Help me enthusiastically welcome my man home!

November 17, 2008 6:41 AM

I always like it when men pick women up from the airport holding a bouquet of flowers for them, and I'd like to do something similar for my boyfriend... but get him something a little more masculine. Help?

My boyfriend is coming back home after a long trip and I'm picking him up at the airport. I am really excited to see him. I think it is very sweet when men pick women up from the airport holding a bouquet of flowers for them, and I'd like to do something similar for him, but I'd like the gift to be more masculine than flowers. I'd still like it to be a representation of my love for him, and something that is somewhat easy to see from a short distance.

Any suggestions?

posted by anonymous to human relations (36 comments total)

Bacon.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 6:59 AM on November 17, 2008 [18 favorites has favorites]

I remember being beside myself with hunger and thirst getting off an airplane most recently. I would have been overjoyed to see a fast food bag, even if the contents were lukewarm. 'Om nom nom' may not be too romantic, but I think it could do wonders towards his comfort and feeling of homecoming.
posted by cowbellemoo at 6:59 AM on November 17, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

Am I the only one thinking trenchcoat with nothing but underwear underneath? Speaking as a guy who has been away on a long trip, that's what I'd want to see...
posted by WinnipegDragon at 7:00 AM on November 17, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

A sixpack of his favourite beer?
posted by PenDevil at 7:03 AM on November 17, 2008

I came here to second WinnepegDragon, but wow, Metafilter. Combine the first and third answers and you're going to be fielding a delirious marriage proposal.
posted by zoomorphic at 7:04 AM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I always just used to have flowers. Granted, my boyfriend is kind of goofy and romantic like that, but I used to get assorted non-girly flowers. Bright colors, no pastels, nothing 'fluffy'. Not roses, just whatever seemed to fit his personality. I think there were black-eyed susans once, I forget what else.

But also, I second the food thing. If it's a long flight, have food waiting. Or a reservation at somewhere he loves, or a snack AND a reservation. For us, at the time, my boyfriend was living in San Diego and I was in DC, so I met him with a burger from Five Guys - and on the reverse side, he'd usually meet me with something from Rubios. (since at the time, you could not get Five Guys on the west coast, and you still can't get Rubios on the east coast)
posted by FritoKAL at 7:11 AM on November 17, 2008

Trenchcoat with nothing but bacon underneath, and a sixpack.
posted by mjg123 at 7:14 AM on November 17, 2008 [12 favorites has favorites]

Does he have a favorite snack food? I think that would be endearing. This might be blasphemy, but I don't think bacon is the greatest idea as you won't be able to serve it at the right temperature.
posted by grouse at 7:18 AM on November 17, 2008

make sure he's the kind of guy who would like that kind of attention in public.

personally, i used to get my hair done, and get as dressed up as i could so i looked like a million bucks. he wasn't thinking about food very much.

but, the snack and some water would be great. and if not at the gate, in the car. and if you're taking public transportation, a tote bag with some snacks.
posted by micawber at 7:21 AM on November 17, 2008

I believe the masculine equivalent of flowers is some kind of baked goods -- brownies or cookies.
posted by footnote at 7:28 AM on November 17, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

I always just used to have flowers. Granted, my boyfriend is kind of goofy and romantic like that, but I used to get assorted non-girly flowers. Bright colors, no pastels, nothing 'fluffy'.

At my college graduation ceremony, a female friend presented me with an artichoke blossom. It's very non-girly and might even be delicious fried and served with mayo.
posted by kittyprecious at 7:29 AM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

What man wouldn't want to be greeted with severed plan genitalia? That is totally extreme.

I think there's nothing wrong with flowers - keep it simple, subdued and clear that you were thinking of him.
posted by plinth at 7:30 AM on November 17, 2008

If you don't want to be (or if it's illegal or whatever - dunno how power trippy airport security is in your neck of the woods) to be holding a sixpack in a public place, get a beer mug and use that as a vase to hold flowers in.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 7:32 AM on November 17, 2008

...an artichoke blossom. It's very non-girly and might even be delicious fried and served with mayo

So kinda like bacon then
posted by handybitesize at 7:33 AM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

My wife and I had a cast-iron routine for this, as we transatlanticed for two years. When I met her, I brought:

A bottle of juice
Pack of cigs
Lighter
Bar of chocolate
Fresh coffee in a cup

When I visited her, I got roughly the same, except

Awesome homemade sign (my surname is Goodman, so the possibilities were endless)
About a litre of water
Juice
Nice cup of tea
Food of some kind

Seriously, nearly everyone is totally jonesing for something (whether nicotine, water, food or booze) after a long flight, and the combination of the person you love and whatever you have been craving is totally awesome.
posted by Happy Dave at 7:40 AM on November 17, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I think that the best gift someone could give in that situation is a warm embrace, something to nibble on the way home, his drink of choice chilled in the fridge and the promise of a substantial meal at home in no time. Prepare this all ahead and you will hit your mark.
posted by scabrous at 7:43 AM on November 17, 2008

Any suggestions?

Ask him what he would like.

Seriously, we don't know him and can't talk to him and we have no idea of the background of ya'll's relationship. By talking to him, you signal that you really care, are there for him and really excited to see him, something anyone would love. As an added bonus, this sort of conversation is just one more way to communicate with him and bond. Also, as some others have hinted, willing to have a bit of fun with it.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:50 AM on November 17, 2008

Single Malt Scotch.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:54 AM on November 17, 2008

How about a nice bottle of Champagne with a ribbon around it.
posted by gfrobe at 7:56 AM on November 17, 2008

I recently picked up my sister from the airport, and while I waited for her plane to arrive I witnessed enough exuberant welcome-home hugs and kisses to get me feeling really sorry for myself.

It's a classic, a staple of romantic movies and, as a man, all I could ever hope for to have the woman I love fly into my arms when I arrive.

I cannot empathize with your boyfriend if you're thinking that just isn't enough.
posted by Restless Day at 7:59 AM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

A daisy in a cupcake, perhaps...

You know the boy; you know what he likes. It's hard to go wrong with this kind of thing - you're really just looking at the difference between Good and Great, and that's a good range to be working in. Pick something that won't be harmed by cooling down, or that starts not-warm, and have it ready, then cart him directly home for a solid meal, be it Chinese take-out or pizza or scooping stew out of the crock pot you've been keeping it warm in.

It's not that the meal and snack itself won't be appreciated, but the simple fact of "I have been thinking of you and tried to make your homecoming pleasant" means a thousand times more than the actual food (or whatever) available.

Alternate option: If you can actually anticipate the time he'll arrive, make reservations at a restaurant in the airport, and greet him with a large printed photo of the steak he's about to eat.
posted by Tomorrowful at 8:01 AM on November 17, 2008

Make a good home-cooked meal including fresh vegetables; something that won't be spoiled if it has to sit (or be refrigerated) for quite a while (in case his plane is late).

Get a little sample of it. Give him that as soon as he gets off the plane, along with, maybe, one flower from any flowers you have to go with the dinner.

Tell him there's more at home, along with very comfortable places to sit and sleep.

That covers "welcome" and "home"!
posted by amtho at 8:15 AM on November 17, 2008

As a guy, I can say nothing got me as weak-kneed as seeing my (then) fiance looking absolutely stunning when I got out of the terminal after 3 months apart.

Not to sound philosophical but get dressed, you ARE the flowers.
posted by Spurious at 8:20 AM on November 17, 2008 [13 favorites has favorites]

On the occasions that girls get flowers, (valentines, etc), I go to my local off-license (liquor store) and have them put together a gift basket with a bottle each of a dozen or so import and microbrew beers, a beer glass, some peanuts, crisps (chips) etc. We call them "boy flowers"
posted by InfinateJane at 8:52 AM on November 17, 2008

XBox 360.

Seriously, just give him flowers. Dudes like 'em too.
posted by Ironmouth at 8:54 AM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

What Brandon said.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 9:02 AM on November 17, 2008

Fur coat/nothing on underneath.
posted by Zambrano at 10:46 AM on November 17, 2008

None of the boys I've given flowers to have complained yet, so there's that...

One of my friends was once picked up at the airport by his girlfriend who was wearing her Bad Catholic Schoolgirl outfit. Thirteen years later, he still remembers this with fondness.
posted by corey flood at 10:46 AM on November 17, 2008

The wife and I have a shot of tequila together every day, so I usually take the bottle and a shot glass (just for her - I'm driving). I meet her out at the curb so I'm not carrying it into the terminal. but still, having a nice beverage waiting in the car is as good as anything. (Except WinnipegDragon's answer.)
posted by booth at 11:38 AM on November 17, 2008

Seriously, a bouquet of bacon.
posted by tubesaddict at 12:13 PM on November 17, 2008

nth-ing the flowers, way cool even for a guy.
posted by arcticseal at 12:14 PM on November 17, 2008

nth-ing the flowers, way cool even for a guy.

Nope, flowers for a guys is terrible.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:20 PM on November 17, 2008

Follow-up from the OP

"Thanks so much for all of the great answers everyone! Normally I would do just some more subdued "man-ish" flowers but he's flying in with a few of his best friends, and while I don't think he'd be embarrassed by it at all, its not the route I want to take in front of his guy friends.

I think Footnote, Grouse, Restless Day, Scabrous, Spurious, and Slimepuppy have it... I'm going to make some cookies or brownies, and get dolled up. I'd have the meal prepared at home too, except its a 2 hour drive from from our international airport, so we'll be eating before we get home.

Thank you for all the help!"

posted by jessamyn at 12:24 PM on November 17, 2008

Bacon cookies?
posted by Megafly at 3:17 PM on November 17, 2008

Get a chauffeur to stand near the security exit, and when he comes out have a chauffeur approach him and say that he is the 20,000 person to exit the security area today. He should hand hims some bullshit document that looks like a diploma. Also he has won some amount of money. Like a thousand dollars. It is a promotional contest and he has won a free limo ride home and some cash. He will never expect anything if you include the cash. Not to crazy, cost less than a $100 after you get your money back from him. The chauffeur goes with him to the baggage area and collects his bags. He then walks to his car and loads the bags in the trunk. The he opens the back door and he enters. You are sitting in the front of the passengers area. You take it from there.
posted by Mr_Zero at 8:34 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm a heterosexual man. Ever since childhood, I've been vaguely disappointed that, because of my gender, no one deems it appropriate to buy me cut flowers. I love cut flowers, and I love being given cut flowers. I can't keep them for long, because they get pollen-y or mold-y, or something, and by the 4th day make me sneeze like the Devil, but I do enjoy getting them.

In front of a crowd of other people would certainly be…unusual, but I think it would be nice.

Alternate answer: whiskey. Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, rye, whatever.
posted by paisley henosis at 9:58 PM on November 17, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]