Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#41

Post by devNoise » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 1:40 PM UTC

christophilus wrote: post #7

A friend of mine bought me a fountain pen for my birthday. I expected to have it sit in my standard pile of pens, but no. I love that thing. I'd never have bought a fountain pen otherwise. I've since purchased an inexpensive Muji pen. It comes with garbage ink, but I replaced that with a refillable cartridge and Parker ink. It's now my second favorite pen. (I say this simply to indicate that it doesn't have to be an…

To follow up on the pen idea. Tactile Turn pens are popular with the EDC crowd. https://tactileturn.com/pages/shop

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#42

Post by csw-001 » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 1:41 PM UTC

For a buddy’s 40th we contacted as many of his friends and family as we could find, and asked them to make a short video telling a joke/story/greeting for him. Then we hired some of his favorite TV show stars to do the same via Cameo - Billy D. Williams was hilarious! We stitched it all together in iMovie and surprised him with it.

We got folks he hadn’t seen in a decade to say hi. We got poetry, jokes, even videos with painting people made him. His dad drove to their old neighborhood and took him on a short walking tour. We got his mom to give us pictures of him as a kid to cut in (gotta include that ubiquitous tub shot!).

When we showed it to him and we recorded his reaction and set that as a screen-in-screen video back to everyone who contributed, and couldn’t come to the party (darn COVID!).

It was a big lift - lots of coordination - but as you get older, old friends are harder see and older relatives begin to pass. That video lasts forever, which is cool.

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#43

Post by jimmydorry » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 1:56 PM UTC

capableweb wrote: post #20

golf_mike wrote: post #9

How about a flipper zero! https://flipperzero.one/

I love it! So many times I've could have used one of those... Unfortunately not in stock at the moment :(

Yeah, looks amazing. I was sold on the idea after reading the description, but saw it was out of stock when I went to purchase. :(

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#44

Post by sumthinprofound » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 1:58 PM UTC

breitling wrote: post #40

sumthinprofound wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I once found a 2 hour introductory flight lesson on groupon that I gifted as a birthday present. They had a great experience.

Only caveat with this is that it could potentially be a hindrance for someone getting life insurance. I recently applied to a couple companies and they all asked me if I had flown an airplane in the last 12 months.

I would not have known better to even consider this. Useful to know!

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#45

Post by eatbitseveryday » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 2:02 PM UTC

paulkrush wrote: post #6

Or a Massey Ferguson 7250 DI Power Up tractor

I don’t get it. Is there something special about this tractor or why would it make a fun gift?

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#46

Post by pavel_lishin » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 2:13 PM UTC

I know the ISS speaks to folks on Earth via ham radio - I don't know if those sessions are scheduled in any way, but talking to an Astronaut or Cosmonaut could be a treat for him.

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#47

Post by hprotagonist » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 2:19 PM UTC

bradfa wrote: post #28

hprotagonist wrote: post #19

Assuming "bike' means "motorcycle": Get him time and instruction on a motorcycle track. There are non-racing focused skills based track days; i was just at one with ages of participants spanning 19 to 78(!). What a way to get your head somewhere else for a day! If you give me a region, i might be able to make some recommendations.

Are you suggesting a motorcycle course within the metaverse, preferably with swords? Your nick and bio are excellent for Snow Crash fans :)

if you want to race in the digital desert, i'll be out there. But i recommend some serious meatspace time.

just .. the guy with the harley and no neck? leave him alone.

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#48

Post by giantg2 » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 2:28 PM UTC

breitling wrote: post #40

sumthinprofound wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I once found a 2 hour introductory flight lesson on groupon that I gifted as a birthday present. They had a great experience.

Only caveat with this is that it could potentially be a hindrance for someone getting life insurance. I recently applied to a couple companies and they all asked me if I had flown an airplane in the last 12 months.

Eh, if you're just doing lessons then I wouldn't count that. The instructor is the one piloting the plane. Even if you take control, they're the one responsible for the aircraft as the instructor. I would only answer yes to that question if you solo.

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#49

Post by Rebelgecko » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 2:36 PM UTC

capableweb wrote: post #20

golf_mike wrote: post #9

How about a flipper zero! https://flipperzero.one/

I love it! So many times I've could have used one of those... Unfortunately not in stock at the moment :(

They're supposedly coming back in stock soon, fwiw

Re: Ask HN: What to get for my brother's 50th birthday?

#50

Post by shmoe » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 2:36 PM UTC

circlefavshape wrote: post #16

For my 50th my wife rented a 13th century castle for a weekend, and got my friends to come stay the first night and my parents/brothers-and-their-families for the second. It was fantastic

Wow. This is a great idea. Terrible wifi, but great inspiration for planning mine and my wife's 50th.