Help me find a creative gift
January 2, 2012 7:20 AM Subscribe
[gifting filter] I was substantially out-gifted by my girlfriend; I got her an arty coffee table book, she took me on a surprise trip to Philadelphia. Her birthday is coming up and I would like to come up with something really awesome and unexpected for her...(special snowflake details inside)
We have been seeing each other for about six months, so I went with something thoughtful, but not flashy, as a Christmas gift. Since my birthday is very close to Christmas she told me to pick a convenient day to reserve for a surprise.
Turns out the surprise was a weekend in Philadelphia at a really nice hotel. We are both 25 and have pretty good jobs, but this is something that is definitely out of my means and I was extremely surprised.
Her birthday is coming up and while there is absolutely no expectation that I try to match her gift, I would like to try to do something really awesome for her too.
She is tough to buy things for because she has a very quirky sense of humor and she is not a very material person. For example, she was really excited about receiving an ice cube maker that makes ice cubes in the shape of the Titanic for Christmas.
We live in the Washington DC area, but she is originally from Baltimore and she really really loves Baltimore.
I think the perfect gift would be something experiential rather than material, and quirky rather than lux. Anything within an easy drive of DC or Baltimore is fair game. She enjoys things that are tacky or kitschy (a la John Waters), loves dive bars, rare IPAs, the tv show Strangers with Candy, and Dolly Parton.
Unfortunately, I don't really know her friends at all so I have not had any luck getting suggestions from them. For Christmas, it seems like everyone bought her various high-end bourbons, so I want to do something more creative than that.
Thanks MeFi!
We have been seeing each other for about six months, so I went with something thoughtful, but not flashy, as a Christmas gift. Since my birthday is very close to Christmas she told me to pick a convenient day to reserve for a surprise.
Turns out the surprise was a weekend in Philadelphia at a really nice hotel. We are both 25 and have pretty good jobs, but this is something that is definitely out of my means and I was extremely surprised.
Her birthday is coming up and while there is absolutely no expectation that I try to match her gift, I would like to try to do something really awesome for her too.
She is tough to buy things for because she has a very quirky sense of humor and she is not a very material person. For example, she was really excited about receiving an ice cube maker that makes ice cubes in the shape of the Titanic for Christmas.
We live in the Washington DC area, but she is originally from Baltimore and she really really loves Baltimore.
I think the perfect gift would be something experiential rather than material, and quirky rather than lux. Anything within an easy drive of DC or Baltimore is fair game. She enjoys things that are tacky or kitschy (a la John Waters), loves dive bars, rare IPAs, the tv show Strangers with Candy, and Dolly Parton.
Unfortunately, I don't really know her friends at all so I have not had any luck getting suggestions from them. For Christmas, it seems like everyone bought her various high-end bourbons, so I want to do something more creative than that.
Thanks MeFi!
$345 will enroll her in a highway driving "Accident Avoidance" course at Summit Point racetrack in West Virginia. Nothing at all like High School Drivers Ed! Lots of swerving, skidding, slaloming and going fast around the track.
posted by apparently at 7:39 AM on January 2, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by apparently at 7:39 AM on January 2, 2012 [6 favorites]
Make her a collage. Start with a cool looking empty picture frame and go through magazines (or the internet) and cut out:
- words that describe her or your relationship
- pictures of favorite places/shows/movies
- pictures of favorite things you both enjoy doing together
- hers and your favorite sayings
- anything that reminds you of her
Add some other things, like a ticket stub from a movie you went to, take a snippit of the brochure of the hotel you stayed in Philly. Just get some rubber cement and go to town, arranging everything to your liking in the picture frame.
With that much thought and so very personalized, she will LOVE it and it is something no one else could possibly get her.
posted by NoraCharles at 7:44 AM on January 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
- words that describe her or your relationship
- pictures of favorite places/shows/movies
- pictures of favorite things you both enjoy doing together
- hers and your favorite sayings
- anything that reminds you of her
Add some other things, like a ticket stub from a movie you went to, take a snippit of the brochure of the hotel you stayed in Philly. Just get some rubber cement and go to town, arranging everything to your liking in the picture frame.
With that much thought and so very personalized, she will LOVE it and it is something no one else could possibly get her.
posted by NoraCharles at 7:44 AM on January 2, 2012 [3 favorites]
Buy her a wacky camera from Archie McPhee, and set off on a photo safari of John Waters sites in Baltimore. When that wraps up, give her an insane thrifted vintage prom dress and return to your apartment where you have gathered her friends for a party straight out of Amy Sedaris' I Like You.
posted by apparently at 7:57 AM on January 2, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by apparently at 7:57 AM on January 2, 2012 [8 favorites]
Can you take a day trip back up this way to visit Dogfish Head's Brewery in Delaware? Or take a road trip in search of kitsch-- try Road Side America for excellent stopping points. I'm also partial to the Land of Little Horses by Gettysburg; Pennsylvania is no stranger to oddity and there are several books for the DC-metro area and surrounding states on good side trips, if you wanted to structure something around that.
Oh, and if you're just looking for fun litte things-- the Chocolate Moose shop on L St. has been supplying our family with such goods as wind-up leiderhosen since my childhood. There's also Wake Up Little Susie in Cleveland Park, and a couple of good shops on U Street. Online, nthing Archie McPhee and adding Perpetual Kid.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:06 AM on January 2, 2012
Oh, and if you're just looking for fun litte things-- the Chocolate Moose shop on L St. has been supplying our family with such goods as wind-up leiderhosen since my childhood. There's also Wake Up Little Susie in Cleveland Park, and a couple of good shops on U Street. Online, nthing Archie McPhee and adding Perpetual Kid.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:06 AM on January 2, 2012
My personality sounds somewhat like your girlfriend's, and the idea of a day visit to a couple of weird places (seconding Land of Little Horses!!!) + recording the day with the Archie McPhee Popcamera sounds like an awesome birthday. You could also buy a little photo album and get the photos processed as her gift- maybe at a one hour place while you are having dinner together, so you can laugh at them together before the day is over. Also a cheap but thoughtful end to the date is having a pint of her favorite ice cream to share.
posted by ezrainch at 8:19 AM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by ezrainch at 8:19 AM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: A trip to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, and treating to whatever she falls in love with from their fantastic not-the-usual gift shop, and then PIE is what I'd wish for, and down to the bourbons, I share your girlfriend's tastes.
posted by peagood at 10:00 AM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by peagood at 10:00 AM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Does she like cocktails? Take her out on a fancy date to Passenger/Columbia Room. Perhaps do a class together. I really liked the idea above about starting the date with a trip to the thrift store to buy fabulous outfits together.
I also like the idea of a road trip. Spend the bulk of your money on gas, nice diversions such as a camera to document the trip with, roadside cafes and such.
Another swerve to consider is to host a party for her. Not necessarily a surprise party, but a party in her honor that she doesn't also have to organize for herself. Perhaps team up with her closest friend to make it happen. Maybe borrow a digital projector and do a good slideshow for ambient background. Get good music and buy a keg of her favorite IPA. Turn someone's garage into a dive bar, or hell -- rent out a dive bar (cheaper than you'd think) for the night.
I've never done this, but have always wanted to -- does she have any long distance friends or family members? Fly one of them out.
Get her X number of presents for X number of years in age.
Though plenty of folks may tell you not to buy jewelry, I think most men are capable of getting it right if you take the time to look at what jewelry she already owns/wears, making a note of size/style/color. You can even take a photo and bring it with you when shopping.
Go on a snow trip. Find a place that has cabins or a lodge, as they tend to be more practical/affordable. Browse listings on VRBO, some rental cottages are far cheaper than a hotel and provide amenities such as kitchens, which can also keep your costs down. Take her sledding, or skiing if she's that sort. Pack hot drinking chocolate, really great snacks, fancy beverages, etc. Get one of her favorite movies on your laptop or DVD and watch it together. Make her breakfast.
Have fun!
posted by cior at 11:36 AM on January 2, 2012
I also like the idea of a road trip. Spend the bulk of your money on gas, nice diversions such as a camera to document the trip with, roadside cafes and such.
Another swerve to consider is to host a party for her. Not necessarily a surprise party, but a party in her honor that she doesn't also have to organize for herself. Perhaps team up with her closest friend to make it happen. Maybe borrow a digital projector and do a good slideshow for ambient background. Get good music and buy a keg of her favorite IPA. Turn someone's garage into a dive bar, or hell -- rent out a dive bar (cheaper than you'd think) for the night.
I've never done this, but have always wanted to -- does she have any long distance friends or family members? Fly one of them out.
Get her X number of presents for X number of years in age.
Though plenty of folks may tell you not to buy jewelry, I think most men are capable of getting it right if you take the time to look at what jewelry she already owns/wears, making a note of size/style/color. You can even take a photo and bring it with you when shopping.
Go on a snow trip. Find a place that has cabins or a lodge, as they tend to be more practical/affordable. Browse listings on VRBO, some rental cottages are far cheaper than a hotel and provide amenities such as kitchens, which can also keep your costs down. Take her sledding, or skiing if she's that sort. Pack hot drinking chocolate, really great snacks, fancy beverages, etc. Get one of her favorite movies on your laptop or DVD and watch it together. Make her breakfast.
Have fun!
posted by cior at 11:36 AM on January 2, 2012
Response by poster: I really like the idea of taking her to the Columbia Room. Any chance anyone knows of something similar in Baltimore?
posted by forkisbetter at 12:39 PM on January 2, 2012
posted by forkisbetter at 12:39 PM on January 2, 2012
#1 - Berger's Cookies.
#2 - Dogfish Head is just across the Bay from you in Delaware.
Combine #1 with #2 and you have a good start!
posted by robocop is bleeding at 12:47 PM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
#2 - Dogfish Head is just across the Bay from you in Delaware.
Combine #1 with #2 and you have a good start!
posted by robocop is bleeding at 12:47 PM on January 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, there's not really anything similar to The Passenger / Columbia Room in Baltimore. (I live in Baltimore and know the dudes who own the Passenger). Maybe a day at the Visionary Arts Museum and a night at the Columbia Room when you get back to DC that night?
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:57 PM on January 2, 2012
posted by youcancallmeal at 4:57 PM on January 2, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by yarly at 7:27 AM on January 2, 2012 [4 favorites]