Not a watch, but... 30th birthday present ideas?!
Not a watch, but... 30th birthday present ideas?!
Author
Discussion

ShortShift811

Original Poster:

650 posts

173 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
My 30th birthday is coming up in November, and I'm being asked what I'd like as a 'forever' present.

I already have the watch (decided to treat myself to a Speedy Pro last year and it's a keeper), so I'm thinking a nice pen, sterling silver cufflinks etc. Being born in 1983 there's not much I'd want by way of a birth year timepiece.

Floor open to learned PHers for other ideas and where I should look for such things?

In terms of budget, maybe around £100 - £150 for some s/s cufflinks and maybe up to £100 for a pen. Anything more would be a waste really, especially if I left it somewhere or lost it.

Also open to other suggestions as I think my total amount for such things might be stretched up to the £500 mark.

And.... go!

Hoofy

80,170 posts

313 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all

ShortShift811

Original Poster:

650 posts

173 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
/endthread thumbup

Hoofy

80,170 posts

313 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
biggrin

Short of a quality pen (Mont Blanc fountain pen) it's tricky - so much of today's stuff is throwaway. Perhaps a jacket of some kind? I hear that Barbours last and can look good with age? Look after your Barbour and your broomstick will look after you, Dave.

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

213 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
ShortShift811 said:
Hoofy said:
/endthread thumbup
I bought my mum that for her birthday last year. Pride of place in her very posh country kitchen now!

Have a look at some decent pens (Mont Blanc aren't the be all and end all), what other hobbies do you have? I bought myself the guitar I'd always wanted.

Hoofy

80,170 posts

313 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
I mean something like this: http://amzn.to/17g1LcA

Not a ballpoint version!

Wouldn't say no to this either: http://amzn.to/19voAK5

ShortShift811

Original Poster:

650 posts

173 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
HereBeMonsters said:
I bought myself the guitar I'd always wanted.
Not technically a present then though, is it? I could ask for contributions to something, but I think my folks want to actually buy me an individual gift that will remind me of them in years to come.

Over the last few years I've pretty much bought myself anything I've wanted / needed, to the point where buying me anything as a keepsake would be an extravagance.

A pen, cufflinks and a nice bottle of whisky seem to be the top 3 contenders at the moment. Or I may just suggest parents and in-laws contribute to a big family night out where we can all eat, drink and be merry.

I'm also getting married next year, but people have already contributed enough to that, and it seems to defy the point of a birthday present really.

Hoofy

80,170 posts

313 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
Another watch? You can never have too many.

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

213 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
ShortShift811 said:
Not technically a present then though, is it? I could ask for contributions to something, but I think my folks want to actually buy me an individual gift that will remind me of them in years to come.

Over the last few years I've pretty much bought myself anything I've wanted / needed, to the point where buying me anything as a keepsake would be an extravagance.

A pen, cufflinks and a nice bottle of whisky seem to be the top 3 contenders at the moment. Or I may just suggest parents and in-laws contribute to a big family night out where we can all eat, drink and be merry.

I'm also getting married next year, but people have already contributed enough to that, and it seems to defy the point of a birthday present really.
I did get a really nice pocket watch from the wife, but I left my parents to get me what they though would be nice. I told them I wanted something I could keep forever, maybe a nice cutthroat razor kit or something - They spent £125 on a bottle of absolutely horrible English whisky. So it doesn't always work out...

marcelg

150 posts

235 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
Mont Blanc do some very nice cufflinks

Example here (although would look for a UK seller).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-STAINLESS-STEEL-MON...

Should be able to get new for 100-150

Ali Chappussy

876 posts

176 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
Get a star or constellation named after you!

blindswelledrat

25,257 posts

263 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
It's difficult to get a "for life" memorable present for that kind of money.
I got a supercar day for my 21st and that is the only thing I can remember hence I would recommend something like that as memorable.
Actually I did also get a "forever watch" Ive just remembered but it turned out not to be forever as predictably at some time later I bought a far more expensive one.

ShortShift811

Original Poster:

650 posts

173 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
blindswelledrat said:
It's difficult to get a "for life" memorable present for that kind of money.
I got a supercar day for my 21st and that is the only thing I can remember hence I would recommend something like that as memorable.
Actually I did also get a "forever watch" Ive just remembered but it turned out not to be forever as predictably at some time later I bought a far more expensive one.
Yep, parents did the supercar day thing for my 21st too, and it's something I'll always remember. So perhaps going down the 'experience' route isn't a bad option - may have a look at what else I'd like and make some suggestions. A day out doing something fun* plus a family meal could actually be much more relevant and worthwhile.

  • Not coke & hookers. I'm not sure the old man's ticker is up to it. Or mine, come to think of it.

Hoofy

80,170 posts

313 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
HereBeMonsters said:
They spent 125 on a bottle of absolutely horrible English whisky.
What was it like? I didn't know there were English whiskies!

Fatrat

682 posts

222 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
Hoofy said:
Another watch? You can never have too many.
+1

You can have plenty of "keepers"!

yeti

10,704 posts

306 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
I'd go for some Dunhill cufflinks; get sone classy ones and you'll wear them forever.nThe range is huge but my best man bought me the classic steering wheel ones as a wedding gift.

Me likey muchly yes

rich85uk

4,389 posts

210 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
Do you have a nice watch box already? would be tempted with one that can store cufflinks and the nice pen:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dulwich-Designs-Heritage-B...

obviously you can spend more if you wish, how about a nice wallet? quite like the look of this brand at this price point but again you could spend more:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Visconti-Torino-Collection...



RobCh

151 posts

210 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
To take your thoughts onto a somewhat different tack, how about something like...



No gentleman should be without a good pocket knife, and there are plenty of Laguioles to choose from.

5LDC

443 posts

210 months

Hoofy

80,170 posts

313 months

Monday 7th October 2013
quotequote all
5LDC said:
And what the hell do you do with it?