# 50th Birthday Gift Idea **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50th-birthday-gift-idea/624161 "2012-06-05T15:21:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NGC2024](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@NGC2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NGC2024)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50th-birthday-gift-idea/624161/1 "2012-06-05T15:21:37Z")
Greetings. I am desperate for thoughtful gift ideas for a friend. And since all evidence points to me being thoughtless since I can’t think of a single meaningful gift, I am turning to you so that I can take credit for your thoughtful gift ideas. I wanted to buy a bottle of 50 year old scotch, which I thought was a brilliant and unique idea, but I discovered that not only is it a popular idea, the prices for bottles of 50 year old scotch range from $500 to $17,000 USD. So that idea has been discarded, sadly. I am still considering a 50 year old bottle of wine, but that is quite a bit less meaningful since my friend drinks scotch. See above reference to the perfect, out of my price range gift. My friend has several young boys and is very active in their lives and in their sporting events. He swims and exercises regularly and participates in various sporting challenges, etc. He watches a lot of movies. For context, I am a woman and this friend is a man I am dating. And I want to do something super meaningful, yet I am at a loss. Thanks for any help you are able to provide! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50th-birthday-gift-idea/624161/2 "2012-06-05T15:42:44Z")
Though it seems appealing to find something that focuses on the number 50, I suggest don’t get hung up on that. It’s sorta cute, but it can be a bit trite, and as you’re seeing it can be limiting. My thought is to get him a really nice bottle of scotch. Chances are he doesn’t normally drink the 50 year old stuff, so he’d appreciate something more affordable that’s still a classy item. If it’s appropriate for the personalities involved, you could joke along the lines of “I hear 50 year old guys like 18 year olds, so here you go [present 18 year old scotch], and this one won’t be playing Justin Bieber all the time.” ---
**Author:** ![NGC2024](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f475e1/32.png) [@NGC2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NGC2024)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50th-birthday-gift-idea/624161/3 "2012-06-05T15:46:52Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Though it seems appealing to find something that focuses on the number 50, I suggest don’t get hung up on that. It’s sorta cute, but it can be a bit trite, and as you’re seeing it can be limiting. > > My thought is to get him a really nice bottle of scotch. Chances are he doesn’t normally drink the 50 year old stuff, so he’d appreciate something more affordable that’s still a classy item. > > If it’s appropriate for the personalities involved, you could joke along the lines of “I hear 50 year old guys like 18 year olds, so here you go [present 18 year old scotch], and this one won’t be playing Justin Bieber all the time.” OMG that is a great idea. I just love it. Thank you so much. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50th-birthday-gift-idea/624161/4 "2012-06-05T15:54:28Z")
My pleasure. And remember, it was your idea. I just helped tweak the details.