Birthday Present Ideas

Get chocolate.

If already done, get more chocolate.

That always works in a pinch for my girl as well but chocolate sorta screams: I've got no imagination whatsoever don't you think? And it sounds like she wants to do something a bit special. Not easy having high standards when it comes to showing affection for loved ones and vigilant strikes me as being that kind of person. And that is a compliment, just so you know ;)

I would actually suggest going more in details, not necessarily here on the board but maybe put down on a datapad any special moment of the evening and consider how to recreate them somehow, because it would be little details that would trigger her memory of better times. You want the reaction "I can't believe your remembered that!"

I don't know how much it applies to anyone else, but I've always been quite taken with the notion of birthdays. We all should let our loved ones know how much we're glad they're here every day, but let's be honest, how many of us really do? Even if there's no lack of affection and appreciation, we're only sapient, we all settle into comfortable routines when we find them, and start to just take it as read that this is the way things are. I like there being a day specifically devoted to telling someone how happy we are for the simple fact that they were brought into the galaxy - not because it's the only day we should, but because we all need reminders now and then, and ritualising it helps emphasise the joy of the occasion, rather than dwelling on how, at other times, we can take our loves for granted.

But that's me, and you know how I am - any excuse for a party. Ever since I started making friends from offworld (the world being Thessia, back then), I liked to celebrate their birthdays according to their calendar and mine, and if we were both somewhere other than our homeworlds that's another calendar to use as an excuse to enjoy ourselves, and so on...

Vanguard (I'm still instinctively thinking 'Burke', you know - if we ever meet, I'm probably going to call you that without thinking, just warning you), if it's not too late to offer advice, I think what you said about being wary of aggravating old wounds may have a lot of wisdom to it. But the idea of gently nudging her to reconnect with things she used to take joy in is a good one too. Movies perhaps, then - hiking I can see becoming difficult if she doesn't take to it, and as you say, gardening on the Citadel tends to mean community gardens, not much room for private ones. Movies you two can enjoy in private - reclaiming that experience could be very beneficial, but it'll also be difficult no matter what, so the best course may be the one you can do somewhere she feels safest: in private, with just you there.

(I'm imagining a boxed set of films - if you meant 'movies' as in public cinema, well, that paragraph isn't so helpful then, sorry. Best of fortune to you both, in any case.)

I may be also a bit late to the show, hope it is not too late and I won't make as many words as Daia but maybe into the same direction.

Quality Time.

and work is no excuse for the other part, as a matter of fact. As it sounds, it may not be something materialistic that you want but something that has feelings to it. An evening at the movies or a special dinner (NOT at your place!) is something that can always be managed but that's still quality time that counts.

Just my two credits.

To answer the original topic question:

- Hologames, if she particularly likes them.
- Something they're particularly into; for example, Mira, my squad infiltrator, is a big fan of replica 'crossbows' (really any crossbow-like weapon, you'd be surprised how many species created something similar).
- If all else fails, gift card to someplace she likes. Saved my ass a few times, that.

Wow, this thread took off when I wasn't looking-

Palmer, Gestran, I've got a box of chocolates, but that's not the main thing I'm going to get her. She likes the kind with the mint on the inside, and that was freaking hard to do with the shortage planetside, so I'm stuck with Faux-Mint Chocolates.. In a box. I hope she won't mind the difference.

FourEyes, I can remember. Thank you.

Daia, that first paragraph was beautiful. And- Yeah, I've used the excuse of time difference to throw multiple parties. /MY/ Birthday was on Earth on April 2nd, but that falls within the range of a different month on Bekenstein- So.. My mother threw one party unless I guilt-tripped her with the 'It's my birthday on Earth now!'

She likes drama- The heart-stringy type, so I got a remaster of a few ancient films she probably hasn't seen from pre-Relay times.

Taleeze, I plan on lots of quality time. I've reserved a table at a restaurant she likes, I've got the aforementioned flowers and movies- And I'm actually going to dress nice, as opposed to the Systems Alliance jacket and faded T-Shirts I frequent. The world may or may not end because of this, bid your time while you have it.

Modulator-Demodulator, Hologames aren't really her bag, and I /really/ should be looking to other cultures for solutions, but I'm practically removed of free time to plan, and I want this to be a surprise (for the most part.) I got her a gift card last year. :/


Thank you all for your advice and support!

Ya can't go wrong with porn! Extra credit if you're the star attraction!

Get her some cut and polished Al2O3:Cr.

Ladies love cut and polished Al2O3:Cr.

And if that's out of your price range, well, you can't go wrong with some (Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2 for a birthday gift. Guarantees a good evening all round. Because you will be.

So. Yesterday happened, and everything was FANTASTIC.

That's about all I have to say. Thank you all for the advice, guys.

Congratulations mrs Thompson, happy to help.