30Th Birthday Present for Dear Hubby and Daddy-o

For my husband's 30th (pre-children), I decided we needed to shake things up a bit...I don't know where you live, but I made plans to go to the Riverboat Casino across the border in Indiana. I made it a surprise, a month before his birthday just so he wouldn't get suspicious.

It was awsome. Essentially you are planning a group outing - so you have to have about 25 people commit. I asked everyone to cover the "group admission" charge for themselves. The casino person organized to have a tour bus meet at a local bar, all of our friends came early, then a friend who was supposed to take by husband golfing arrived early and they decided to go to the local bar for a beer first. Guess who they met!

I had preordered a sheet cake, decorated the bus and had the movie "casino" playing on the bus for the ride there, along with coolers of beer & soda. The ride there was a total RIOT. We got wrist bands and meal tickets when we got to the casino. We had a great time there and we didn't have to worry about someone driving home drunk. We had a relaxing late ride home and everyone was invited to come back to continue the festivities at our house.

I felt awkward asking everyone to pay for themselves but NO ONE cared! Everyone thought it was an awsome idea, and the best part was that it worked for our parents, friends and even elderly family. I've been asked if I'm going to do the same for his 40th because everyone had such a good time.

He'll appreciate having some time that's all about HIM instead of "the family", "being Daddy", etc. Besides, you can still do something cute with your son, just don't make that the ONLY thing.

Hope this helps!

My husband graduated from college 2 weeks after our daughter was born and I got him a very nice pair of sunglasses he had been wanting for a gift. I made the card from the baby and wrote that the baby wanted his Daddy to look cool at his graduation. My husband loved the card and was really surprised with the gift. He kept telling everyone that the baby had picked out the sunglasses! Maybe there is something similar that he really wants?

Annie

Hi D.,

my husband actually got those shirts from his mother for father's day. he only wore it once, to a family function... although he thinks they're cute - he also doesn't want to look like a big tool (his words).

for my husbands 30th b-day i threw him an adult-only surprise party... went on until about 4 am- that was a good time!

what kind of stuff is your man into? my husband is not into cars, he's not into gadgets - he likes video games, hanging with his friends, and bar-type activities (darts, billiards, etc.)

this year for his birthday i am getting him a neon sign made for the basement bar (we had a 16 foot bar put in a couple years ago and havent really been able to do much entertaining due to me being pregnant and having babies the last two years). I am also getting him a poker for our firepit outside.

so, what is your guy into? i would get him something that he will enjoy, as a guy... not as a dad. save the gifts from the kids, for fathers day... just my thoughts :)

Here's the thing - very few men love 'cute' ideas. As a mom, it's totally precious to have a matching t-shirt, picture frame, hand painted dish, or some other sort of knick-knack that is personalized. I would absolutely adore something like that! However, my husband (and many like him) don't really get into the whole sentimental thing. When you plan on gifts for your husband, think about what *he* thinks is awesome, not what *you* think is cute.

What is he into? Sports, racing, reading, music? Maybe you get him a set of tickets to a Cubs/Sox game in seats better than you would normally sit. Package with baseball tickets with the 'cute' items such as a box of popcorn or crackerjacks.

Hi, if you're husband play video games and you don't already have it, I strongly suggest Guitar Hero III. My husband is 33 and we have it and it's great. He likes to play it when the kids go to bed or with our 7 yr. old daughter. I play it too. It's a lot of fun to just rock out or see how bad we suck. Good Luck!

When my husband turned 30 (pre-children), I made it a year long event. His birthday is on the 14th of the month, so every month on the 14th I gave him a gift. Some gifts were small like a dvd or a magazine subscription he would like;others were a little bigger like tickets to a concert. He enjoyed his little surprises all year long. Good luck with your decision!

hi D.,

I surprised my hubby on his 40th with a big-screen t.v. Of course, I get to enjoy it too ;-D He got a new Weber Grill two Father's Days ago from our daughter.

Also, a few years ago I got him a puppy. But this was only because he really, really wanted a Bulldog and I did not want a dog that large, so I researched the internet, connected with some breeders and purchased a French Bulldog - he was thrilled (it's a smaller version of a bulldog).

When I was pregnant (and had no desire to go anywhere) I got him a limo and tickets for him and his buddies to a rock concert - he really liked that too.

Really depends what he's into - have fun!

W.

I agree with some of previous posts...guys just don't seem as sentimental as us ladies. For his 40th, maybe plan a golf day/weekend with his buddies (or hunting/fishing). Tickets for him and buddies to sports event. Night out for the two of you... favorite restaurant, guy flick. And maybe take a picture taken of your son holding a 30 sign and put that in a frame for his office or even just in a card.

D.,
I think probably what he wants most is a night out with you. Find a babysitter and have a romantic night out. Or suprise him with a few friends at a local restaurant. Their will be plenty of birthdays to come when your son will be included. Good Luck!

How about a"guys" weekend? You could surprise him by Sending him to play golf at his favorite course, or one he has always wanted to try with one of his buddies. Or a little closer to home...If he likes to play cards you could invite all this friends for a Evening of cards and food. You could pre-cook the brats and make-up the hamburgers, get chips and dip, paper plates (so you don't have a lot of clean-up). Then you and the baby could stay with friends or family and the guys can remember what it was like to "be young" by staying up late and telling the "remember when" stories.
I think sometimes the men just want a little bit of ALL ABOUT ME time and not an actual present, but I'm sure whatever you do he will realize you put a lot of thought into and love it no matter what!