Present for someone into festivals, food, comics, drama and hospitality

May 2, 2015 1:27 AM

My lovely brother is graduating from university in southern California, and I'd like to get him something special, reasonably-priced, and memorable...that matches his interests...that I can order online or take home from Hong Kong, where I live.

He's into...

- festivals and events
- food
- comics and anime
- drama and acting
- being a host and organising parties, especially with cocktails!

I'd rather not get...

- cooking/food prep equipment or books - he has loads
- comics or anime - I've never really read any and couldn't judge

I'm intrigued by giving him...

- an experience
- a trip
- something unique

Budget:

- under US $200

Purchase location:

- online (but that can deliver to southern California in the next ten days)
- Hong Kong

Thank you!

posted by mdonley to Shopping (5 answers total)

Does Hong Kong still have the tailors who can make a suit fast, good and cheap? If they do, get his measurements and have a suit made for him. I know when I graduated from college I did not have the cash for a suit, and it's a great thing to have for job interviews (buttoned with a tie) and parties (unbuttoned without a tie).
posted by infinitewindow at 7:50 AM on May 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

Get him a leather fanny pack filled with festival necessities like chapstick, sunblock, aspirin, sunglasses, and cash.
posted by myselfasme at 8:25 AM on May 2, 2015

A small lime tree in a pot? Because if I'm making cocktails, I want limes.

Money to go to ComiCon or Burning Man or something?

A California State Parks pass for a year appears to cost $195, but it says "day use", so it doesn't bestow free camping, unfortunately.
posted by puddledork at 8:44 AM on May 2, 2015

If he's into drama and acting, would he enjoy improv classes? A lot of people I know have liked them. On a similar "experience" note, a lot of festival people like basic firespinning classes, which would probably be up his alley if he's a burner.

You might be able to commission his favorite comic artist for something or buy an existing original, although the time constraint may be a problem.

Maybe a new set of nice glassware and stone coasters for his next party?
posted by tautological at 10:48 AM on May 2, 2015

Maybe take him up the coast overnight? Like up to Big Sur? It's amazingly gorgeous up there. You can hit Morro Bay and SLO etc. on your way.
posted by persona au gratin at 1:09 AM on May 3, 2015