Comments on: Help me enthusiastically welcome my man home!

Question: Help me enthusiastically welcome my man home!

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:41:47 -0800

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?

By: NotMyselfRightNow

NotMyselfRightNow — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:59:15 -0800

Bacon.

By: cowbellemoo

cowbellemoo — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:59:17 -0800

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.

By: WinnipegDragon

WinnipegDragon — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:00:12 -0800

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...

By: PenDevil

PenDevil — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:03:15 -0800

A sixpack of his favourite beer?

By: zoomorphic

zoomorphic — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:04:48 -0800

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.

By: FritoKAL

FritoKAL — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:11:25 -0800

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)

By: mjg123

mjg123 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:14:50 -0800

Trenchcoat with nothing but bacon underneath, and a sixpack.

By: grouse

grouse — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:18:01 -0800

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.

By: micawber

micawber — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:21:34 -0800

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.

By: footnote

footnote — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:28:28 -0800

I believe the masculine equivalent of flowers is some kind of baked goods -- brownies or cookies.

By: kittyprecious

kittyprecious — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:29:14 -0800

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.

By: plinth

plinth — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:30:09 -0800

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.

By: robocop is bleeding

robocop is bleeding — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:32:31 -0800

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.

By: handybitesize

handybitesize — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:33:31 -0800

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

So kinda like bacon then

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:40:35 -0800

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.

By: scabrous

scabrous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:43:54 -0800

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.

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:50:18 -0800

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.

By: cjorgensen

cjorgensen — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:54:13 -0800

Single Malt Scotch.

By: gfrobe

gfrobe — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:56:04 -0800

How about a nice bottle of Champagne with a ribbon around it.

By: Restless Day

Restless Day — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:59:16 -0800

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.

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:01:19 -0800

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.

By: amtho

amtho — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:15:03 -0800

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"!

By: Spurious

Spurious — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:20:54 -0800

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.

By: InfinateJane

InfinateJane — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:52:04 -0800

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"

By: Ironmouth

Ironmouth — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:54:46 -0800

XBox 360.

Seriously, just give him flowers. Dudes like 'em too.

By: KirkJobSluder

KirkJobSluder — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:02:44 -0800

What Brandon said.

By: Zambrano

Zambrano — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:46:06 -0800

Fur coat/nothing on underneath.

By: corey flood

corey flood — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:46:29 -0800

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.

By: booth

booth — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:38:01 -0800

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.)

By: tubesaddict

tubesaddict — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:13:11 -0800

Seriously, a bouquet of bacon.

By: arcticseal

arcticseal — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:14:45 -0800

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

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:20:11 -0800

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

Nope, flowers for a guys is terrible.

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:24:03 -0800

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!"

By: Megafly

Megafly — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:17:19 -0800

Bacon cookies?

By: Mr_Zero

Mr_Zero — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:34:02 -0800

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.

By: paisley henosis

paisley henosis — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:58:16 -0800

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.