buy me a present
May 29, 2010 5:05 PM Subscribe
Help me buy myself a present.
Finishing an extended postgraduate training program (about 10 yrs out from graduate school) and getting my first "real" job. Looking to reward myself with a present. Nothing job related, just something I can enjoy now, but yet look at 20-30 yrs from now and think "I remember when..." Things that initially come to mind are: nice pen, watch, art; but looking for some ideas of something more interesting.
Finishing an extended postgraduate training program (about 10 yrs out from graduate school) and getting my first "real" job. Looking to reward myself with a present. Nothing job related, just something I can enjoy now, but yet look at 20-30 yrs from now and think "I remember when..." Things that initially come to mind are: nice pen, watch, art; but looking for some ideas of something more interesting.
Difficult as don't know your gender. (If you're girly and like this kind of thing): For the past couple of momentous occasions in my life, I have bought myself a gorgeous handbag; bags that will last a very, very long time.
posted by meerkatty at 5:20 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by meerkatty at 5:20 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
The equivalent for a man might be a nice leather jacket, hat, or heirloom-quality watch. Perhaps an elegant custom bike if you're a cyclist.
posted by supercres at 5:22 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by supercres at 5:22 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Art is a great idea. Or a rare book. Find a first edition of something you love and buy it.
Or, you know, cocaine and hookers.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 5:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
Or, you know, cocaine and hookers.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 5:23 PM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
More information on what you like, and who you are, would be helpful. The typical watch, pen, art etc gifts are nice, for sure, but if you like other stuff too then throw us a bone!
If it were me, custom built handmade bike, for sure. Get the perfect ride to last you a lifetime.
posted by seagull.apollo at 5:23 PM on May 29, 2010
If it were me, custom built handmade bike, for sure. Get the perfect ride to last you a lifetime.
posted by seagull.apollo at 5:23 PM on May 29, 2010
Response by poster: meerkatty - gender:male; though my wife would definitely mark your answer as best answer
BitterOldPunk - third suggestion made me laugh (audibly) but may not stand the test of time
seagull.apollo - wanted to keep personal details minimal as to widen the responses; plus (sadly) work has killed any hobbies I once had
posted by defenestrated at 5:30 PM on May 29, 2010
BitterOldPunk - third suggestion made me laugh (audibly) but may not stand the test of time
seagull.apollo - wanted to keep personal details minimal as to widen the responses; plus (sadly) work has killed any hobbies I once had
posted by defenestrated at 5:30 PM on May 29, 2010
Put $1000 in the bank. When you withdraw the million or so dollars it will have turned into 20-30 years from now, you'll say, "I remember when I recognized the magic of compound interest."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:33 PM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:33 PM on May 29, 2010 [5 favorites]
A case of really fine wine that is good to drink now, but will be even better in 10 or 20 years.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:37 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:37 PM on May 29, 2010
this is what i like to do and might work for you if you've been so stressed re: school for so many years and perhaps sleep deprived.
1) pick a weekend in the near future
2) priceline a 4-5 star hotel near you for about $80-$100 a night for two or three nights. use biddingfortravel dot com to gauge pricing.
3) make babysitter plans (or tell your wife your plans, if you want alone time)
4) go to hotel. get room service. get a movie. get a massage. hang out in the pool/steam room. don't ask for a wakeup call. GET LOTS AND LOTS OF SLEEP. don't leave unless you want to do something fun, and try to make it a walking leave with no car.
5) return home refreshed and loving life!
i do this both with and without my partner. i am always soooo refreshed and the best part is always that i always feel proud of myself for spending so little because i got a steal on the hotel!
posted by 2003girl at 5:42 PM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
1) pick a weekend in the near future
2) priceline a 4-5 star hotel near you for about $80-$100 a night for two or three nights. use biddingfortravel dot com to gauge pricing.
3) make babysitter plans (or tell your wife your plans, if you want alone time)
4) go to hotel. get room service. get a movie. get a massage. hang out in the pool/steam room. don't ask for a wakeup call. GET LOTS AND LOTS OF SLEEP. don't leave unless you want to do something fun, and try to make it a walking leave with no car.
5) return home refreshed and loving life!
i do this both with and without my partner. i am always soooo refreshed and the best part is always that i always feel proud of myself for spending so little because i got a steal on the hotel!
posted by 2003girl at 5:42 PM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
Sounds to me like a good time to get a tattoo, if that's the kind of thing you're into.
posted by NoraReed at 5:44 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by NoraReed at 5:44 PM on May 29, 2010
Best answer: Instead of something material, treat yourself to an experience. Go skydiving, bungee jumping, take one of those NASCAR training sessions. Do something that scares you, but that you've always secretly wanted to do.
Things can be lost, damaged or destroyed. We are all a collection of experiences, not things. You'll carry the memory forward forever.
posted by inturnaround at 5:51 PM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
Things can be lost, damaged or destroyed. We are all a collection of experiences, not things. You'll carry the memory forward forever.
posted by inturnaround at 5:51 PM on May 29, 2010 [6 favorites]
A great bottle of wine not to be opened for a very long time? That's been mentioned - I second that.
An antique that is in useable condition and means something to you via it's period or design - like a clock, or a fob.
A cashmere scarf. A real 100% cashmere scarf. Or a real 100% cashmere coat. You can wear it for the rest of your life (it will only get better with time).
Insanely nice luggage. The whole kit and kaboodle (suggesting to yourself that you do intend to travel the world).
And insanely nice briefcase (if it applies to your future work)
posted by marimeko at 5:53 PM on May 29, 2010
An antique that is in useable condition and means something to you via it's period or design - like a clock, or a fob.
A cashmere scarf. A real 100% cashmere scarf. Or a real 100% cashmere coat. You can wear it for the rest of your life (it will only get better with time).
Insanely nice luggage. The whole kit and kaboodle (suggesting to yourself that you do intend to travel the world).
And insanely nice briefcase (if it applies to your future work)
posted by marimeko at 5:53 PM on May 29, 2010
Put $1000 in the bank. When you withdraw the million or so dollars it will have turned into 20-30 years from now, you'll say, "I remember when I recognized the magic of compound interest."
Making the generous assumption of 5% for 30 years, that's $4322. A long shot from a million :) Sometimes the memory is worth more anyway!
Also: you could always get a tattoo, if the idea has ever interested you. Something discrete in a discrete part of your body (your back or something).
For something a little less "challenging," I like the idea of experiences. Take pictures! Then make a little scrapbook of it. Bring your wife along. You can make it into a beautiful snapshot of who you were as one chapter closed, and another began.
posted by wooh at 5:57 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
Making the generous assumption of 5% for 30 years, that's $4322. A long shot from a million :) Sometimes the memory is worth more anyway!
Also: you could always get a tattoo, if the idea has ever interested you. Something discrete in a discrete part of your body (your back or something).
For something a little less "challenging," I like the idea of experiences. Take pictures! Then make a little scrapbook of it. Bring your wife along. You can make it into a beautiful snapshot of who you were as one chapter closed, and another began.
posted by wooh at 5:57 PM on May 29, 2010 [2 favorites]
A little boring, but maybe an old school wall clock? Something handmade and wooden and that bongs happily on the hour?
posted by mozhet at 6:15 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by mozhet at 6:15 PM on May 29, 2010
Put $1000 in the bank. When you withdraw the million or so dollars it will have turned into 20-30 years from now, you'll say, "I remember when I recognized the magic of compound interest."
Based on the 0.01% interest rate my bank offers on savings accounts, you could withdraw the princely sum of $1,003 in thirty years.
Buy yourself a gorgeous jacket or briefcase. In Italy.
posted by timeo danaos at 6:22 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Based on the 0.01% interest rate my bank offers on savings accounts, you could withdraw the princely sum of $1,003 in thirty years.
Buy yourself a gorgeous jacket or briefcase. In Italy.
posted by timeo danaos at 6:22 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
The best watch your budget will allow. It will never go out of style, it will be an asset in your professional life, and hard to lose ( unlike a Mont Blanc).
posted by Stellaboots at 6:38 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Stellaboots at 6:38 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Buy yourself a gorgeous jacket or briefcase. In Italy.
Ooh, 2nd combining the material goods with the experience. Awesome trip plus awesome "souvenir"-- can't lose.
posted by supercres at 6:51 PM on May 29, 2010
Ooh, 2nd combining the material goods with the experience. Awesome trip plus awesome "souvenir"-- can't lose.
posted by supercres at 6:51 PM on May 29, 2010
If you're at all musically inclined a musical instrument might be a fun self-gift. Even if you're not, it could look great on your wall and may appreciate nicely over time.
posted by ropeladder at 6:52 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by ropeladder at 6:52 PM on May 29, 2010
Best answer: You could get a new hobby or skill... buy a set of golf clubs and lessons, a kayak, or a nice camera...
posted by kaudio at 6:53 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by kaudio at 6:53 PM on May 29, 2010
I'm with meerkatty. Get yourself a great bag. You'll still be using it in 30 years.
posted by dobbs at 6:58 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 6:58 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: While things are nice, an experience with memories (and photos) would be so much better. This depends on time/money. But some quick ideas:
-Visit a foreign country that you've always wanted to go to
-Skydiving
-Whitewater Rafting
-A backpacking trip in the mountains
I'm sure you have something that you've always wanted to do?
posted by bindasj at 7:12 PM on May 29, 2010
-Visit a foreign country that you've always wanted to go to
-Skydiving
-Whitewater Rafting
-A backpacking trip in the mountains
I'm sure you have something that you've always wanted to do?
posted by bindasj at 7:12 PM on May 29, 2010
If you're into photography, go out and buy a nice lens. Those will last a lifetime.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 7:15 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by Threeway Handshake at 7:15 PM on May 29, 2010
Buy a very nice journal to go with your nice pen and write in it for the next X years. Mark out entries for 366 days without indicating day of the week, and track notable events in your life by the year it happened.
posted by tantivy at 9:05 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by tantivy at 9:05 PM on May 29, 2010
I bought myself a decent mechanical watch when I passed the bar exam. The Poor Man's Watch Forum is my go-to resource for information on such, and the place I send my friends, all of whom have been satisfied.
posted by tellumo at 11:56 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by tellumo at 11:56 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Start calling today for a reservation at The French Laundry. From the day you book it you have three months to figure out travel and accomodations. You'll have a few months of anticipation leading to a fabulous weekend away for you and your wife. An experience may be something that you can look back on for decades.
posted by bendy at 1:24 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by bendy at 1:24 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you all for your great answers. The "experience" gift sounds like a great option, and one I never considered. Off to pick something out...
posted by defenestrated at 8:50 AM on May 30, 2010
posted by defenestrated at 8:50 AM on May 30, 2010
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posted by emyd at 5:12 PM on May 29, 2010