My husbands 50th birthday is coming up...I need suggestions, please

[WillParkinson]

Paul will have his 50th birthday on December 23, 2010. He likes ham radio and trains (both model and real, though we have no room for anything model anymore).

Because of our weird work schedules (I'm 3rd, he's 1st) we don't do a lot of socializing and, as such, don't have a lot of friends beyond a close personal group. So I'm trying to come up with a nice quiet birthday to-do for him.

Any questions or thoughts and suggestions would be most welcome.

[Tobin S.]

1. Do you guys have satellite radio?

He might like something like that.

[WillParkinson]

3. We have it in the car...

He's also got the stations that play just music (of various genres) on the satellite dish.

[proteus_lives]

2. A nice home meal and a radio set shaped like a train.

[WillParkinson]

4. Oddly enough...

He's got a radio-train.

[old mark]

5. Exotic sex....nt

[WillParkinson]

6. Excellent suggestion!

What time do you want him at your house? And does he need to bring a change of clothes?

[WinkyDink]

9. BWAH!

[old mark]

18. WD, over age 50, almost any sex is exotic...at least from what I remember....

:eyes:


very old mark

[old mark]

19. I plan on being not home that night....

whatever night that may be...


mark

[meegbear]

22. Broadcasting it over the ham radio ...

with train whistles in the background

[Courtesy Flush]

7. Bed and breakfast?

My wife's 50th was in September. We stayed at a really nice inn (not a B&B) in the French Quarter. We both agreed it was too much money, and we have just as much fun staying in a chain hotel, but it was a special occasion, and worth doing once.

[WillParkinson]

8. Our wedding was at a B & B in Vermont...

It was reasonably priced, but I don't think he wants to do it again (at least not so soon after the wedding).

[mopinko]

10. your hubby was born the day after my hubby.

how does he feel about 50? i am thinking of giving mine hemlock.

[WinkyDink]

11. Decorate, set the table, and eat as if you were on the Orient-Express!

You can find dishes from railroad dining cars:
http://www.thefind.com/query.php?query=railroad+dinner+plates
Or personalize:
http://www.stillmeadowpottery.com/design_r1.html

Don't forget the small lamps:
?imgmax=800

"The first menu on board (October 10, 1882): oysters, soup with Italian pasta, turbot with green sauce, chicken ‘à la chasseur’, fillet of beef with ‘château’ potatoes, ‘chaud-froid’ of Game animals, lettuce, chocolate pudding, buffet of desserts."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Express

Gifts:
http://www.orient-express.com/web/oe/gifts/gifts_a2a_splash.jsp?c=ukaffiliates&p=cj&cr=boutiquetextlink

Then watch "North by Northwest" (great train scenes with Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint) or "Murder on the Orient Express"!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_on_the_Orient_Express

:-)

[sarge43]

15. Very romantic

Recommend the salon music of the Belle Epoque, Salon Orchestra Favourites, Vol 1

[DoBotherMe]

23. Lovely idea!

I might do that for the heck of it. Dana ; )

[SteppingRazor]

12. May I suggest a trip to one the myriad train museums in your state?

http://www.wisconline.com/attractions/railways.html

[siligut]

13. Take him on the Amtrak to New Orleans!

You go into Chicago, coach, but then get a Superliner room for an additional $260.00, depending, for the almost 20 hr trip to NOLA. Romantic train trip, trains in general, New Orleans food and music and fun, fun, fun. However, you would do well to celebrate early, you know, because of holiday prices and crowds.

[whistler162]

17. Good idea.

[Dappleganger]

14. My husband is always happy with steak and...

a well, you can fill in the rest. He's a man of simple needs. ;)

For his 40th I invited a table full of our closest friends and reserved a room at his favorite family-style Italian restaurant. We had a blast and he was truly surprised. Time spent with friends is important to him.

[whistler162]

16. Well for my 50th birthday I took a trip around

most of North America by rail, Amtrak and Via.

But that is probably out.

The train down to Chicago or overnight to St. Paul? If you can get the time.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. Train ride through Alaska!!

Princess cruises (and I'm sure other cruiselines) have trains that run between Fairbanks and Anchorage with stops in Denali.

[mnhtnbb]

21. Surprise trip or surprise guests for his birthday.

I've done both for my hubby.

One time I told him what to pack--he had no idea where he was going--and I took
him to the airport and gave him his ticket to meet a very good friend for a football
game in another state.

Another time I had him all primed to believe we were going somewhere as a surprise together;
(I even packed a fake suitcase) went to the airport and set him up in the bar while I went
and met his best friend--best man at our wedding and his wife--at the gate. The look on his face
was priceless when I came back--not from the bathroom--but with the friend and wife in tow!

Both times he was surprised and amazed.