What does my boyfriend want for his birthday?
April 28, 2019 3:05 PM Subscribe
Buying a gift for the man who loves and has everything he needs.
Posting this anonymously because I'm paranoid he'll find this and I don't need him seeing my account. SUPER unlikely that'll happen but anyway.
My boyfriend is a certified Lover of Everything. He also makes good money and buys himself everything he could ever possibly want. I have about 100 bucks to spend and I really want to make this special for him. I just know very little about some of the things he REALLY LOVES. Things he loves, in no particular order:
CARS
Firetrucks (he's a volunteer firefighter)
Anything technology--he loves talking about drones and driverless cars and robots and any and all tech stuff. He'll sit around watching videos of robots doing things for fun.
Board games, especially DnD and any kind of strategy game
Video games
AIRPLANES--he sits around and watches videos explaining how to fly airplanes for fun
Military stuff--he does work with the military and he's especially interested in the air force and navy.
Cooking
Cats, especially his cat
Anything outdoorsey
Rock climbing
SCIENCE FICTION--books, movies, any kind of informative read on anything vaguely science fiction-ey
Anything space related--astronauts, NASA, planets, literally anything of the sort. He loves watching live videos of rockets launching and explaining every waking detail of what's happening to me.
ETC
Ideas so far: I want to get him a cards against humanity expansion pack. We've also been talking about getting a 2 person board game, but we haven't done it yet so I'd like to try to get him something we can play just the two of us. But WHAT? I'm looking for something funny, ideally, though a strategy game would also be fine (and fun!). I was also thinking of getting him this book, which is apparently some kind of master history of dungeons and dragons that he would (hopefully) think is really cool.
So.... what else? I'd LIKE to get him some military patches, since he has one and I THINK he said he's collecting them now, but it turns out that military patches are a Very Extensive Industry and I'm super overwhelmed trying to figure out which ones to get him. I'd love to do more with the technology/geek/sci fi stuff but I'm just not sure what to get. I think he said he'd like to read The Martian, so I could get that. He has a ton of sci fi books and I don't want to get him someting he's already had. I'm almost certain he doesn't have The Martian, though.
Help me brainstorm! Any other ideas?
Posting this anonymously because I'm paranoid he'll find this and I don't need him seeing my account. SUPER unlikely that'll happen but anyway.
My boyfriend is a certified Lover of Everything. He also makes good money and buys himself everything he could ever possibly want. I have about 100 bucks to spend and I really want to make this special for him. I just know very little about some of the things he REALLY LOVES. Things he loves, in no particular order:
CARS
Firetrucks (he's a volunteer firefighter)
Anything technology--he loves talking about drones and driverless cars and robots and any and all tech stuff. He'll sit around watching videos of robots doing things for fun.
Board games, especially DnD and any kind of strategy game
Video games
AIRPLANES--he sits around and watches videos explaining how to fly airplanes for fun
Military stuff--he does work with the military and he's especially interested in the air force and navy.
Cooking
Cats, especially his cat
Anything outdoorsey
Rock climbing
SCIENCE FICTION--books, movies, any kind of informative read on anything vaguely science fiction-ey
Anything space related--astronauts, NASA, planets, literally anything of the sort. He loves watching live videos of rockets launching and explaining every waking detail of what's happening to me.
ETC
Ideas so far: I want to get him a cards against humanity expansion pack. We've also been talking about getting a 2 person board game, but we haven't done it yet so I'd like to try to get him something we can play just the two of us. But WHAT? I'm looking for something funny, ideally, though a strategy game would also be fine (and fun!). I was also thinking of getting him this book, which is apparently some kind of master history of dungeons and dragons that he would (hopefully) think is really cool.
So.... what else? I'd LIKE to get him some military patches, since he has one and I THINK he said he's collecting them now, but it turns out that military patches are a Very Extensive Industry and I'm super overwhelmed trying to figure out which ones to get him. I'd love to do more with the technology/geek/sci fi stuff but I'm just not sure what to get. I think he said he'd like to read The Martian, so I could get that. He has a ton of sci fi books and I don't want to get him someting he's already had. I'm almost certain he doesn't have The Martian, though.
Help me brainstorm! Any other ideas?
If $100 isn’t set in stone, look into hangglider or glider plane lessons in your area. I bet you could find something for around $150?
posted by Grandysaur at 3:14 PM on April 28, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Grandysaur at 3:14 PM on April 28, 2019 [8 favorites]
Your local airport will probably offer an “introductory flight” in an airplane - he’ll get to handle the controls next to a flight instructor and go do a little sightseeing. Depending on where you live it’ll probably be a little more than $100, but they’re loss leaders to get students in the door so they’re not terribly expensive. You should be able to go up with him in the back seat if you want.
Of course, if he really loves it then he’s looking at $$$ for a pilots license and you’ll be facing nonstop airplane talk, so beware.
posted by backseatpilot at 3:18 PM on April 28, 2019 [14 favorites]
Of course, if he really loves it then he’s looking at $$$ for a pilots license and you’ll be facing nonstop airplane talk, so beware.
posted by backseatpilot at 3:18 PM on April 28, 2019 [14 favorites]
Do you have a climbing gym near by that he goes to? Get him an advanced lesson or a membership if he doesn't already have one, solves the already-has-all-the-stuff problem.
posted by slow graffiti at 3:29 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by slow graffiti at 3:29 PM on April 28, 2019
Either an intro flight lesson as backseatpilot suggested or the Lego Saturn V set.
posted by bondcliff at 3:37 PM on April 28, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 3:37 PM on April 28, 2019 [2 favorites]
Does he like getting presents? I couldn’t tell from your posts. My boyfriend doesn’t care about getting presents at all so I’ve taken care of stuff for him before. For Christmas I (paid for) and basically did all the paperwork for him to get a passport which was way more appreciated than any item I could have gotten him
posted by raccoon409 at 3:37 PM on April 28, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 3:37 PM on April 28, 2019 [8 favorites]
I am sure he has DnD dice but does he have super cool fancy DnD dice or dice he picked up for $5 when he got started and never replaced them? If the latter, check out Kraken Dice for some really cool sets.
posted by brook horse at 3:38 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by brook horse at 3:38 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Does he like whiskey? As a "dad" I have very particular tastes about everything. However, there are some things I won't necessarily buy because they are too expensive, notably whiskey or wine. I always appreciate when someone buys me an expensive bottle of booze.
posted by JamesBay at 3:49 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by JamesBay at 3:49 PM on April 28, 2019
Patchwork is an amazing two-person boardgame. It's a bit like Tetris in that you're placing pieces on a your own game board, but two-person only do optimized for that sort of play.
posted by Carillon at 4:00 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Carillon at 4:00 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
A speargun, you can get nice ones for $70-120 online. Super fun and many people don’t even know they could easily buy one at that price range.
Alternately; a Korg Volca series synthesizer, same deal.
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:07 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Alternately; a Korg Volca series synthesizer, same deal.
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:07 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
I asked this question awhile back for 2 person games to play with my partner. I ended up getting Pandemic Legacy and it was wonderful to play a round each night with fancy beers that I got. My partner really liked the gift: both the game and us carving out the time to play.
posted by inevitability at 4:16 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by inevitability at 4:16 PM on April 28, 2019
My first thought was also a flight lesson as others have suggested. One other option would be getting him a few laps in a super car at whatever the closest race track is.
posted by saladin at 4:18 PM on April 28, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by saladin at 4:18 PM on April 28, 2019 [2 favorites]
How about a lovely wooden holder of DnD dice?
Other ideas for 2 person strategy board games that are easy to learn and pretty quick to play: Arboretum, Hanamikoji, Cat Lady, and Targi.
You might also consider co-operative board games like Pandemic or more DnD inspired games where you both can play against the game like Mice and Mystics or Pathfinder the card game.
Obviously the risk of buying someone who loves board games more board games is that they may already have said board game. If they have and maintain a boardgamegeek account, you can snoop on their wishlist and buy accordingly.
posted by ellerhodes at 4:18 PM on April 28, 2019
Other ideas for 2 person strategy board games that are easy to learn and pretty quick to play: Arboretum, Hanamikoji, Cat Lady, and Targi.
You might also consider co-operative board games like Pandemic or more DnD inspired games where you both can play against the game like Mice and Mystics or Pathfinder the card game.
Obviously the risk of buying someone who loves board games more board games is that they may already have said board game. If they have and maintain a boardgamegeek account, you can snoop on their wishlist and buy accordingly.
posted by ellerhodes at 4:18 PM on April 28, 2019
Commission a portrait of his cat posing dramatically while dressed as his favorite sci-fi character.
posted by notquitemaryann at 4:29 PM on April 28, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by notquitemaryann at 4:29 PM on April 28, 2019 [18 favorites]
Toys for the cat. DnD themed toys. Firefighter themed toys. Car themed toys. There is nearly no limit to the variety of cat toys. Light dot toys. Refillable catnip toys.
Also look into day trips or events an hour or two driving g from where you are. Fire truck displays? Historical fire museums?
posted by bilabial at 4:33 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Also look into day trips or events an hour or two driving g from where you are. Fire truck displays? Historical fire museums?
posted by bilabial at 4:33 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
I've given the Atlas Obscura book to a number of people with similar interests and they've all loved it.
I don't know if it's possible to get the images from here printed but I'd be thrilled to receive them as gifts.
posted by Ftsqg at 4:50 PM on April 28, 2019 [3 favorites]
I don't know if it's possible to get the images from here printed but I'd be thrilled to receive them as gifts.
posted by Ftsqg at 4:50 PM on April 28, 2019 [3 favorites]
Hotshots Is a fun game for two people about backcountry fire fighting!
posted by advicepig at 4:58 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by advicepig at 4:58 PM on April 28, 2019
Netrunner is a two player sci-fi themed game that is a lot of fun. Twilight Struggle is another great two player game.
The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle isn't exactly traditional sci-fi, but worth a read.
If he likes hot beverages, perhaps a Zojirushi travel mug?
posted by backwards guitar at 5:13 PM on April 28, 2019
The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle isn't exactly traditional sci-fi, but worth a read.
If he likes hot beverages, perhaps a Zojirushi travel mug?
posted by backwards guitar at 5:13 PM on April 28, 2019
It wouldn't be something you can hand him, but you might check if the CAF is putting on an airshow near you this summer. The schedules for Fifi or the Tora Tora Tora group are probably online.
Otherwise, is he good / okay with his hands? If so, that pattern of interests suggests he might enjoy a model aircraft, and a small kit of stuff for it -- a basic airbrush and a few paints/washes in colors appropriate for it (there will be Guides).
A safe-ish bet for military patches is entirely fictional ones. Googling shows a bunch of patches related to The Expanse like Tycho Station or MCRN Tachi, the US Colonial Marines or Nostromo, the good ol' Incom T-65, and a bunch of other stuff.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 5:26 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Otherwise, is he good / okay with his hands? If so, that pattern of interests suggests he might enjoy a model aircraft, and a small kit of stuff for it -- a basic airbrush and a few paints/washes in colors appropriate for it (there will be Guides).
A safe-ish bet for military patches is entirely fictional ones. Googling shows a bunch of patches related to The Expanse like Tycho Station or MCRN Tachi, the US Colonial Marines or Nostromo, the good ol' Incom T-65, and a bunch of other stuff.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 5:26 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
There's a Games of Thrones version of Settlers of Catan that has different rules. If he's a fan of both, maybe he'd like that.
posted by AppleTurnover at 5:54 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by AppleTurnover at 5:54 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
Just a thought: does he already have, or do you think he would like to receive a Fire Fighter Appreciation Challenge Coin?
posted by forthright at 6:09 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by forthright at 6:09 PM on April 28, 2019
There is an artist I like on instagram who does cat portraits, @weirdcatsforever, and there are many more around who do commissions if you think he’d like an original art piece featuring his kitty.
posted by bile and syntax at 7:03 PM on April 28, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by bile and syntax at 7:03 PM on April 28, 2019 [2 favorites]
Does he like the Cthulhu mythos? The Arkham Horror card game is designed for two players, and runs about $40 if you wanted to combine it with other gifts. I second Patchwork, also: it's maybe the gold standard for 2P games. Another option is Morels, a game about mushroom collecting designed for 2P, and it seems like a theme he'd appreciate.
A few outdoorsy things that I've considered for myself but never justified buying have been a multipurpose shovel (one with a blade, hammer, saw, etc.) and a general purpose survival kit with things like a solar blanket, water purifying kit, multitool, first aid kit in it. Those would both be around $30 bucks probably. One of the best gifts I've ever received, if he doesn't already have one, is a Leatherman Skeletool. With a blade, screw driver set, pliers and bottle opener it's infinitely handy, and would give you some additional room for other smaller gifts.
posted by codacorolla at 7:11 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
A few outdoorsy things that I've considered for myself but never justified buying have been a multipurpose shovel (one with a blade, hammer, saw, etc.) and a general purpose survival kit with things like a solar blanket, water purifying kit, multitool, first aid kit in it. Those would both be around $30 bucks probably. One of the best gifts I've ever received, if he doesn't already have one, is a Leatherman Skeletool. With a blade, screw driver set, pliers and bottle opener it's infinitely handy, and would give you some additional room for other smaller gifts.
posted by codacorolla at 7:11 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
A less realistic option, but maybe worth mentioning, is the massive tabletop game called Gloomhaven. It's basically a long-form D&D campaign in a box, where players control persistent characters across dozens of adventures, but with really innovative mechanics drawn from Euro style games. It can be played 2P, and if he has a gaming group then they could all have characters as well and drop in and out of the guild depending on availability. It's $140, though, so outside of your stated price range, and therefore also a gamble if he doesn't lke it, although it's insanely well received among boardgamers.
posted by codacorolla at 7:17 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by codacorolla at 7:17 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
I quite like Flash Point: Fire Rescue, which is a cooperative fire-fighter-themed board game (along the same lines as Pandemic).
posted by Paragon at 7:26 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Paragon at 7:26 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
A massage with a good sports masseuse/deep tissue person. Volunteer firefighting and rock climbing probably leads to really sore muscles!
posted by astapasta24 at 7:44 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by astapasta24 at 7:44 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
On the cat portrait front, if you don't know any artists to commission directly, you can also use an outfit like Instapainting. You can get an oil painting done from a photo for under $100.
posted by troyer at 7:55 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by troyer at 7:55 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
One year my kids went to a local Austin biz called Salt+Time and brought back several varieties of artisanal Salumi: Culatella, Guanciale, Sopressatta, Coffee Lomo, and others. $100 can buy a surprising amount of fantastic and rare treats, cut paper thin and arrayed on butcher paper.
*Completely* unexpected, and still one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It lasted 2 or 3 months.
If you live near a shop like this, I’d highly recommend it.
posted by doctor tough love at 8:30 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
*Completely* unexpected, and still one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It lasted 2 or 3 months.
If you live near a shop like this, I’d highly recommend it.
posted by doctor tough love at 8:30 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
You could get him a vintage, hickory-handled ice axe.
Modern ice axes with their shorter tubular metal handles and melted-looking heads are functionally superior, but I think the old ones are far more beautiful.
And they used to be a drug on the market, though a glance at eBay shows me they're beginning to be more appreciated, yet I think you could still find a nice one plus shipping for ~$100.
posted by jamjam at 8:43 PM on April 28, 2019
Modern ice axes with their shorter tubular metal handles and melted-looking heads are functionally superior, but I think the old ones are far more beautiful.
And they used to be a drug on the market, though a glance at eBay shows me they're beginning to be more appreciated, yet I think you could still find a nice one plus shipping for ~$100.
posted by jamjam at 8:43 PM on April 28, 2019
How about a flying scale Saturn V model rocket? Include a launch pad, wadding, and some motors and you will still be under budget.
posted by Sophont at 8:58 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by Sophont at 8:58 PM on April 28, 2019
Does he climb outdoors? If he hasn't yet, can you hire a coach/guide to take him climbing for a day? Or if you guys already climb outside, plan a weekend away where you can relax in a nice hotel with a spa and a hot tub after a day of climbing? Ice climbing might be a good winter/Christmas gift, depending on where you are. If the weather is good where you are, take him camping? One of those indoor skydiving places? Or real skydiving? Do you have/want an Alexa/Google home type device? They're fun to have but not something I would've thought to buy for myself. Cooking class? Hands-on outdoor photography class?
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:35 PM on April 28, 2019
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:35 PM on April 28, 2019
He sounds like the type of guy who will LOVE a good multitool.
The Leatherman Wave is the standard choice, and it's just about a hundred bucks
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 11:03 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Leatherman Wave is the standard choice, and it's just about a hundred bucks
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 11:03 PM on April 28, 2019 [1 favorite]
I like multi-part presents.
Whatever your main gift for him, package it in a utility pouch, with a selection of morale patches all over. The pouch will come in handy for his firefighting/hiking/climbing activities and even as an everyday carry will probably be appreciated in his line of work. Get those tacticool pouches with molle webbing and lots of Velcro so you can apply the morale patches. Patches aren't limited to serious military ones - you can find lots of themes from space exploration to national parks. Get a whole variety of patches reflecting his range of interests and hobbies!
posted by hellopanda at 12:41 AM on April 29, 2019
Whatever your main gift for him, package it in a utility pouch, with a selection of morale patches all over. The pouch will come in handy for his firefighting/hiking/climbing activities and even as an everyday carry will probably be appreciated in his line of work. Get those tacticool pouches with molle webbing and lots of Velcro so you can apply the morale patches. Patches aren't limited to serious military ones - you can find lots of themes from space exploration to national parks. Get a whole variety of patches reflecting his range of interests and hobbies!
posted by hellopanda at 12:41 AM on April 29, 2019
The Google Vision Kit, or Voice Kit: https://aiyprojects.withgoogle.com/
Lillypad sewable electronics kit: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13927
posted by at at 12:54 AM on April 29, 2019
Lillypad sewable electronics kit: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13927
posted by at at 12:54 AM on April 29, 2019
A watercolour portrait of his cat! A good example of how this might look is Deb Mostert of Drawing Dogs - She also paints cats or other animals and her work is fabulous. There would be someone in your area who would do something similar.
posted by latch24 at 2:09 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by latch24 at 2:09 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
If he doesn't already have one, a good weather station would probably suit his interests.
posted by kjs4 at 2:22 AM on April 29, 2019
posted by kjs4 at 2:22 AM on April 29, 2019
For $25, Andrew at Cartoon Portrait will make your cat fancy or silly or turn your boyfriend into a Simpsons character, or whatever cartoon floats his boat. He can put your boyfriend and the cat on the Moon riding a firetruck.
Caveat--you will need to order the print separately, but VistaPrint can do a $12 poster.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:46 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Caveat--you will need to order the print separately, but VistaPrint can do a $12 poster.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:46 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
If he's played videogames since he was a kid, buy him a SNES Classic. Crazy nostalgia, lots of fun.
posted by 0bvious at 3:29 AM on April 29, 2019
posted by 0bvious at 3:29 AM on April 29, 2019
I am a fellow space nerd, and I just bought a piece of the Apollo 11 Command Module. No foolin' real-ass piece, mission flown, been to the Moon and back bit of the Apollo 11 Command Module. $70. Cheap! It's also teeny tiny. But it's been to the Moon and back!
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:51 AM on April 29, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:51 AM on April 29, 2019 [7 favorites]
Book him some time in a full motion flight simulator. They're really cool, and it'll ticks the airplanes, technology/robots, video games, and military boxes (if you find a fighter jet simulator). Plus, if you have a local air and space museum that has a sim, you also check the space box!
posted by natabat at 8:24 AM on April 29, 2019
posted by natabat at 8:24 AM on April 29, 2019
Exploding Kittens is a funny board game with cats that can be played with two people. From the guy who makes the Oatmeal comic. It's very funny.
posted by carolr at 8:49 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by carolr at 8:49 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
In the spirit of brainstorming, would an experiential gift be appealing?
Do you have a local science museum in your city? I KNOW they're nominally for kids, but they're often incredibly fun places, AND they often host a range of surprising and cool events like happy hours and adult nights. For example, the Boston Science Museum hosted a conference on the Future of Seafood in the fall : https://www.mos.org/the-future-of-seafood/ And NYC's Museum of Math is having a cool-looking conference on the Mathematical Art of Origami (although that's a bit steep price-wise.)
Similarly, tickets to a Maker Faire, or a makerspace event, or a drone flying class, or something like Battle Bots . Board game conventions often offer the chance to play the games, and/or try new indie games. And if you're in the Seattle area, then a date at Mox Boarding House, where you can play any of a HUGE range of board games while you eat, sounds like a great fit, and you could add a small game as a physical gift at the end of the meal?
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 9:19 AM on April 29, 2019
Do you have a local science museum in your city? I KNOW they're nominally for kids, but they're often incredibly fun places, AND they often host a range of surprising and cool events like happy hours and adult nights. For example, the Boston Science Museum hosted a conference on the Future of Seafood in the fall : https://www.mos.org/the-future-of-seafood/ And NYC's Museum of Math is having a cool-looking conference on the Mathematical Art of Origami (although that's a bit steep price-wise.)
Similarly, tickets to a Maker Faire, or a makerspace event, or a drone flying class, or something like Battle Bots . Board game conventions often offer the chance to play the games, and/or try new indie games. And if you're in the Seattle area, then a date at Mox Boarding House, where you can play any of a HUGE range of board games while you eat, sounds like a great fit, and you could add a small game as a physical gift at the end of the meal?
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 9:19 AM on April 29, 2019
I see someone already suggested some NASA memorabilia but you can get NASA patches too, sometimes ones that have been flown. I have one that I was given by a scientist (squeee!) and it's a beautiful object, I have it framed in a perspex box. Here's a good resource for buying them.
If there's somewhere reasonably local you can do a tandem paraglide flight, that's a really fun experience and they generally let you fly it yourself for a bit - flying it is pretty easy and fun (landing and take-off being the tricky bits)
posted by tardigrade at 11:08 AM on April 29, 2019
If there's somewhere reasonably local you can do a tandem paraglide flight, that's a really fun experience and they generally let you fly it yourself for a bit - flying it is pretty easy and fun (landing and take-off being the tricky bits)
posted by tardigrade at 11:08 AM on April 29, 2019
If he likes camping, he might like a Bushbuddy stove. Bushcrafting people love these things. I just bought one for my husband's upcoming bday and he's going to be stoked.
posted by GoldenEel at 11:22 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by GoldenEel at 11:22 AM on April 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Hi! I'm one of those people that's impossible to buy for since my hobbies are inexpensive and I have enough disposable income to get the things I do want. My guidance for people giving me gifts is to instead facilitate experiences. Since he likes board games, do you think he would dig an escape room? There are tons in my city on every conceivable theme, so I'm sure you'll be able to find something suitably sci-fi.
posted by zeusianfog at 4:31 PM on April 29, 2019
posted by zeusianfog at 4:31 PM on April 29, 2019
As he is interested in the Navy and also a firefighter I might suggest a ship's ball cap (example) from the USS Forrestal and a book about the 1967 fire on board the ship. Shipboard firefighting ended up drastically effected by the incident which has had knock on effects even to civilian firefighting today.
The above links are not endorsements but examples of what to start looking for. Best of luck.
posted by The Violet Cypher at 9:42 AM on April 30, 2019
The above links are not endorsements but examples of what to start looking for. Best of luck.
posted by The Violet Cypher at 9:42 AM on April 30, 2019
Space related: Our local amateur astronomy club has Star Parties at an observatory. You can look through the big telescopes and the members set up their own in the parking lot. There are tours of the night sky and it's kind of a nerdy blast. Maybe you have one of these clubs near you? (Bonus: it's free. Have a nice dinner beforehand.)
posted by booth at 1:20 PM on May 1, 2019
posted by booth at 1:20 PM on May 1, 2019
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posted by jtexman1 at 3:12 PM on April 28, 2019 [5 favorites]