Nice people thread part 5 - nicely does it

silvercar

Generali wrote: »

Some shares? He could help you pick them and the dividend could add a nice annual bonus for him at uni (plus it gives him some emergency money).

Does he support a sports team? Lunch in the Directors box followed up with a couple of tickets for the match is a good day out and something that 'money can't buy' (except it can). He'll meet a couple of ex-players and perhaps a current injured one and may well get to meet the Man of the Match too.

Last time I did this I went to Leeds United and The Kaiser Chiefs were there to release their then new album and did the MotM presentation.

An advanced driving course is a good 'un as is a track day ie driving a bunch of racing cars around a track. The latter will teach him plenty about the appropriate place to drive fast (clue: it's not on the highway).

A promise to save it over until there's something he really wants/needs? A bit boring but very grown up.

He's seen Man U at Wembley with corporate hospitality as a friend had spare club Wembley tickets. He's also been on the Old Trafford Tour.

I'm going to suggest a track day again, as he is keen on driving.

Concert is an idea, though he keeps saying he wants an item not memories.

silvercar

LydiaJ wrote: »

Has he got any ideas himself? Does it have to be a surprise or could he choose?

He has to choose, he hates surprised in case he doesn't like them.

He can't think of anything, all he has come up with is a dog and a better car, both of which are not happening because in 6 months time he should be away at uni.

lostinrates

zagubov wrote: »

the puzzling thing to me is how the west of england starts ( I presume) between Reading and Swindon and covers everything beyond that.

I once studied at a university that had two campuses; one was in Beds which is sometimes regarded as East Anglia instead of South Midlands, and the other was just outside Swindon which for all intents and purposes thinks of itself as the West of England ( and has accents that back that idea up.)

Whatever happened to the South of England?

It is odd.

But i would point out that depending where in dorset and where in surrey it can be easier, if longer, to get too than bristol. The a303 east to london feels less bad to me than heading west to exeter, even when exeter was closer. Its wider, faster.

Also, from the central south/wessex we have No motorway. Its a big drive west to the m5, and often heading east is as easy even if a bit further its as quick iyswim.

Where i am now we have a choice of main routes but still find heading east easier than west most of the time.

Generali

silvercar wrote: »

He wears a suit for school (the 6th form uniform policy).

I wanted to get something rather than money.

He doesn't wear a watch, which was my first choice.

I'll suggest concert tickets, but he did say no to an experience like skid driving. He wants an item.

Maybe an ancient coin (you can buy a small gold coin that is more than 2,000 years old for a few hundred quid from a decent dealer like Spinks)?

Any interests where you could get him an antique of some sort?

lostinrates

Generali wrote: »

Maybe an ancient coin (you can buy a small gold coin that is more than 2,000 years old for a few hundred quid from a decent dealer like Spinks)?

Any interests where you could get him an antique of some sort?

Actually, we can get roman coins really cheaply near me....a few pounds. And jewellery for a couple of hundred. Not the best mind you, but wonderful nonetheless.

zagubov

Something to play music on (an upmarket ipod /dock spoeaker set-up. I don't know if hi-fi still exists!
A good TV to take to uni, with laptop connections? Just realsied how risky that would be to transport,though if it's a decent size!
Gliding lessons? Flight over London? balloon trip? I know you said he doesn't want experiences but if you pick something unusual that might tempt him, maybe he'll go for it.

chewmylegoff

Generali wrote: »

Some shares? He could help you pick them and the dividend could add a nice annual bonus for him at uni (plus it gives him some emergency money).

you could get him some lovely RBS shares!

chewmylegoff

zagubov wrote: »

Something to play music on (an upmarket ipod /dock spoeaker set-up. I don't know if hi-fi still exists!

or a good pair of headphones, you can spend quite a worrying amount on them these days. just don't get those chavvy dr dre ones.

Generali

chewmylegoff wrote: »

you could get him some lovely RBS shares!

RBS share certificates are what you stick behind a panel in the bath when your ex is trying to sell his/her house. They leave a terrible smell.

HSBC and Standard Chartered maybe. I prefer SSE in the FTSE 100 right now.

Percy1983

chewmylegoff wrote: »

or a good pair of headphones, you can spend quite a worrying amount on them these days. just don't get those chavvy dr dre ones.

I can second that, don't get me wrong the beats audio stuff is decent but you can get better for cheaper.