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Original poster

What can I buy a 30 year old man?

33 replies

Unusualusernames · 15/04/2020 22:37

Posting for traffic (sorry).

Currently working from home and it's my relatively new (two months) work colleague's 20th next week.

He's lovely and a breath of fresh air to line manage after a nightmare experience previously.

I'd really like to get him a present (around £20 budget) but what do you get a 30 year old man? I have no clue.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 15/04/2020 22:38

Don't buy him anything, just tell him (unrelated to his birthday) that you think he's doing a great job and you're dealing enjoying working with him.

I think it would be a bit weird to buy him a birthday present.

NuffSaidSam · 15/04/2020 22:39

*really enjoying!

Shosha1 · 15/04/2020 22:41

I read that as where can I buy a 30 year old man.

Was wondering what you wanted him for 😃😃😃😃😃🙂🙂

Daftodil · 15/04/2020 22:42

Gift voucher
Swiss army tool
Something with bluetooth
Beer

Alez · 15/04/2020 22:42

Agree it would be weird to get him a present. Especially as it would be tricky to get it to him. Just give him some good feedback!

Disquieted1 · 15/04/2020 22:42

Buy him nothing. You're his boss, not his mate.

Laiste · 15/04/2020 22:49

@Shosha1

Same here! 3 times now i've read it as Where can i buy a 30 year old man Grin

Laiste · 15/04/2020 22:51

AND ... is he 20 or 30?

noworklifebalance · 15/04/2020 22:54

Agree with PPs - very odd to buy him a gift esp since you have only worked together for 2 months and almost half of that would have been during lockdown (separately, I am assuming). Also blurring of boundaries and loss of credibility as his senior.

trinity0097 · 15/04/2020 22:55

I’m waiting for an ambuLance to arrive as I knocked myself out when I got out the bath! Read that as ‘where can I buy a....’

MrsEricBana · 15/04/2020 22:57

I read that as where can I buy a 30 year old man
Me too!
Don't buy him anything. Just send a happy birthday message and say you enjoy working with him, hope he has a lovely day etc

WorraLiberty · 15/04/2020 22:59

I also read it as 'where can I buy' Grin

I don't think it's weird though. My line manager buys us all little birthday presents. I suppose it depends on what the 'done thing' is within your team.

OP, I'd play safe with an Amazon voucher. I have a 20 year old DS and I know that's what he'd prefer.

raisydenton · 15/04/2020 23:08

Amazon voucher, pack of beer , bottle of booze . All fairly generic and impersonal enough. Can you do a whip-round? I was chuffed to bits when my team had a whip round and got me gin. Although Lockdown could Make it tricky a a look like you have put too much effort in- I wouldn't expect or give anything during lockdown other than a text or email.

WorraLiberty · 15/04/2020 23:12

Actually it was a friend's birthday yesterday and the gift I ordered her two weeks ago still hasn't arrived. It's coming via Royal Mail and was dispatched over a week ago, so maybe an Amazon e-voucher is the best bet.

Plus he might not drink alcohol, even if you could get it delivered to him.

ErrolTheDragon · 15/04/2020 23:15

A decent bottle of wine.

Grinall the people misreading as 'where...' - is this some sort of subconscious desire brought about by lockdown? (I read it properly, I hasten to add)

WorraLiberty · 15/04/2020 23:18

is this some sort of subconscious desire brought about by lockdown?

Do you happen to know if Amazon deliver them? Grin

Asking for a friend.

NameChangedToProtect1 · 15/04/2020 23:22

30? A 20 year old woman!!!!!

Original poster
Unusualusernames · 15/04/2020 23:26

I'm surprised people find it weird. There's nothing creepy about it. He knows I'm happily married. I forgot mumsnet is quite a bizarre place 🤷🏻‍♀️. I also don't think he would see it as unprofessional. It's his 30th. He's been a godsend and I really want to let him know he's appreciated. I feel a bit bad for him because he lives away from his family and I know he's been finding lockdown quite tough. I would buy any of the rest of my team a present too. They're all great. I will be doing the same for the rest of them when it's their birthday too.

OP posts:
Pieceofpurplesky · 15/04/2020 23:33

Get a cake, put a banner up and treat the team to a glass of fizz/juice whatever in his honour.

Slith · 15/04/2020 23:35

A 30 year old woman?

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 15/04/2020 23:48

@Shosha1 - and now I've read thru, lots of others - so glad it wasn't just me!

£20 is a lot to spend on a team members birthday - sets a weird precedent, I wouldn't.
If was in the office, I might take cake or sweets in.
Online drinks with wider team by zoom to celebrate maybe?
Silly/Happy Birthday zoom backgrounds.

Egghead68 · 15/04/2020 23:51

Amazon voucher from the whole team.

everythingbackbutyou · 15/04/2020 23:55

Another "Where can I buy..." victim right here Grin

CandyLeBonBon · 15/04/2020 23:59

Me too @Shosha1

Prisonbreak · 15/04/2020 23:59

I also wouldn’t buy him anything. A text would be the most you would get from me. In fact, I don’t think after knowing someone only 2 months I would even know their birthday so even a text seems unlikely

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