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

This is a truly bizarre thread! Why does anyone presume to tell the OP what her own husband will and will not like?! Sure, the presents are a little unconventional but some people are unconventional and have interests that differ from mine or yours!

FWIW, I think I would prefer a first edition of a book I'd probably read than a signed copy of one in a language I have no connection to - even if it was my favourite book.

Because he inherited them from his dad, and he only took up reading a few years ago.

Thank you! This is the sort of opinion I was looking for.

This makes me think the signed book isn’t a great idea as a meaningful gift.

Go for the signed copy of It. I think that’s cool. He can read it, and imagine Stephen King signing his book as he reads it.

Don’t go for the signed Papillon. Instead - and I mean this - hunt for it in English for the next ten years. You’ll need something when he’s 50 too!

I sway from thinking he’d absolutely love to have a book that Henri Charierre held to that he’d love a SK first edition. Don’t know what to do.

What would you suggest?

The originally French but translated to Italian book for a man who only reads English is just a bit wrong. I could get behind a French or English version and would think it would potentially be a great present. I think you are making the mistake of thinking this Italian version will be almost as good and so a decent affordable option for you. But it doesn’t work at all, just a bit meh…err what is this?, and so it’s a false economy. If you can’t afford the English or French version choose something else.

Long way of saying, I vote IT!

I’ve seen plenty of copies of £500+ Papillon. My budget is £200. I love him and he loves Papillon, but I’m not spending that.

Yeah, you are massively missing the point.

One of my DC is 40 and this year has been an endless round of weekends away with all their friends who are also of the same age. That’s what they’ve all chosen as presents - great times spent with friends making memories. It sounds like you’re proposing to get him gifts that are based on memories of the past - which is fine, but can’t you think of something that looks to memories in the future?

Is Phantom of the Opera playing anywhere?
Take him to a real performance.

He wouldn’t read the English or French version either. He’s already read it and he already owns it. It is about the signature.

He can knock himself out with weekends away with his friends.

Well, no, I’m not 😂.

The Italian version is utterly meaningless. It’s not the author’s work - it’s the translator’s.
You may as well just buy the author’s autograph on a soiled napkin.

I would happily buy a signed napkin. It is the signature that is the important thing. If I could get a signed photo or card or napkin, that would be much better because it can be displayed more easily.

The pleasure for him will be that the author held the book and signed it.

To me, £200 seems a lot for what's essentially a decoration because he can't read it. But you presumably know him best.

I think I'd be cautious to get so many "collectables" as gifts at one time. I'd be worried it could fall a bit flat.

The paper and football programme are just cheap little things. The main present is the book.

Then if you're certain the book is what's going to be a big hit, maybe swap out the other gifts to give a bit more variety?

I think I'd have to be very certain a gift was going to be loved to spend that amount of until though.

I’m certain he’d love both of them, I just don’t know which more.

Any ideas about what I could swap them for? The football programme is arriving today and was only £3 so he’s definitely getting that.

You seem quite determined that he’ll love all the gifts you’ve chosen, so it’s hard to help you really. But they are all very ‘samey’- paper based memorabilia.
I wouldn’t be thrilled with your offering, as to me it just feels a bit lazy. But you know your DH! If this is his thing, stick with what you’ve got!!

I’m happy to get him more if anyone has any ideas. Not really sure what the point of your post is though.

Why do you think he'll get enjoyment from the signature when he's never got anything signed? (Inherited signatures don't support the argument - he didn't go out of his way to get them.)

Has he said something? Is he a massive massive fan boy about the author/anyone?

It takes a particular personality to appreciate a signed gift more than an unsigned one. Especially c. £200 more. Maybe that's him, maybe it's not!

Yes, he is a massive fan of the book, which is semi-autobiographical.