A question for young guys

[Boston Guy]

Hey guys -

 

I'm going to be visiting a cousin and her family soon. Her son is gay, a junior in college, and a helluva good guy. He's on the water polo team, he gets reasonably good grades and holds down a part-time job as well.

 

My problem? I'm going to be visiting during his birthday and I want to get him a present. We're all pretty close, but his mother has asked me not to get some extravagant present.

 

I like this kid, but realize that I really don't know all that much about how he actually spends his days and I haven't a clue as to what he might like as a gift.

 

Because I need to honor his mother's request, I'm probably stuck in the $50 to $75 range.

 

Any ideas? Do any of you younger guys have any suggestions?

 

I really appreciate any help you can give.

 

Thanks!

BG

[Guest Merlin]

Most guys that age are into music. There are probably a half a dozen CDs he would like to buy. How about a gift certificate.

[+ deej]

Also don't forget that guys that age can always use CASH. Let the kid decide for himself what he wants for his birthday.

[Justice]

How about an American Express gift check? They work like gift certificates and can be used just about anywhere.

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

A subscription to Vanity Fair of course!

 

Literarily yours,

 

FFF

[Guest biga]

I think CASH is a win-win situation with most young guys then they can spend it however they wish as one of the others said music perhaps or something to do with college or another hobby as one of the worlds worst present buyers i have found that cash is always good.Cheers Andy

[Guest Gentle Dude]

I just attended a nephew's 21st birthday party this month and I used to send him gift certificates and/or money with a birthday card, but this time I wanted to give him something more personal, so I asked my brother what his son wanted or needed. He told me that he likes tennis shoes and watches. I asked him for his shoe size, so I went to the Nike City Outlet store and bought him a pair of Nike shoes for $69.00 that's being retailed for $150.00 and an Armani watch at the Fossil Outlet Store for $65.00 that's retailed at Macy's for $195.00.

 

I was so happy to see the surprise and big smile on his face when he opened the gifts and started showing them off to all of his friends at the party saying "Look at what my uncle gave me."

 

I think gift certificates and money are nice but adding that personal touch to the gift tells the person your giving how much you really care.

[OneFinger]

BG,

 

This is a problem I also face with my niece and nephews. For the college-age guy I got a gift certificate to a computer store. He LOVED it.

 

Have also gone the shoe route for my younger nephew. I made sure I took him with me to the store to pick out exactly what he wanted. It was great spending an afternoon shopping with him.

 

I believe you mentioned your nephew was gay. Have you considered a subscription to The Advocate? His mother may not appreciate it but I'm sure he will!

 

OneFinger

[Guest Kevin 2]

<I think gift certificates and money are nice but adding that personal touch to the gift tells the person your giving how much you really care.>

 

I agree just MAKE SURE its something he wants or likes. I know first hand how many times someone has given me something that "they" thought I would like. Of course at his age being surprised with a birthday present isn't the same as a young child. Consider taking him out to dinner and shopping, that will ensure he gets something he wanted.

PS.. I NEVER refused cash either! LOL

[bluenix]

Notice how us old farts are not detracted by the subject line.

 

Here's a suggestion. Give the kid X number of shares of stock, which gift entails helping him pick the company and make the purchase. It would probably be interesting and educational for him, and it creates an opportunity for you to get to know him better. Maybe your sister will let you get more "extravagant" if it's contributing to his future.

[bluenix]

Oops. I see now she's your cousin, not your sister. The above is probably too much work for a second cousin.

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

>I went

>to the Nike City Outlet

>store and bought him a

>pair of Nike shoes for

>$69.00 that's being retailed for

>$150.00 and an Armani watch

>at the Fossil Outlet Store

>for $65.00 that's retailed at

>Macy's for $195.00.

 

 

Why do I get the feeling that you got a boner when you paid less than half of retail?

 

Before you start thinking you made a killing, remember that you're buying direct so they're STILL making a 100% mark-up.

 

Weren't you concerned that if the shoes didn't fit or that, even if it is an Armani watch (sorta), he didn't like it, he might want to exchange it and he would discover you bought discount and think that not only are you a "Gentle Dude" but also a "Cheap Bastard"?

 

Curiously yours,

 

FFF

[marc anthony]

What kind of escort board is this???

 

Hey... how come we are on a M4M escort message board and no one suggested hiring him a hot guy?!?! LOL. The only question you would need to ask is if he is a top or bottom! And if he is junior in college and on a water polo team, he is probably hot enough that you could get some really nice escort to give you a price break!!

[marc anthony]

RE: What kind of escort board is this???

 

BG: I hope you know I am kidding. Your "nephew" might like the gift, but your cousin would choke your neck!

[Guest Gentle Dude]

FFF

 

I'm not cheap at all, sweetie...I'm just a very smart and rich businessman. Why pay retail when you can buy it at wholesale or at a discount price? In fact, I took my nephew there two weeks after to buy some more tennis shoes and he couldn't believe that he paid almost double at Foot Locker for the shoes he was wearing at the time.

 

Now if you want Versace, Armani or other Italian suits or shoes, I can even show you where you can buy them hundreds and hundreds of dollars less than what Neiman, Bergdorf, and other dept. stores are selling them for. My cousin is an executive at Neiman in San Francisco and she told me where to buy them CHEAP.

 

No offense taken here and I hope I satisfied your curiousity.

 

GD

 

PS. I really enjoy your posts and all your colorful comments. Keep it up.

[Boston Guy]

Thanks, guys, for all the suggestions. You've given me some good ideas. :-)

[Traveller]

>Now if you want Versace, Armani

>or other Italian suits or

>shoes, I can even show

>you where you can buy

>them hundreds and hundreds of

>dollars less than what Neiman,

>Bergdorf, and other dept. stores

>are selling them for.

 

The guy's young. What about Roberto Cavalli. The store on Madison has some great clothes. He was featured in this week's NY Times style section.

 

Later.

 

PS. What about Ms. Haber, the Hamptons Hostess in the Sunday magazine? Truly priceless.

[Guest cmp]

Boston Guy,

 

I wish your cousin's son a happy birthday and all the best in life. I realise you probably can't convey him my wishes. Anyway, they are heartfelt.

[Boston Guy]

Thank you -- that was very kind of you. :-)