I have recently met a guy and it’s developing into a somewhat serious relationship. I really like him and he really likes me. The words “i love you” have been spoken.
Anyway, his birthday is coming up in a few months and I want to give him something really special, sentimental. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but cost isn’t really an issue. Any ideas on what a gay guy should give his partner for a birthday present?
Eric
The most important words in your post are “birthday is coming up in a few months.” As you probably know, a month can be a very long time in a developing relationship. What I mean is, you may have a very good idea what to give him when you are closer to his B-day.
Having said that, I have this idea that birthday presents should be indulgent. Don’t buy something useful. No bathrobes. No nice shirts, etc. I always thought it would be neat to get a pedicure and a manicure. I wonder if they have those “day of beauty” type things for men. Massage, various 'cures, various good things to the skin, etc.
Books are great this early in a relationship because you can find something that really shows how you’ve come to know him, and you can write something ridiculously sentimental on the inside cover. Then, if things work out and you settle down and have kids and house and a picket fence, then someday your grandkids will pull the book off the shelf and read what Grandpa wrote Pappy all those years ago and think it sweet. Alternativly, if the relationship dies a natural civil death in a few months or years, it’s still a nice keepsake of an important event, and if he Does You Wrong, it will linger as a reminder of his guilt everytime he sees it on the shelf. Lastly, if you do HIM wrong, expect to have it thrown at you.
Hmmm. Cost isn’t an issue? Why the hell aren’t there any straight guys like you out there? 
Well, what are his hobbies?
Paintball? Archery? Basketball? Art? Does he play an instrument? If he’s into, oh, I dunno, say, surfing, why not a surfboard that has a cool design on it that you picked out or designed yourself?
Something hobby-related that he’s been lusting over but has given up hope of having because it’s too expensive.
If things are hot and heavy in a few months, you could design a piece of jewelry for him (I’d go with a bracelet or necklace for now). Jewelers can help you do that, btw, in case you’re not good at drawing. I personally wouldn’t engrave anything on it, though. The idea of a gift is for the recipient to enjoy it forever, no matter what happens to the relationship. If you were to break up, it’s going to go in the trash if your name and his are engraved on it. Make it personal, of course, but something nice he could wear even if things between you two don’t work out.
Then a kickass vacation somewhere is always cool. A cruise? If you booked now you could probably get some great deals on airfare.
I think it’s because the good ones are all gay. Or at least a significant percentage thereof! 
My husband and I have been together a total of 13 years, and it only gets harder to think of cool gifts. Two years ago, he gave me a gift certificate for a day of instruction at a NASCAR track and the chance to drive a real Winston Cup car. We spent the whole day together, and it was much more memorable than flowers or candy. Happy memories together are priceless, and contribute to the cement that keeps you together!
So for his birthday, I gave him a gift certificate for sky diving. He’d never done that either, but had always wanted to, as I had always wanted to drive in NASCAR.
Gifts that create lasting good memories, that involve the partner, can’t miss! And they point out that you put a lot of thought into it, and that you listen to them and value their interests, which makes it special.
How about taking him on a charter fishing trip, or an unlimited day pass to the local go cart track, or a one day cooking seminar together (and then fix him a nice dinner afterward!)
Scopata Fuori
How about a blow job in public?
I like Manda Jo’s best of all. It works on every level.
LOL
No Jewelry and no clothes. IF you really really want to see him in a particular shirt/pants/whatever- then just buy him one. Not 'for" anything. Just becuase “I think you’d look hot/sexy/cool in this so I got you one”. Guys like that- but guys have long Proustian memories of getting clothes for Christmas and most of us never want anything like that again “for” an occasion. :eek:
You buy guys…toys. This includes hobby things, gadgets, and usually tools. Ok, I can see if he is into HobbyX and you find him a cool leather jacket with a pic of HobbyX on the back- that is pretty well out of "clothes-eww’ and into “toys- yay!!”
If he doesn’t have a specific hobby (or one where you can’t confidently buy something “cool”) then- A neat knife, a cool multitool, an expensive pair of sunglasses (Raybans, nothing too 'fashionable")- in other words- something he’d buy for himself but he won’t bring himself to spend the $$$ on it.
If he loves good port- then a bottle of port twice as expensive as what he has- same with singlemalt, etc.
A watch can combine “toys” and “jewelry” so some “swiss army” watch maybe or something along those lines. I saw this REALLY cool Swiss army watch that has three different light functions!!! 
A short FUN vacation also slips into “toys-yay!!”. If he still has a bit of innerchild, then Disney- or along those lines. Or a weekend trip to a nice hotel (on the beach?) with plenty of ooh-la-la, and a great dinner out.
Yes, indeed, if you want something really special, then a small inexpensive “toy” AND then a ribbon around your neck (“and anything you want me to do, dear”) can be a lot of fun for you both. If you can do massage- or even learn some few skills in a month or two- then a hour long hot oil massage followed by … isn’t bad either. (That small toy is still a good idea).
As for Spas- hmm, next B-day. Guys like spas if they have lots of long massages by female tech (nothing hanky panky is nessesary), saunas and any other kind of pampering by reasonable attractive females. Guys love being pampered (in a manly way, of course!). You could both go together even, for a weekend.
Note that I am considered a GREAT gift giver. I spoil my SO, and to a lesser extent, my freinds. I truly love giving cool presents. (I am no saint- i like getting them too!! 
)
Oh, and don’t waste a lot of time looking for “just the right card”. Most guys read them, think “that’s nice” and toss 'em in a drawer. In fact, you could skip a card, and most guys wouldn’t care (unless you are apart, then cards & letters are important!) Flowers? Eh, once in a while. After a great lovemaking session, delivered the next day to his work with “thanks for last nite!!!”- yes, that’d be nice. 
I am pretty sure Manda Jo is a female? Unless a guy is into a particular author or hobby and you happen to see a hardcover of either (and he already has lots of books at home) then- no. Sorry. 
A book by an author he likes is a good “going away on a busines trip” gift, however.
Are you saying that guys don’t like books? 
Every guy I’ve gone out with be happy to receive a good book. Though I agree that it’s isn’t a things-are-getting-serious-and-I-want-to-show-you-how-special-you-are-to-me gift.
No, guys do like books. It’s just that for some guys books bring back the same sort of Proustian bad flashbacks as clothes. I did say that a book by a favorite author(or on a sepcial subject) or for someone who is an avid reader would be fine. But not for a casual reader.
An album, a bottle of whiskey and a blow job.