Please help me!!

[nicrite]

My boyfried has his 18th birthday coming up, and obviously this is the so called 'big one', so I was wondering if anyone could come up with any ideas of what I could get him that will be special and last forever and ever?

[sft42]

Buy him a 6 pack of lager, a good curry and if he's a typical male you and a good looking female friend having a romp on your bed then invite him to join in, and he'll be in seventh heaven!

[KEJ2000]

...Just ignore sft42. You need not abase yourself (i.e., lower your own ethics) to make your boyfriend happy... and if he loves you, that wouldn't make him happy either! Some ideas are a photo of the two of you in a very nice frame; or a photo album containing pictures of you, him, and places you've seen together. One very simple thing that my former boyfriend did for me that I will treasure forever is this: He gave me a beautiful vase containing many small strips of paper, folded in half. On each strip of paper was written a favorite memory of his of our time together. For example, on one strip, he wrote, "I'll never forget how you looked the first time I saw you, in your blue dress, with your hair in a ponytail..." I never knew that he even *remembered* how I was dressed on that day. Other examples: "On our first date at Cafe Tirolo, you ordered the fried zucchini and a Coke..." "On August 28, at work, you winked at me when our co-workers weren't looking." They were all things that I never realized he even noticed or remembered!!! Dozens of things. Now, even though he and I are no longer together (sadly enough), I still treasure that gift and I always will !!! Just think "sentimental" and "creative", and you will do fine... it doesn't take a lot of money to find the perfect gift-- just a lot of love!

[brawburd]

My favourite unusual gift is a caricature. I use this artist, who is absolutely excellent and very caring about what she produces (no, we are not related and I'm not on commission). The site is self explanatory, but basically all you need is a couple of good photos and some "in-jokes", stories and personal details. She then puts it together with some sort of theme. Each one I have had done has been well received and very true to the person. http://www.meggymoo.co.uk/

[KEJ2000]

Or, if the two of you haven't gotten that serious yet, here are other ideas! Take him to a pretty outdoors location and surprise him with a picnic lunch that you have packed (the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they say)...and you don't need to own a picnic basket, bags will do fine (don't forget the old blanket to sit upon!)... Buy tickets to a performance that you'll see together... If he's an animal-lover, you could buy him a small pet such as a Betta fish in a bowl, and fish food. The fish won't last forever and ever, but the memories certainly will !

[Buffy]

Maybe a pocket watch? Although those can be expensive (if they are antique, or real gold), they don't have to be. You might find a super deal on eBay, or an affordable one at a department store. If there is money left over, you could have it engraved with a special inscription, such as "On the occasion of your 18th birthday, 26 September 2003, Love, [your name]." If not a pocket watch, then a regular, nice wristwatch could work, too! Attach a card/note saying something sweet like, "...To count the hours and minutes until we next see each other."

[Buffy]

Oh, and don't underestimate the power of giving him a gift certificate... especially if he is a new boyfriend that you've only met recently. Some people think it's impersonal, but I feel that it shows you care enough to make sure he will receive an item that he really wants! In college, I gave a new boyfriend a gift certificate to the local record store, and he bought a few CDs that he was really happy with, as I knew because he played them each a million times. Also, in this age of technology, another idea is to give him a cell phone, so that he will be able to talk to you no matter where he is. If you know his parents, you could ask them in advance if they'd be willing to give him the gift of cell phone service!!! They might love the idea of a "joint gift" from you and from them. This could even strengthen your bond with his folks-- never a bad thing!!

[archbishop]

I prefer sft42s idea.

[Lennon]

How about 18 presents? I know you're thinking 'woah, hello? Budget!' but it doesn't have to be as drastic as it sounds. I did it for my best mates 21st. I started with little one's like a lottery ticket, incense/candles, and girly make up and stuff and the 21st present was the most important, and it was a collage in a massive frame with pics of us two. We've known each other since we were 5, so I even put in scraps from homework diaries etc. You could do the same, but maybe get CDs instead of makeup and in the collage, maybe do cinema ticket stubs or receipts from a special day out - silly things, which I always keep.

[archbishop]

Come on nicrite.Lennon deserves 3 stars for that answer.Lennon you must be a female of the species,why didn't I meet you 30 years ago.

[Janetex]

Lots of good ideas here (stop dreaming sft). Budget can be a problem. Something I have in my keepsake box is a book of mother's day vouchers my daughter made (tried to use them after 20 years, she says they're not valid). You could make 18 vouchers - a full body massage, dinner, movies, etc.

[KEJ2000]

This is not a chat room, Archbishop! Your responses are not answers. Surely you can think of an actual answer to contribute. I'm amazed that the Ed hasn't pounced on you by now.

[andjac]

sft 42's still looks the best yet

[archbishop]

KEJ2000 - He does I assure you.

[nicrite]

Wow! Thanks everyone! Some really helpful stuff- especially the collage, im definately guna do that as part of my present. And as for your idea SFT42 well Ive still got a month to go til his birthday so you'll just have to wait and see what happens....