Buddy's birthday, want to do something cool for him this yea

[kittensaver]

You live in the PNW, right? There's lots of "adventuring" near you: fishing, whale watching, island hopping, zip lining, biplane tours over the region . . .

[Deleted]

A young colleague on FB just posted what her friends did for her birthday. I'm not sure if it is franchised or not.  It is called "Breaking Out." Apparently, she and four friends were locked in a room. They had to solve clues and figure out combinations in order to get out of the room.  She posted her time (58:08) as if it was something great and talked about what fun they all had. I am sure the number of friends is flexible. It could be just you guys.

Anyway, you might do a check to see if something like this is available. I like puzzles and challenges so it sounded like tons of fun.

[debthaven]

If you and your wife could manage it, I think a fabulous gift would be a dinner (either at your house or out, up to you). And then you and your wife could give them a "voucher" for a weekend trip for him and his wife, with you doing (or at least coordinating) the babysitting for his kids. 

With kids that age, a night or two away without the kids would be a fabulous gift (unless they have close family nearby and they are used to doing that. But most people with kids that age rarely get away just the two of them.) You could talk about the possibilities together during the dinner, see what they are leaning towards and when would be a good time for them, and then present him with a reservation someplace nice that they would enjoy for 1/2 nights. It doesn't need to be an expensive / fancy place.

Two nights away is SO MUCH NICER than one, because you get to wake up and know that you still have the whole day and night ahead of you.

Just a thought. :-) 

ETA: Other thought: a hot air balloon ride? 

[Deleted]

Can you arrange a golf scramble for a group of friends (8)? Set it up with fee for course plus donation amount so you can buy prizes for the scramble wins.
"Draw the Club" is kind of fun, where you pick club out of the hat that everyone has to use for a few of the shots. 

Mens Jersey from the Hawks Pro Shop & beer night or the surprise round of golf.

Something a little more unique from the hawk's auction site? auctions.seahawks.com/

Tickets for the first hawks home game of the season? Friday Aug 14th.

[busymom]

If he's into sports, how about springing for some REALLY good seats at an upcoming game? (You pay for the beer, too!)

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

(PS, his wife was the surrogate for our kids, so he's extra, extra special to me).

(I would think that SHE's the one who'd be extra, extra special to you).


I'd go with the municipal course "surprise" round of 9 holes of golf after work (getting his golfing gear in advance) and some cool ones afterward in the clubhouse - most of the courses have 'pub' style food menus - burgers/wings/nachos, etc to snack on while sipping & catching up/talking about the game.

If there's a course dress-code or if he'd have to change out of a suit, then that would also have to be planned in advance --- so you might want to present him with a home made "Gift Card" of a round of golf & beers on you after work in advance of his B'Day so he can be ready with is clothing and gear to head to the course to play after work.

[hoops902]

You're friends with him so you probably know best, but as much as I like golf there's about nothing worse I can imagine than playing golf after work as a surprise.  Occasionally I'll get in the mood for a round when I get off work, but typically I wouldn't want to do it.  I'd much rather have a relaxing Saturday/Sunday morning on the course.  I'd feel rushed after work...gotta get to the course, gotta play, gotta eat dinner sometime, gotta get home to the kids, gotta finish up a few things for work the next day, etc.

Also, just for me, if I'm playing a nice course, or a course I haven't played before, part of the enjoyment is looking forward to it (I'm not a surprise guy in general though).  I love the golf idea, I just don't love the "surprise, it's 4:00 on a random weekday and we're playing golf now".  That's me though, maybe he's totally into that.

I'd actually prefer something more relaxed after work.  Bowling, beer, pizza...something like that (I'm not really a bowler, but doesn't everybody like doing it occasionally?).  We've got a dive bar around here that's just full of old-school video games and cheap beer that would be fun.  That's a good group thing when everyone may not be a golfer.

[MJ2.0]

what happened to good old fashioned hookers and blow?

[hoops902]

Jun 4, 2015 8:32:55 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

what happened to good old fashioned hookers and blow?

Seemed to be in poor taste to have him cheat on his wife that carried your children. 

[MJ2.0]

Jun 4, 2015 10:14:04 GMT -5 alwaysbeoptimizing said:

Jun 4, 2015 9:51:21 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Seemed to be in poor taste to have him cheat on his wife that carried your children. 

can no one take a joke today?

[hoops902]

Jun 4, 2015 10:17:05 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Jun 4, 2015 10:14:04 GMT -5 alwaysbeoptimizing said:

can no one take a joke today?

When you talk about hookers and blow...you're joking? 

[HoneyBBQ]

Hmmmm, I have lots of ideas, but most are 'outdoorsy'. 

Are there any really cool concerts coming to town this summer you could get him tickets for? 

[zibazinski]

And also watch his kids for them while they attend?