To ask for 30th birthday gift ideas?

[carringtonm]

My partner is 30 in November and I'm struggling to think of good present ideas for him.

He's very much into sports - football, cricket and golf are favourites. He likes food and eating out, some comedy (but not the more mainstream stand up - he loves improv), technology, Tame Impala/Foals type music and books. He always complains about not having enough clothes but sticks to the same stuff because he doesn't know what to buy (and he vetoes a lot of my suggestions 😂).

He runs a company that publishes a business technology magazine (so is very knowledgeable on tech - far more so than me) and we have a one year old son.

I've seen threads like these work wonders before so any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Missed out that he likes ales and red wine too!

What's your budget?

Maybe around £200 but I would go higher for a really great gift. I find that I always get him the same things every birthday and Christmas and I feel like he deserves more effort! I just struggle for ideas!

This is such a lovely idea! On the flip side I'm 30 towards the end of this year and have no idea what to say when my DH and family ask me what I want!

It's my 30th next year so I'm hoping he'll reciprocate if I absolutely nail his birthday present 😂

And he deserves a fantastic gift - he's just the best daddy and does everything he possibly can to make me and our son happy 🥰

I'm sure you'll both have a wonderful birthday! You've listed so many good ideas for presents already.

You said he likes food, wine and ale. Have you looked on groupon/wowcher etc for deals or experiences?

It's my DP's 30th at the beginning of next year and I'm planning on buying him 30 presents which will include things he either needs or has wanted, bits of sweets but also a couple of things he can keep

An experience type present would be good like tickets to an event or something

A friend of mine paid for her DH to have a go on the longest zip wire in London followed by a James Bond speed boat style trip down the Thames. But don’t know if your DH would like that?! I thought they were novel ideas

@theydontknowweknow I thought about 30 smaller presents but then I worried that he'd just end up with bits and pieces he won't use and there won't be a memorable gift. I'd like him to be able to think back and remember what we got him for his 30th if that makes sense. Lovely idea if you know your partner will like it though ☺️

@Snooks1971 Haha, I should have put in the OP that he doesn't like heights! Sounds like a great present though!

@Shoxfordian I agree, just not sure what!

@SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace Hadn't thought of voucher sites - thanks!

If you can get babysitting, what about a night away somewhere in a nice city (but not-so-expensive accom...e.g. a purple palace, or a private room in a youth hostel) with meal + comedy/music concert?

Or day trip to Paris if you're near enough a Eurostar stat - whizz out, croissants on train, wander around, arrange a lovely lunch and wine tasting in a trendy wine bar?

*Eurostar station

What about taking him to Le Gavroche, Galvin at Windows or Dinner by Heston? They are real foodie experiences and if the evening meal is too much of a stretch they all offer set lunch menus.

Or a cocktail making class?

Do you like cricket or football too? Maybe tickets to a match plus a stay in a hotel after

Have a look on groupon for hotel deals

Don't do the 30 presents thing! Not only do we all need to stop buying so much stuff, on £200.00 the average present would be £6.50

Total waste. Book a night away or tickets to something. Country pub with a fire and a decent food menu

In my friendship group we mainly took our DPs away for a weekend somewhere for their 30th. Either to an exciting city or for a romantic country hotel

I'm leaning towards a weekend or night away with some sort of experience/event. Foodie restaurant sounds great! We're in Norfolk if anyone can recommend any other places within a couple of hours' drive.

Can anyone recommend any improv-style comedy clubs or anything?

Babysitting overnight is no problem - we're very lucky with that.

Also, I absolutely HATE sport! 😂 So won't be taking him to a match - I would buy him tickets to go with someone else but he does tend to just buy that sort of thing himself. He went to the last Ashes game and goes to football at least monthly (he supports our local premier league team and used to work at the club so gets free tickets anyway).

Thanks for the ideas so far!

A piece of art? Something from the affordable art fair or a commissioned painting of him and your ds.

Trip to Lord's or the Oval with a mate (or you if you like cricket too) complete with hospitality.

Shirt from a tailor with proper grown up underwear and socks that are usually just a bit too expensive to justify.

A cooking / intro to plumbing experience

@Becles Great ideas. It's a running joke that he's useless at DIY so he would either find a plumbing course hilarious or think it's a not-so-subtle dig at him to be more 'manly' 😂

How about this experience www.redletterdays.co.uk/experience/ref/nnddb/a-brewer-for-a-day-for-two

You get to make your own beer!

And it's in Norfolk

@5foot5 Love this! We live in Norwich and go to this place regularly and I hadn't realised they do this. I might suggest this to his mum because she needs an idea too, plus this wouldn't require an overnight stay.