I’m not being unreasonable but need a poll and help with choosing a present.

[Sookisssss]

It’s DP’s 40th next month. We don’t normally spend a lot on each other, but obviously I’m spending more this year due to it being a big one.

I did want to get him something signed by his favourite author but I couldn’t find anything reasonably priced.

I had decided to get him a newspaper from the day he was born, a programme for his football team for a match played the weekend he was born, and a first edition of It which was released in 1986. He likes Stephen King but hasn’t read It. He loved Pet Semetary. Phantom of the Opera also debuted on his actual birthday so I was going to get a programme for that although I don’t think he’s ever been to the theatre.

However, a book signed by his favourite author has just gone on sale. The book is in Italian so he could never read it. I can’t buy both this and It.

Which would you prefer? Any other suggestions welcome too.

YABU - It
YANBU - Signed Italian book

Thank you! He’s not a huge film lover. He likes documentaries and series’ but doesn’t watch films much.

That is good to hear.

My gut sort of leans this way.

I'd go for the first edition Stephen King. That is a seriously nice present which will keep its value. Imagine if King did a publicity tour in UK and he got him to sign it - it would then be worth even more - both materially and sentimentally.

I'm never sure about things from the day you were born. They have no nostalgia value because you were too young to be aware of them. Stuff he loved in his teens might be more appreciated. But if he likes Stephen King anyway, that's a safer bet than the rest. I definitely wouldn't go for a book he can't read, just because it was signed.

I think he will think you’ve taken leave of your senses if you give him a Phantom of the Opera programme then!

I think you’re obsessing with 1986 too much and should just get him something he likes.

Nah he won’t, he’ll like it. He’ll like everything I’ve said, it’s just which ‘main’ present to get him.

That;s not the point. In the original language it's exclusively the work of the author. In translation it's someone elses's interpretation of the author's work. That's not the same thing.

I voted for the book he can read, but you clearly think he will want the signed Italian book and make a strong argument for it, so just get him that?

No I know, I just meant that it wouldn’t be worth paying the extra for French rather than Italian for him.

I’m just very torn. I don’t think it matters that he can’t read it, because he’s got an English copy he’s already read, but I think he’d also enjoy having a Stephen King first edition.

What about a very nice coffee machine. Bean to cup? They can be great if he likes coffee

Thank you. He likes cheap Nescafé instant coffee 😅.

Excellent point.

Get him a French dictionary to go with it then!

You won’t get the answers you’re looking for here. Everyone is rich here when you post about being skint until you post something that sounds middle class. At which point everyone is working class and thinks anything even remotely cultured is ridiculous, ostentatious and braggy.

Get him some beer and give him a BJ.

I’m joking, I have no idea but I think it’s lovely that you’re so thoughtful, I hope he’s as nice to you as you are to him.

Does he listen to music (don’t tell me. He doesn’t)
But if he did, a copy of The Stones’ ‘40 Licks’?

I’m not spending £1000 and he isn’t going to read it in French. Which I’m sure you already understand.

He’ll get those too 😉.

Thank you. That is what he appreciates more than anything really, thoughtfulness. And he is great back.

I think you are far too focused on 1986 - I can't imagine my DP being impressed with any of that.
Definitely not the POTO if he doesn't even go to the theatre.
I voted for It, but I'd rather have a box set than a 1st edition.
Does he collect or show interest in first editions?
Have you asked what he might like?

He likes Smooth Radio. Sometimes he goes to Smooth Relax if normal Smooth is too upbeat.

So teach him about expanding his enjoyment!
He’s entering his Roaring Forties and you describe a bloke very, very set in his ways, and now’s a great time to try a bit of excellence here and there!

(Order him 40 bottles of delicious Hook Norton Ale, delivered to him with an inscribed glass?)

Does he collect other signed books? That would sway my vote. If yes, then the book being Italian is fine. I collect signed books and it would mean loads to me to have signed copies of my favourites. And I wouldn’t be reading them because I wouldn’t want to accidentally ruin them.

However, if he doesn’t collect signed books generally, I’m not sure it would be a great idea.

Then again, does he collect first editions? I know many, many readers who couldn’t care less about the edition or signed copies.

He wouldn’t tell me anything he wants. He’s struggling to think of anything to tell his mother.

A box set of books? I often buy him books, I want this to be a bit more special.

Maybe Guinness and Jaegar.

He’s happy and I have no wish to change him.

He doesn’t but he does have signed footballs, Cricket bats etc.

This is interesting. Any idea why he would collect those signed but not books? That might point you in one direction or another.