Stylish gift help needed!

[hellymelly]

My friend turns 50 this week. I have no idea what to get him! He is stylish, arty, single, lives alone in a city flat. I don't think jewellry would be any good and I bought him cufflinks for a previous landmark birthday. He isn't the sort of person to go on an "experience" of any kind. I live several hundred miles away and haven't seen him for several years which makes it harder as I don't know what he has in his new apartment. All ideas very gratefully recieved. £100 (ish) budget.

Wine.

A limited edition print by an upcoming artist in a style he likes. Most large cities have print studios or you can look online.

A pair of Rayban Wayfarers.

Or, if you haven't seen him in years, a surprise visit and take him to dinner!

I thought of wine but although he would go to a bar, he isn't really an at-home drinker. I am not sure if he would take something out to dinner, maybe he would. Print he would like yes, I would need to shop online though as I am so far away. Sadly the surprise visit isn't on the cards yet although I am planning on visiting near Christmas.

I have 2 ideas only I'm afraid:
handmade leather and cashmere gloves
handmade leather wallet

useful link. If you are interested in a print an etching is probably most suited for your budget, I would recommend contacting the studios directly and asking for options. A very limited amount of work is listed online, they may have more options available to discuss.

Smart keyring?

www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/mens/accessories/keyrings/mens-vintage-stripe-leather-keyring.html

Wallet?

www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/mens/accessories/wallets/mens-vintage-signature-stripe-billfold-wallet-fghdi.html

You said he was arty so I have gone for stripes rather than plain leather!

Comme de garçons wallet

This is blue zip but they also have other colours

www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/mens/accessories/wallets/mens-vintage-signature-stripe-billfold-wallet-fghdi.html

Fab sunglasses here

www.oki-ni.com/accessories/sunglasses/?order_by=product_price%20ASC

Casual watches

www.oki-ni.com/accessories/watches/?order_by=product_price%20ASC

Art book by tashen

Example here

Sculpture
www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/48706/facts.sculpture_from_antiquity_to_the_present_day.htm

I know you said that something for his apartment would be tricky because you don't know what he's got, but the things here are lovely and über stylish. I'd like pretty much anything if only I could afford it!

Two volumes

Not just a picture book, an interesting read
www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/06002/facts.masterpieces_in_detail.htm

If he is into modern art

www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/05050/facts.jeff_koons.htm

Amazing book

www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/01643/facts.leonardo_da_vinci_the_complete_paintings_and_drawings.htm

Can't go wrong with Alessi website. It's all beautiful

store.alessi.com/gbr/en-gb/catalog/detail/blow-up-magazine-holder/fc15

Subscription to a magazine

store.alessi.com/gbr/en-gb/catalog/detail/tonga-pepper-salt-and-spice-mill/rs10

Won't be long before I am 50 and I would like any of these

store.alessi.com/gbr/en-gb/catalog/index/table/baskets-and-fruit-bowls

Marc Newson is a god in my eyes, I love his designs

This is fab

www.richmondcookshop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1164&gclid=CKCbk7z2jLoCFY_KtAod3TYATw

Sunday ITA re the ALessi! My brother is 40 and stylish (I think) - he LOVES Alessi.

you could also go down the route of vintage stuff - furniture/lamp etc... if he's into that.

Membership to somewhere like BFI or Barbican may also be an option.

with a few city guides of places he's never been etc...

Such Brilliant ideas everyone. He would like everything listed pretty much, so now I have to narrow it down! Very grateful for the help, I was getting very stressed wondering what on earth to get.

I've just realised you said he was SINGLE!

Feel free to include my phone number in the birthday card you send him!

He is also very handsome. But prefers men I think...