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Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 10:18 AM

D-Dad has a major birthday coming up next month, and I have no idea what I should buy for him. I want it to be something that'll make his jaw drop. I wouldn't say that money is no object, but I'm willing to spend a bit on this. What do you guys suggest?

batmagadanleadoff Dec 07 2010 10:23 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

The Astrodome.

Edgy DC Dec 07 2010 10:25 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

themetfairy wrote: I want it to be something that'll make his jaw drop. You really shouldn't feed F-Man his setup lines so generously.

seawolf17 Dec 07 2010 10:28 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

I like the Astrodome idea, which is nice, but really far away. I say you donate money to the university of his choice; enough to, say, name a building after him.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 07 2010 10:30 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

She could jog to the Astrodome.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 07 2010 10:31 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Wifey is saving up to buy the Astrodome for me.

Fman99 Dec 07 2010 10:43 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Two words: assless pants. Throw in a few extra bucks and buy yourself a pair, too :)

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 10:44 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

I have to say I haven't thought of any of those options myself. But they lack a certain je ne sais quoi....

seawolf17 Dec 07 2010 10:47 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

You know, F-man was voted "Most Likely To Be Aware Of The Existence Of Assless Pants" in our senior year at Geneseo.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 07 2010 11:21 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

So what's it gonna be: The Astrodome or his and hers assless pants? I'm dyin' to find out.

HahnSolo Dec 07 2010 11:50 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

I'm sure you could fit assless pants and something else within your budget. If money is not an object, how about a mancave? I have no idea the layout of your house or if an extension would be necessary, but convert an existing room? Big screen tv, pool table, bar? Granted that is a lot.

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 12:30 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

That implies a commitment to the house. And I want to move back to New York at some point. Money is something of an object; I want to buy him something substantial, but the limit kicks in well below sky level.

metirish Dec 07 2010 12:37 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Is he a gadget guy?, an iPad?.....a trip to Europe....without you :)

Edgy DC Dec 07 2010 12:40 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

A golfer? A hunter? A lover of classic cars? A fisherman? An adventurer? An oarsman? A sailor? A bowler? An aesthete? An art appreciater? A martial artist?

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 01:08 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Not a gadget guy. He is a golfer. But I already asked him about golf gear, and he's happy with his current clubs and other gear.

Edgy DC Dec 07 2010 01:16 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

But would he like... A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TOUR OF THE GREAT COURSES OF SCOTLAND!!

Valadius Dec 07 2010 01:19 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

A watch perhaps?

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 01:23 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Edgy DC wrote: But would he like... A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TOUR OF THE GREAT COURSES OF SCOTLAND!! Scheduling such a trip on an average year would be difficult. Scheduling such a trip on a year that corresponds with our daughter's college graduation and our son's high school graduation would be hellish.

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 01:24 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Valadius wrote: A watch perhaps? I bought him a watch for our 25th wedding anniversary....

seawolf17 Dec 07 2010 01:30 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

A better watch, then.

seawolf17 Dec 07 2010 01:31 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Actually, who wears a watch any more? Don't you people have cell phones? Watches are for old people.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 07 2010 01:36 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Time machine built out of DeLorean.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 07 2010 01:38 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Time machine built out of DeLorean. I'm sorry for suggesting The Astrodome. If TMF gets the Dome out from under you, I don't know how I can ever make that up.

G-Fafif Dec 07 2010 02:15 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Just over a year ago, the Silverdome could have been had for a veritable song.

HahnSolo Dec 07 2010 03:24 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Mets Fantasy Camp?

themetfairy Dec 07 2010 03:27 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

HahnSolo wrote: Mets Fantasy Camp? I would love to send him there. He doesn't want to go. I have told him that he'd look great in a Mets uniform. He said the offer was more about my fantasies than his.

seawolf17 Dec 07 2010 07:14 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

I was actually going to suggest that as a realistic option, but I figured that'd be out of the price range. If he doesn't want to go, you can send me. My 35th birthday is in March.

Ceetar Dec 07 2010 07:21 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

seawolf17 wrote: I was actually going to suggest that as a realistic option, but I figured that'd be out of the price range. If he doesn't want to go, you can send me. My 35th birthday is in March. My 29th is in March. I'm just entering my prime! 35 is over the hill! I played 2B in little league, and you know that's what the Mets need! Video camera? kinda gadgety, but useful gadgety..

Ashie62 Dec 07 2010 07:37 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

K-Y Intrigue?

bmfc1 Dec 08 2010 11:35 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Golf lessons with a local pro?

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 11:52 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

bmfc1 wrote: Golf lessons with a local pro? That's a concept. Maybe for our anniversary in May. This is a major birthday - I want the gift to be something truly special.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 08 2010 12:02 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

This is more really little, but... Custom action figures of D-Dad and the fam?

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 12:08 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: This is more really little, but... Custom action figures of D-Dad and the fam? If he were at all into action figures, that would be cool. I don't think it's quite his thing, though. If I'd have know of this before my daughter's 21st, I might have splurged on one for her; she loves things like that.

Gwreck Dec 08 2010 12:40 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

You mentioned that travel scheduling was an impediment; does that apply specifically to the hypothetical golf trip or for all travel generally? In my experience, the "once-in-a-lifetime" or "jaw dropping" gifts usually fall into the following categories: 1. Travel (ie. to a special place or somewhere they've never been to before); 2. Things (Fancy jewelry, clothing, electronics, cars, etc.) 3. Experiences (You-drive-the-NASCAR; skydiving; celebrity outings, etc.). Tougher to plan, and may require big bucks but there are a lot of different sort of things out there. Example: 2 tickets to a SNL taping and an invitation to the "exclusive" cast after-party. A lot of these things have the added benefit of giving the $$ to charity too. 4. "Ordinary" things taken to the Nth degree. You take something or an experience that you love and for the special occasion, go all-out so as to make it unforgettable. Example: Obviously D-Dad loves going to games at Citi Field. But has he sat in Delta Club Platinum Seats, dined at the Delta Club restaurant beforehand, and been chauffeured there in a limo? Or had 14 of his closest friends join him in a luxury suite?

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 01:04 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Excellent ideas Gwreck. The hypothetical golf trip has appeal, but the scheduling would be dicey. And I couldn't schedule it without his input, which would kill any surprise value (and make it more of a pre-discussed event as opposed to something with which I can surprise him). The ordinary item taken to the Nth degree is something that I'd love, but it's not really his kind of thing, unfortunately. A great Thing would be ideal, but the right Experience could also work (although the SNL experience is a bit beyond my budget).

Ashie62 Dec 08 2010 02:24 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

The waiting list for Pebble Beach, a public course, is 6 months right now. Not as expensive as many think.

seawolf17 Dec 09 2010 09:21 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Gwreck wrote: Or had 14 of his closest friends join him in a luxury suite? I know where you can find 14 friends!

themetfairy Dec 09 2010 09:56 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

Friends isn't the issue ;)

themetfairy Dec 20 2010 11:28 AM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

I gave up on trying to surprise him. Instead we went shopping the other day, and I bought him a battery-operated blender that he had been eying since the summer. And for Valentine's Day (which is more like an extended birthday, at least as far as the present-buying goes this year) I'll buy him a portable generator. If y'all thought he puts on a great tailgate party, you ain't seen nothing yet ;)

metsguyinmichigan Dec 20 2010 12:26 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Wifey is saving up to buy the Astrodome for me. I went there last year. Sneaked inside. I looks like they're letting it go without maintenance, which is a shame. That said, Kevin would like it.

themetfairy Dec 20 2010 01:04 PM Re: Ideas for D-Dad's Birthday

metsguyinmichigan wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Wifey is saving up to buy the Astrodome for me. I went there last year. Sneaked inside. I looks like they're letting it go without maintenance, which is a shame. That said, Kevin would like it. I'll save that one for the 50th wedding anniversary gift ;)