Hi GA Community and Happy New Year to all.

My question is: What could I get for my dear male friend who will turn
51 years old on January 17th?

I've never been very good at gift ideas and this one has me stumped:(

Here are a few facts about him:

- Not into sports of any kind
- Doesn't really * need * anything
- Likes going to casinos and playing blackjack
- Loves music of any type except C & W
- Likes to travel
- Not into religion

Other stats:

-He is a professional who works from home
-Lives alone
-Is very sociable

I've been racking my brain out for a great gift idea. I was thinking
of mabe a weekend get-away but its so yuck and brrr here in Ontario
Canada at this time of year. We already went on a trip to Niagara
Falls this past November.

I have not set a price limit but not too much $$$$. A few hundred at most.

Any ideas to help this poor lady come up with the perfect present?

Just ask if you need more information on him and his likes.

Thanks,

Steph53

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Clarification of Question by steph53-ga on 02 Jan 2005 17:01 PST

I'm leaning more along the lines of a weekend gettaway.

But, through all my searches of places close to Toronto, nothing comes up...

A romantic weekend gettaway....I dunno...

I can't find anything.

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Clarification of Question by steph53-ga on 03 Jan 2005 14:53 PST

Thanks for your responses so far.

Leapinglizard.... I don't think he is the bathrobe type. I've never
seen him in one. Usually in the morning he just runs around in his
underwear ;)

Silver ( Phil )... I like the idea of the birthday newspaper! I'm
going to poke around the site to see what its all about. Oh....and its
not "platonic" :)

Probonopublico ( Bryan ).....*Tsk*, *tsk*, *tsk*. Whatever are we
going to do with you?

Hardhat.....Heheheheh...

Googlenut... That place sounds lovely but Algonquin Park is over three
hours north and in the dead of winter, it can be hard to predict rode
conditions.

Any other ideas would be well appreciated. The Researcher ( notice
Bryan? Not researcher wannabes...heheh )who gives me an idea I will
use, can post as an answer.

Thanks,

Steph53

Hi, Steph!

Does this man enjoy reading? If so, a first edition or autographed
copy of a book by one of his favorite authors would be a great gift.

I just remembered something. A friend of mine gave her hubby a great
gift last Christmas: a half-day at a men's spa. The sybaritic
pleasures of being massaged, pedicured, and coddled were muchly
appreciated by the guy, and he came home smelling great and ready for
some smoochin'.

Hi Pink....

No he doesn't read at all....

I was thinking of the spa thing too, but I'm not sure he'd go for it.
You know how some people are about massages, etc. from strangers. I
haven't been to a spa myself because I'm not sure I'd like a strange
person to touch me :(

Thanks for the ideas though :)

If he enjoys wine or brandy or other alcoholic fare, you might
consider getting him an attractive decanter and/or some nice
glassware. He would think of you every time he pours a glass of his
favorite beverage.

A day at the spa is the sort of thing a man pretends to enjoy only
because a woman is so eager for him to like it. The truth is this: to
a manly man, there is nothing good about a spa.

One thing men do enjoy is sitting around the house in a bathrobe, so
you could buy him a truly fine bathrobe, a bathrobe such as few men
will ever own. This is the sort of indulgence men are reluctant to buy
for themselves.

Men also like to imagine themselves standing athwart the earth, a
fantasy you can help to promote with the gift of a globe. Several
hundred bucks will buy you a top-quality desktop globe or a decent
freestanding model. Not only does a globe look good in any setting,
but a man will enjoy spinning it in search of new lands to conquer.

leapinglizard

Hi Steph,

How about a deck of cards representing his age, minus one card - the
Queen of Hearts held by you?

Or perhaps something on RFK jr.

http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1954/january_17_1954_115343.html

An original newspaper of the day. Coins and stamps of 1954. 

Phil

Spend the money at Victoria's Secret if as you say he doesn't need
anything this will be what he wants. (get a stick on bow)

Hey Steph,

I should respectfully ask: Platonic or Romantic?

Phil

Thanky you fer a ver intressing kwestion.

Aving serched evrywer I kan tel u that ...

A drum will take a lot of beating.  

Below you will find that I have carefully not defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may not be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any questions
about my research please post a comment before complaining to the Editors.
Otherwise, I welcome your approval and your final comments
and I look forward to working with you again in the near future. Thank
you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;

Probonopublico ? NOT a Google Answers Researcher (YET)

Hi Steph,

This place looks nice.


Bear Trail Couples Resort
http://www.couplesresort.ca/


Toronto.com
Bear Trail Couples Resort
http://www.toronto.com/profile/311272/?context=accommodations


Googlenut

I once gave a rather expensive wine as a birthday gift. It was wine
that was made the same year my friend was born.

It's not difficult to locate a 1954 vintage.

Hey.  I was just wondering if he is into electronics.

Steph35 --

For someone who entertains a lot:
*  a case of wine
*  fromage of the month:
http://www.cheesemonthclub.com/
*  fresh cut flowers every week for a year (check a local florist)

For something entirely different: a flying lesson.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

A year?s subscription to ?Viz?. That was my sister?s solution for my birthday.

Best

How about one of those Name a Star certificates?  I gave one to a
friend a few years ago.  If you decide on a globe, you could always do
one of those beautiful gemstone globes.