Gift advice

[Eireann]

A friend of mine is experiencing (I can't say "celebrating") a birthday soon. Said friend had to be talked into going somewhere with me on his birthday. He claims there's no reason to celebrate his birthday. I suggested that we celebrate something else ON his birthday. He agreed.

So, I thought I'd get him a DVD, but he hasn't bought himself a new player yet (old one was stolen). Would it be in poor taste for me to get him a DVD anyway, in the knowledge that he's going to buy himself a new player eventually?

Damn it, I was going to get him a very good book, but the English-language bookstores in town are all out of copies of that particular book.

[Sheldonrs]

Heck, these days you can get a DVD PLAYER for less than a lot of DVDs.

I'd say go for it. He's gonna get one eventually and this may spur him on.

[taxguykarl]

Sheldonrs has an idea. Replacing a stolen item sounds quite thoughtful to me.

[MaggieTheCat]

I completely thought that Eireann and taxguykarl were the same poster for a minute 'cuz their avatars are so similar.

Anyway, I'd say either a DVD or a DVD Player would be fine. Does he have a computer or a laptop? If he does, chances are he DOES have a DVD player there, so if nothing else, he can still watch DVDs on his computer.

[draggar]

Yeah, get him a new player. I've seen them as low as $40.

[AdminAssistant]

The problem with getting a new player is that you can't know what kind/type of player this guy may be looking for. I'd go with getting a DVD.

[BookstoreEscapee]

If you know where he might buy a new player you could always go for a gift card to put towards it...

[Eireann]

I did think of getting him a new DVD player, but since he's already planning to get a new one, I thought I'd leave it up to him, since I'm sure he has a pretty good idea which one he wants. Electronics here aren't cheap, either; a DVD costs less.

His birthday is coming up very soon, so there isn't time to special-order the book. I did think of presenting him with an IOU for a present (without telling him what it is) so I can order the book and give it to him later.

[draggar]

If you know where he might buy a new player you could always go for a gift card to put towards it...

Great idea.