anything, look at any available independent reviews of the retailer's products. If you purchase tags on eBay, be sure to buy from a seller with high feedback. Retailers designated as "eBay Trusted Sellers" are deemed very reliable sellers who consistently offer quality products.
  
  
• 4). Choose a chain for your dog tags, if they didn't come with one. Often, retailers will sell chains in addition to the tags, which can help you save on shipping costs. Otherwise, take into consideration chain length and weight. You want it to be the appropriate size for the tags, and for the recipient.
  
  
• 5). Gift-wrap the tags and chain when you receive them, if it hasn't been done by the seller. You may also want to send the gift directly to the birthday girl. If you do this, order the tags well in advance of her birthday to assure they arrive on time. Package tracking may also be available, depending on the retailer's shipping method.