tricolors Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 Here's the deal: My girl-who-is-also-a-friend's birthday is coming up soon. I've already ordered a present for her, one that isn't intimate, not too cliched, and one that I know for a fact she'll like, as she's mentioned it before. We're going out on Wednesday for lunch, and later for dinner (which is a surprise she doesn't know about yet, her girlfriends are in charge of that.) The present is a delicacy food item popular in her country that required being overnighted from NYC, but also popular in many restaurants here in the U.S.. Expensive and rare enough to be a treat, but not silly expensive or excessive. Also, it's something she can share with parents who live nearby, and as a double-win for me I'd like to impress them as well, as I know she's mentioned me to them before. My question being: I'm going to be handing her a small disposable cooler that holds this item. Do I wrap it? Would that be silly? Do I put a card or tag on it? I'm almost 34, she's turning 40. We're not "dating" as such in an American sense, but still in a stage of getting to know each other. Do you think she would like it as a wrapped present with a card or tag with her name on it? I don't want to make it too formal or stodgy. A card would be overkill I'd think...or would it? I've never had someone's birthday fall so soon into a "relationship" if that's what you'd call this, so I'm not sure what the de rigueur thing to do here would be. Not to mention it's sort of an unusual gift.
MsSmurf Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 You don't have to wrap it, but do put it in a gift bag with some tissue paper and ribbon. Then it'll look pretty and she'll be curious about its contents. Yes you should get a card, but opt for something funny not crass. Funny is the opposite of formal and stodgy and that's what you want here. A card is not overkill it is thoughtful, especially if it makes her laugh. 1
Author tricolors Posted April 14, 2013 Author Posted April 14, 2013 You don't have to wrap it, but do put it in a gift bag with some tissue paper and ribbon. Then it'll look pretty and she'll be curious about its contents. Yes you should get a card, but opt for something funny not crass. Funny is the opposite of formal and stodgy and that's what you want here. A card is not overkill it is thoughtful, especially if it makes her laugh. Yeah, I suppose that would be a bit classier than plopping down a white cooler and saying "HERE'S SOME FOOD." I think the cooler is such that it'll be bigger than a gift bag, though. I'll have to see what it ships in.
creighton0123 Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 Well... how "soon" into this relationship are you? Would it be some sort of after-dinner dessert you could have at your house or, perhaps, bring it to the restaurant with you (arrive early) and have them serve it after the meal on a nice plate instead of handing it to her in a gift bag?
MsSmurf Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 Yeah, I suppose that would be a bit classier than plopping down a white cooler and saying "HERE'S SOME FOOD." I think the cooler is such that it'll be bigger than a gift bag, though. I'll have to see what it ships in. While it is possible to find very large and even odd shaped gift bags you can also be creative here. I save nice bags from clothing stores (those are always huge) I shop at and then turn them into gift bags complete with ribbon and tissue paper. If you're really creative you could even wrap the cooler in some sort of cellophane or gauzy material and tie it nicely with a ribbon or bow.
Author tricolors Posted April 14, 2013 Author Posted April 14, 2013 Well... how "soon" into this relationship are you? Would it be some sort of after-dinner dessert you could have at your house or, perhaps, bring it to the restaurant with you (arrive early) and have them serve it after the meal on a nice plate instead of handing it to her in a gift bag? Negative on those counts, but I appreciate the idea. It's a meat. Those are both very sweet ideas, though, just not applicable to this situation. The restaurant we're going to would have no idea how to prepare or serve it. This woman and her mother are both proficient cooks, so I'll leave it to them to enjoy at home. While it is possible to find very large and even odd shaped gift bags you can also be creative here. I save nice bags from clothing stores (those are always huge) I shop at and then turn them into gift bags complete with ribbon and tissue paper. If you're really creative you could even wrap the cooler in some sort of cellophane or gauzy material and tie it nicely with a ribbon or bow. I was already thinking of your second idea. I think it'll be easiest just to wrap the cooler itself in something and put a ribbon or bow on it.
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