# Ultra Creative Birthday gifts?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 19, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224 "2003-05-19T12:49:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/1 "2003-05-19T12:49:30Z")
OK I have till Friday to come up with an ultra creative birthday present for Mrs.Phlosphr. My summer begins today! So I have all the time in the world. I graduated off another class this weekend and I don’t have to teach summer session. I have all the time in the world. It’s time for a fantastic Birthday Gift for my lovely wife, who put up with seeing the Matrix yesterday!! Any thoughts ladies and gents? She likes to be pampered, would love a day at the spa, but I want something tangible. Something really cool. Hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Rapunzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Rapunzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapunzel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/2 "2003-05-19T12:55:49Z")
OK. How much are you thinking of spending? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/3 "2003-05-19T13:02:56Z")
Under $500 USD I’d like, but am not tied to this. Whatcha think’in? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/4 "2003-05-19T13:04:06Z")
The very coolest gift Mr. Kalhoun ever gave me was a hot air balloon ride. It cost $125 and you get champagne afterwards. We are in the Chicago area, but I’m sure there’s a balloon port somewhere near you. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/5 "2003-05-19T13:27:42Z")
hmm thats not a bad idea at all. There are balloon ports near us on Nantucket, and Martha’s Vinyard. We did that 5 years ago in AZ and Mrs.Phlosphr loved it. But that was with another couple and this will definitely be by ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/6 "2003-05-19T16:54:51Z")
Ladies, what do you think about the whole 'husband cooking dinner, laying out roses etc…etc… thing? ---
**Author:** ![Rapunzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Rapunzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapunzel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/7 "2003-05-19T17:40:33Z")
As you’ve got a bit of time, how about something planted for her, like some Old Roses, a delicious fragrant jasmine wall, or a Bay Tree, or, and this would be really fabulous, a Fig Tree? (a warm fresh fig straight off the tree is a very sensuous morsel indeed 🙂 As for the husband cooking dinner & roses thing, if you’re keen in the kitchen, then yeah! If it’s going to be a stress and a worry for you, then take her out. Either way, it sounds like the lady has a gem of a chap, to be making such an effort. Good on ya! ---
**Author:** ![Rapunzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Rapunzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapunzel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/8 "2003-05-19T17:47:07Z")
As you’ve got a bit of time, how about something planted for her, like some Old Roses, a delicious fragrant jasmine wall, or a Bay Tree, or, and this would be really fabulous, a Fig Tree? (a warm fresh fig straight off the tree is a very sensuous morsel indeed 🙂 As for the husband cooking dinner & roses thing, if you’re keen in the kitchen, then yeah! If it’s going to be a stress and a worry for you, then take her out. Either way, it sounds like the lady has a gem of a chap, to be making such an effort. Good on ya! ---
**Author:** ![Rapunzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Rapunzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapunzel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/9 "2003-05-19T17:54:44Z")
As you’ve got a bit of time, how about something planted for her, like some Old Roses, a delicious fragrant jasmine wall, or a Bay Tree, or, and this would be really fabulous, a Fig Tree? (a warm fresh fig straight off the tree is a very sensuous morsel indeed 🙂 As for the husband cooking dinner & roses thing, if you’re keen in the kitchen, then yeah! If it’s going to be a stress and a worry for you, then take her out. Either way, it sounds like the lady has a gem of a chap, to be making such an effort. Good on ya! ---
**Author:** ![Rapunzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Rapunzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rapunzel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/10 "2003-05-19T17:58:56Z")
oh blimey why does this happen ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/11 "2003-05-20T07:28:03Z")
this is something small, but kind of along Rapunzel’s post. Do you have a big tree in your yard? I know I would get a kick out of it if Mr. Babs carved our initials into it, a la cartoons. As for the whole dinner thing, I could take or leave it. Some random ideas: What about a train trip somwhere? One of those cool trains with the beds in them? What about renting a billboard? Season tickets to somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/12 "2003-05-20T07:36:20Z")
Maybe you could surprise her by kidnapping her and whisking her off to some romantic inn? Or would that be too much? I agree with **Rapunzel**. Unless you’re a gourmand and cooking is your thing, then I think maybe take her out to dinner instead. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/13 "2003-05-20T12:31:56Z")
WOW! **Bads** -\> carving our names in a tree surrounded by a heart is a wonderful Idea!!! We have several old growth oaks on our property what would not mind the slight intrusion and would grow nicely still. I am actually quite good in the kitchen and outdoors on the grill. So I was thinking Top Tenderloin stuffed with Chevre/spinach/chives with twice backed potato, asparagus etc…etc… And then an evening jaunt to said tree to see our names… Am I waaay too sappy or what? Thanks **Rapunzel** I like the idea of planting something as well, maybe a small douglas fir, or something that will grow for along while. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/14 "2003-05-20T14:02:26Z")
I think it would be a fun idea, too. However… you must, by copyright laws, give me credit in 50 pt lettering on said tree. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![thatDDperson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@thatDDperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatDDperson)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/15 "2003-05-21T05:55:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\*Ladies, what do you think about the whole 'husband cooking dinner, laying out roses etc…etc… thing? \*\* Is there a florist nearby? One of my favorite customers (I am a florist) is this guy that buys odd vases for his wife, then brings them in periodically to have a few flowers put in them. He got a bud vase at a garage sale that we do one rose in (it happened to be antique crystal, for which he paid a quarter), and there’s an old silver vase that we put freesia or tulips in. Get to know a local florist and let them help you do something small on a regular basis. We call it putting goodwill in the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Capcha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Capcha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capcha)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/16 "2003-05-21T06:19:17Z")
leave her a message at home with a key. The message is to go to the nearest shopping mall, and the key is of one of the lockers there (does your nearest shopping mall have those?) once arrived there and opened the locker, have a little gift or the first part of the gift in there, with a little poem (optional–\>not completed) with another key of another locker (btw, don’t forget to say where that locker is, so she wouldn’t get frustrated) the second locker, have another gift…and poem ending, etc…or make message that she should get home. You, by that time have made whatever plans at home…like that tree idea… ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/17 "2003-05-21T11:46:42Z")
A guy planning ahead for a present? Philosphr, you are a credit to the male species. **What I’d like to receive as a gift: By Shirley Ujest** A day at the spa Maid Service once a month. Car Detailing Home Organizing service Sewing lessons All of the above. Another nice idea would be a plant (roses come to mind, but they are a pain in the ass to maintain, they are needy attention whoring plants, YMMV) in the garden that you could give as an enduring timeless love kinda gift. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/18 "2003-05-21T12:21:53Z")
WOW!! All really good ideas! I think **Shirley** hit it on the head though. I am going to create some gift certificates for a day at the spa, a car detailing, a free dinner and clean up and of course an inhome massage. I’m still going to carve our names though… ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/19 "2003-05-21T17:21:23Z")
Less than twenty USD. Go to the store and get one of those large matted photo frames that have spaces for all sorts of photos. Go to your photo album, put photos of you as a child in half the slots. Put a wedding picture in the largest slot. Give it to her so she can put photos of herself as child in the remaining slots. Prepare to have your bones jumped. ---
**Author:** ![Peg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Peg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peg)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224/20 "2003-05-21T17:35:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\*WOW!! All really good ideas! I think **Shirley** hit it on the head though. I am going to create some gift certificates for a day at the spa, a car detailing, a free dinner and clean up and of course an inhome massage. I’m still going to carve our names though… \*\* I made Mr. Peg-To-Be a really cheesy coupon book for a past Valentine’s Day. I didn’t have a lot of time/money to shop for a present so I cut up colored index cards, drew little stick figures on the cards to symbolize each activity like: Dinner + Take-out Movie One Sports Event One Shoot-em-up action movie and tied it all together with a (very manly-looking) ribbon. As cheesy as I thought it was, he seemed to really like it. Especially the one for a massage with the totally-accidental porno-looking stick people. Word of caution: don’t forget things like “one per coupon” and expiration dates or you’re stuck watching chick flicks (or in my case: testosterone flicks) for the rest of your life based on one measley piece paper that isn’t your marriage license. Then again, Mr. Peg-to-Be is a lawyer, so there you go. (Damn you, Michael Bay!) Sorry, but I’m cringing a little at carving your initials into a tree. It’s really sweet, but please make sure that the tree can handle it. I’ve seen trees (like alders) die because of graffiti. I know one initial carving won’t kill it, but still, I worry about the tree. Oh, and since you want something _tangible_, and because I can’t let this one go: How about… **a kitty**! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultra-creative-birthday-gifts/176224.md?page=2)