Ideas please - special present for my 30th?

Rich-Ti

It was my 30th birthday back in September - I couldn't decide what to ask for from my parents so they ended up giving me some cash. I want to get something that'll be at least a keepsake, if not something that'll get a lot of use over a number of years. I don't really want to get something 'throw away' so bike parts as such are out of the question, although something bike-related isn't to be completely ruled out as long as it's a keepsake or something special.

I had thought about adding to the money I'd been given and getting a DSLR (Sony A200 @ £250ish), but at the point of clicking the 'checkout now' button yesterday I had a change of heart as despite being a good and useful thing to own I don't think it'll actually get that much use.

Jewellery or a watch crossed my mind too but I got a nice enough watch for my 21st, got a ring from my sister for my 30th and I wouldn't wear a necklace - something bracelet-esque isn't to be ignored but they can look a bit camp!

So what other things are there that I should consider? I've got a couple of hundred to spend but could add to that (or match it) for the right kind of thing.

I'm also in New York next weekend so duty free or any savings that could be had out there might be useful if I can come up with something worth looking for.

What would you do? And keep it clean eh chaps?! :roll:

Ieuanllan

Maybe a smallish ingot of precious metal, gold or platinum, or some sovereigns?
They look nice and gain value for future generations.

I keep meaning to buy that sort of thing as investments, but never quite manage it!

meagain

"got a ring from my sister for my 30th and I wouldn't wear a necklace - something bracelet-esque isn't to be ignored but they can look a bit camp!"

That's me and my first thoughts put in place then - I wear 12 rings, 4 neck chains and 3 bracelets! ONE of the last could be quite tasteful and not TOO camp, honest!
Oh and two ear studs....
OTOH, if my parents had ever given me a present after my teens I'd have just kept the cheque as a curiosity!

hopper1

Depending on your job, you might buy a nice pen!
Mont Blanc Starwalker, about 200 quid, very nice, but only if you'll use it.
Bracelets of 'cuffs' are not necessarily 'gay', depends on the design, I guess.
My first choice would have been a watch, but you've already got one!

Rich-Ti

Ooh yeah, a pen isn't a bad idea - I always used to fancy a Porsche one! 8)

Will look into that, but keep them coming

mrushton

Rich-Ti wrote:

Ooh yeah, a pen isn't a bad idea - I always used to fancy a Porsche one! 8)

Will look into that, but keep them coming

It was Lamy who made the Porsche ones (Cartier take Parker cartridges so why not get a Parker?

www.penhome.co.uk has some nice antique ones.

Rich-Ti

mrushton wrote:

It was Lamy who made the Porsche ones (Cartier take Parker cartridges so why not get a Parker?

www.penhome.co.uk has some nice antique ones.

Because the Porsche ones look nice and Parker don't?! I'm not fussed who makes the bloody refills!

And antique?! Why would I want an antique one?! I wouldn't know what the hell I was buying, and it'd never get used! :roll:

hopper1

Rich-Ti
Get the Mont Blanc Starwalker....In Diamond cut rubber & Platinum, absolute cracker, and timeless classic!

Oh, and it would be the perfect companion to your Rapha Training diary!!

Crapaud

meagain wrote:

... I wear 12 rings, 4 neck chains and 3 bracelets! ...

I'm really poor at geography, but just how close is Nottingham to Sellafield?

Rich-Ti, how about a fancy SOS necklace or bracelet? You know, one of these things with your blood type, allergies etc. info on them. (Vaguely bike related should the worst happen.)

BUICK

Got a couple of hundred? Some Rapha socks? :twisted:

Ken Night

A really nice bike frame....made to measure or Ti? Bought with the view to keeping it a very long time, changing the componentry as you go.....?

Rich-Ti

Ken Night wrote:

A really nice bike frame....made to measure or Ti? Bought with the view to keeping it a very long time, changing the componentry as you go.....?

Great idea Ken, but a bit too many £££ for my budget!

OffTheBackAdam

The best whore you can get for your money?
Oops.missed the "Keep it clean" bit :oops:

Rich-Ti

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

The best whore you can get for your money?

It was only a matter of time... :roll:

Aggieboy

May I suggest a piece of art. A painting/sculpture that you can enjoy forever and will one day remind you of your parents and their generosity on your 30th.

hammerite

How about doing something really memorable? If your lucky you won't start to lose your memory for a good few years, so you could say it's a keepsake.

Onan

meagain wrote:

"got a ring from my sister for my 30th and I wouldn't wear a necklace - something bracelet-esque isn't to be ignored but they can look a bit camp!"

That's me and my first thoughts put in place then - I wear 12 rings, 4 neck chains and 3 bracelets! ONE of the last could be quite tasteful and not TOO camp, honest!
Oh and two ear studs....
OTOH, if my parents had ever given me a present after my teens I'd have just kept the cheque as a curiosity!

My parents have continued to buy me stuff, or chuck big lumps of cash at me at christmas, and on my birthdays too.

I'm 26 now, and I think it's getting slightly unseemly, but there's no way I'm going to ask them to stop. That would be madness.

Rich-Ti

A fine suggestion Aggieboy - duly taken on board and noted for research in the morning 8)

aarw

a weekend trip to see a spring classic?

not something you can hold in your hand, but take lots of photo's and get a few with your favourite riders and you'll have something worth remembering. if you're into that sort of thing.

hammerite

aarw wrote:

a weekend trip to see a spring classic?

not something you can hold in your hand, but take lots of photo's and get a few with your favourite riders and you'll have something worth remembering. if you're into that sort of thing.

exactly the sort of lines I was thinking.

As far as presents go it wasn't a massive cost or any big hassle for all concerned, but for my last birthday (which coincidentally was also my 30th) my OH got me a taster session on the velodrome at Manchester, and tickets to see the World Champs. I had a great time at both and will certainly remember those days for a long time.

ride_whenever

How about, going in a many tangent off jewellery...


A SWORD!

Hang it above your mantlepiece and it'll come in useful if you ever start commuting

daniel_b

How about a Velodrome training session at either Southampton or Manchester?

I have no idea where your based........