matrips Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 We are invited to a friends 50th birthday party that they are having at a casual restaurant (private room). What would you bring? How much to spend if gift card? His wife sent out an email saying he doesn't need anything but gift cards to things/places he like would appreciated. She sent this out to the invite list, apparently because some people asked what to bring. Dh and I are invited, no kids. Reminds me I still need a get a sitter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripley Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Before I lived in Texas, I would have brought a great bottle of wine or high-end scotch or something I know he'd like/use. That doesn't go over as well here in the Bible Belt though ... go figure, LOL ... So I'd do a $50 GC to a niche/boutique store or $100 GC to a restaurant, depending on how close the friendship is. Maybe a token gift if I knew what his interests were: golf, cooking, Coke, or whatever. Everyone loves Harry & David, you could have something delivered the day before or of the party? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matrips Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Bumping for more ideas! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieF Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 A bottle of wine made in the year of his birth? That was a present that dh received Stephanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Depending on how close you are, I'd spend $25 to $50 on a gift card. (We're on a budget, so that's why I probably wouldn't spend more than $50.) Starbucks, movie theater, Lowe's/Home Depot, iTunes might be good choices. Another option is to make a donation in his name if you know of a specific charity or organization that is near & dear to his heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Are they paying for everyone to eat at the restaurant? Ha, maybe it's rude for me to ask, but it would change my answer! We're on a tight budget so we prob wouldn't be able to spend more than $20/25 on a gift card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 What about music or a book from his birth year? New York Times Bestselling books from 1964 Top 100 Hits from 1964 ETA: Here are some highlights from 1964. Perhaps something will inspire you. I see that Dr. Strangelove, the movie, came out then. So perhaps a movie from that year. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 A fun gift is to give a lot of little baggies of 50 things. My sil did this with my fil, and I also did it with my uncle. My fil loved it (as did everyone else at the party) but my uncle didn't get it, so make sure the humor of this gift will be appreciated. Some suggestions are 50 Hershey Kisses, 50 pennies, 50 paper clips, 50 pencils, 50 almonds, 50 nails, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Are gifts really expected? We'll hit this landmark with dh this year, and while we're toying with the idea of a celebration, we just want to treat our friends to something nice. I had not even considered that people might give gifts and wouldn't expect that--I think I would feel guilty if they gave us a $50 gc to somewhere. But we do have a casual culture here. One gift that would be perfect for my dh is something that I saw a friend do for another friend's 40th b-day--a really good chocolate bar. It's an extravagant brand of chocolate, but really pretty inexpensive in the grand scheme of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matrips Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 Yes, they are paying. It's a sandwich/deli kind of place. But big, with private room for catering. Yes, they do expect gifts. The wife had written the email with gift suggestions (in response to people asking for ideas she said). I guess it's a good thing she did; I would have never really considered gifts for an adult otherwise. We only do kids in our family generally. But it was just asking for gift cards. Trying to get a feel for how much and other options. I personally hate gift cards. It feels just like giving money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 It is giving money so your feeling is spot on! It's also tacky to send that kind of email when 'some' asked for gift suggestions. I think she suggested that because they don't want to end up with baggies of 50 paper clips, or 50 Depends diapers. I have been to parties like that and at the end, the birthday boy/girl looks at the pile of stuff as if they have no idea what to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matrips Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 I like these ideas. I really prefer regular gift giving. Thanks. What about music or a book from his birth year? New York Times Bestselling books from 1964 Top 100 Hits from 1964 ETA: Here are some highlights from 1964. Perhaps something will inspire you. I see that Dr. Strangelove, the movie, came out then. So perhaps a movie from that year. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 For adult birthdays I'd give a bottle of wine or box of chocolates, more as a gift to the host than a birthday gift. Probably $25-30 (Australian - as a reference, I spend $20-25 on kids' birthday gifts). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Friend gave dh a shop vac, because 50 sucks. :leaving: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 This is a nice 50 gift, as long as the guy can eat candy: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UUJ590/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They sell a similar box with 40, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.