Need suggestions for the Wife's 50th birthday

[P&R Fan]

In 2 weeks my lovely Wife of 21 years turns 50. (I'm only 45, she's my Cougar).
I need suggestions for presents for this momentous occasion. First, here's what I know is out. Jewelry never works. She wears her wedding ring and costume earrings. I've bought her a string of pearls and diamond earrings and she never wears them. I could never buy her clothes as I have no taste in that regard, she dresses me (and does a darn good job of it). I buy her flowers several times a month, so that's nothing special. She doesn't really wear perfume very often. I like to be romantic whenever possible. For Christmas one year I got her a full length mirror with a brass plaque with a poem I wrote inscribed on it. It said "Sandra's Magic Mirror" and the poem read as follows. "Behold your Beauty, Charm and Grace, the Image never lies, this Magic Mirror beckons you, to see you through MY eyes". She liked that.
I'm out of ideas. A trip would be nice and I may go for that, but being self employed it's hard to get away. Any good ideas would be appreciated.
And, no, she doesn't want a gun, I already suggested that, plus she knows she's gonna get all mine when I assume room temperature anyway.
HELP!!!

 

[M28]

I buy her flowers several times a month, so that's nothing special. For Christmas one year I got her a full length mirror with a brass plaque with a poem I wrote inscribed on it. It said "Sandra's Magic Mirror" and the poem read as follows. "Behold your Beauty, Charm and Grace, the Image never lies, this Magic Mirror beckons you, to see you through MY eyes".

....and you want advice from this outfit? I think we should be taking a page out of your notebook!

Brian~

 

[Chef]

When I had my full time business and didn't have time to take off I would offer my boss/better half a spa weekend without me (she sometimes reciprocated). Always works wonders. Regards, Chef

 

[Onomea]

I like the trip for two, despite what you say about it being hard to get away as you are self employed. In a way, that it is hard for you to do makes it all the more special because she knows it's hard for you to do. Just send an email a week in advance to all your clients who may need you over the two/three days or so that you are gone, and say you will not be available doing those two days for personal reasons. And, when gone, do not answer your cell or email.

 

[blujax01]

Go to Flagstaff and take the Grand Canyon tour via a steam locomotive. Then the second day, take the Painted Desert tour via tour bus.


Tell me how it was. My wife and I were going to do that this year but got financially pre-empted.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

It depends what she likes to do.

I was born in Des Moines, and lived in Iowa City and Spirit Lake for a while, and given the demands of your business I am thinking this way. . .

If she like to sew, or just likes fabrics and such, take her down to the Liberty Fabrics store in Kalona. . .It's better than the store they have in New York City, and then a stop at the Amana Colonies on the way back, or to The Faithful Pilot Restaurant in LeClair. . .some of the best eating ever, and with enough charm to let her know you care.

There's the Old Brewery Art Gallery in Guttenberg, which dates to 1858, and is owned by a charming transplanted Iranian couple, both artists. I have one of their prints, "The Good Earth," a view across the Mississippi from just below Guttenberg into Wisconsin, in my guest bedroom.

If she likes architecture and houses, take her to see Cedar Bluff, one of only 19 of the many houses that he designed that Frank Lloyd Wright actually signed (little red ceramic plaque to the right of the front door). It is perched on a limestone bluff overlooking the Wapsipinicon River near Quasqueton in Buchanan County. See the attached pictures. Wright not only designed the house, but everything -- and I mean everything -- in it, including the furniture, table ware, and the landscaping. Lowell Walter, for whom Wright built the house, was a trucking magnate in Iowa in the '40s, and the first thing Wright did was commandeer his fleet of dump trucks to move in some incredible amount of top soil so that the site (which was bare limestone) could be landscaped. Wright then personally specified the type and location of every single tree and plant on the property. This may be the finest example of his architectural vision anyplace, including Falling Water in Pennsylvania, or, Wingspread, in Racine, Wisconsin.

I will probe the memory bank to see if I can come up with other ideas, but you get the gist, and I think you can give her a splendid 50th birthday without ever leaving Eastern Iowa.

Oh, one other idea: don't you drive. Rent a limo with a driver, and make sure the bar is stocked with a good champagne. Taittinger at about $40.00 a bottle would be my recommendation. See, you can drink and drive!


Bullseye

 

[oldman45]

For my wife's 40th anniversary, I think I will take her to the Bahama Islands.

For the 50th, I will go back and get her.

 

[cincinnatijim]

Most of the ladies I know like the Ameribag. It's a kidney shaped purse that is very easy on the back. I special ordered one in leather and my wife of 48 years (at the time) said it was the best anniversary present I ever bought her. The size small is adequate for most ladies according to the ladies who frequent our AAA office.

 

[shooboy]

Get her a Shooboy Gunsmithing Hammer with polished brass endcap, inset with a S&W 500 Magnum round, 500 mag = 50 years. She will love it, and if she doesn't, you still have an great gunsmithing hammer !!! Shoo

 

[Odinkar]

Try message in a bottle. I can't remember the web address, but you can pick different shape glass bottles and have a message put into it. I came in a really nice wood package. You can write the message or they have ones. Hope this helps.

 

[Bruce51]

Maybe she would like to go to a day spa. Seems to be a girl thing where a few of them go to get spruced up.

Bruce

 

[sipowicz]

On my wife's birthday she asked me to take her someplace she's never been...so I walked her into the kitchen.

 

[shooboy]

Good one Sip, you're killin' me, LOL, Shoo

 

[gunlovingirl]

Don't have any gift suggestions, but you wouldn't happen to have a twin brother who's single would you? Seriously, from the sounds of it, the best gift you ever gave her was yourself. Oh, you probably better not tell her that.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Money always works for me.

 

[mg357]

i have a small suggestion you could always write her a nice birthday letter and have it put into a nice frame.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

Just make VERY sure there is no mention of, or reference of any kind, to the number 50 on anything!!!...Card, cake, banners,...nothing!!!...

 

[TNDixieGirl]

As a wife that is married to a self-employed man, I just have to say that I absolutely 1,000,000,000,000,000,000% think this is the best suggestion you've received.

I like the trip for two, despite what you say about it being hard to get away as you are self employed. In a way, that it is hard for you to do makes it all the more special because she knows it's hard for you to do. Just send an email a week in advance to all your clients who may need you over the two/three days or so that you are gone, and say you will not be available doing those two days for personal reasons. And, when gone, do not answer your cell or email.

 

[truckemup97]

Since it's close to Halloween, go out to the shop and make a small coffin, about 12" tall. The go down to the liquor store and get a bottle of Old Crow. Put the bottle in the coffin and wrap it up with a nice bow.



On second thought, that might not be such a great idea.

 

[rocketdog]

A week in London, England, or Paris, France....