Double Day: Gifts for a teenager?

January 19, 2013 7:27 AM

In February, my brother will be the age I was when he was born---or, to put it another way, I will be twice his age for the one and only time. To celebrate "double day," I would like to send him a box of double things---like double mint gum. Unfortunately, the only double thing I can think of is gum and a whole box of gum just seems a tad bit uninspiring. So hive mind, what else can I send that would fit the "double day" theme?
posted by rapidadverbssuck to human relations (27 answers total)

Something baseball related, because of Abner Doubleday?
posted by fixer at 7:30 AM on January 19

Send him an outfit you would have worn in the 90's when he was born?
posted by smitt at 7:30 AM on January 19

Double Stuf Oreos
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:33 AM on January 19 [6 favorites]

Send him a recipe for doubles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubles_%28food%29

A book published by Doubleday.

A CD by the band Double Trouble
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Trouble_%28band%29

the movie the Double:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1646980/
posted by bunderful at 7:34 AM on January 19

I assume you brother's age is, at most, just barely in the double digits and you're at most in your early 20s. What does your brother like and what's your budget for this?
posted by Nomyte at 7:35 AM on January 19 [1 favorite]

There is a brand of cigarettes from China called Double Happiness, but that is a terrible gift. Maybe get your hands on some empty cartons/packs and craft something, or use that as packaging?
posted by vrakatar at 7:38 AM on January 19

Double tulip bulbs?

An album by Sister Double Happiness?

A bain-marie, or double boiler?

A weekend away at a Doubletree Hotel?
posted by pammeke at 7:39 AM on January 19

You could also put the cases/jackets for things with Double in the title over books/CDs/movies he actually wants.
posted by that's how you get ants at 7:40 AM on January 19

Go to a used bookstore and ask for books starting with Double.
posted by DoubleLune at 7:43 AM on January 19

There are lots of double chocolate cookie recipes - make a homemade batch.
posted by Miko at 7:46 AM on January 19

You could incorporate the famous double rainbow into something.

But really, wouldn't the double day be something you celebrate on your birthday, not his? He isn't double your age, you're double his. It kind of seems like you're making his birthday about you.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 7:50 AM on January 19 [1 favorite]

Sorry, missed the title - gifts for a teenager. In light of that, I withdraw my previous suggestions. Double chocolate cookies, Doublemint gum, and perhaps a mix CD of songs with "double" in the title are likely more appropriate...
posted by pammeke at 7:51 AM on January 19

Funny, I read your description and thought, 'how cool, his younger brother is half his age!'. So maybe instead of double things, you could send half things. If you live close and see each other often, you could keep one half of the objects and he the other and use them together. It could be experience type things as well.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 7:53 AM on January 19 [5 favorites]

I'll go on a more practical, less inspiring track: socks, gloves, shoes, shoelaces, t-shirt two-pack. Double-feature DVD.
posted by Ender's Friend at 8:06 AM on January 19

DVD of Double Indemnity, and what's more it can be picked up for a song.
posted by biffa at 8:59 AM on January 19

Can I just say, from experience, that unless you wrap things very tightly, the cookies and every other food item will take on the flavor of the Doublemint gum? Maybe everyone else know this, but I learned it the hard way.
posted by pasici at 9:32 AM on January 19 [1 favorite]

Great suggestions so far! Just to clarify---my brother is 14 and I am 28. Also, it is not his birthday---it is the actual day that I will be double his age/he will be half my age. And I'm planning to spend around $50 but am willing to spend up to $100. Thanks again for all of the great ideas...and please keep them coming!
posted by rapidadverbssuck at 9:33 AM on January 19

Funny, I read your description and thought, 'how cool, his younger brother is half his age!'. So maybe instead of double things, you could send half things. If you live close and see each other often, you could keep one half of the objects and he the other and use them together. It could be experience type things as well.

Unfortunately, I don't live very close to my brother or get to see him very often. Since we don't get to see each other much, I try to come up with silly little ways (like creating Double Day) to stay in touch.

And, yes, it could be "Half Day," but I like the alliteration of "Double Day" much better :)

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify (and sorry for threadsitting)!
posted by rapidadverbssuck at 9:49 AM on January 19

The board game Double Trouble?
posted by srboisvert at 9:53 AM on January 19 [1 favorite]

Something with double decker buses?
posted by hoyland at 10:22 AM on January 19

The Elvis movie Double Trouble?
posted by dizziest at 11:01 AM on January 19

Maybe something double agent related? I'm not exactly sure what that would entail for you -- depends on your comfort level and his taste. It could be a little locking safe box for his prized stuff, a cheap hidden camera, one of those spy pens with ultra violet ink and black light.
posted by diamondsky at 11:04 AM on January 19

What a cute idea!

How about a double-bladed light saber? The Sims Double Deluxe game? I don't know if trading card games are still popular, but if your brother plays any, I guarantee there will be a thematic card that you can get. (I'm thinking Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, etc.)

I would find double-sided tape useful, not sure about a 14-year-old. A gag gift could be 2-ply toilet paper.

Maybe a stretch, but you could get a toy version of DNA (double-helix structure), or a double-decker bus (like the character from Cars).

(Double Happiness is actually a popular name that many brands use in China. The first thing that came to my mind was ping pong balls. If you've ever seen this symbol, that's what it means.)
posted by segfault at 12:04 PM on January 19

A list of (or letter to him containing) lots of double entendres?
posted by penguin pie at 4:01 PM on January 19

Can you get hold of a Cadbury's Double Decker bar?

Maybe someone more imaginative than me will come up with a way to use the witches' speech from Macbeth - "Double, double, toil and trouble" - or 1984's doublethink.

I've got "Science Fiction Double Feature" from the Rocky Horror Picture Show stuck in my head now...
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 5:52 PM on January 19

Double Rainbow ice cream.
posted by brujita at 7:52 PM on January 19

I'd suggest Dubble Bubble for the gum portion of the gift. It's a lot, so he'll use it over time and think of you each time he reaches for a piece. Bonus: it tastes like childhood, which he's likely still clinging to a bit. I remember bubble gum being oddly comforting as I was growing up. It also satisfied that urge to never stop moving.
posted by heyho at 8:09 AM on January 20 [1 favorite]