I Need Your Help
October 7th is my anniversary. The VP and I will be celebrating ten years exceptional happiness, most of which is due to his uncomplaining accommodation of my soccer schedule, my busy drinking social agenda, and my bad cooking. Frankly, I'm amazed he's lasted this long. He certainly deserves better. And this year I'm going to make the effort. I'm not only going to remember our anniversary (I've blown the last three), but I'm going to get him a present.
Here's where I solicit for help. According to a few sources, the traditional gift for the tenth anniversary is tin or aluminium. WTF? How romantic can you get with tin or aluminium? The first thing I thought of is a ladder, and we've got a few of those. Siding? No. Vanity plates for his car? This idea has potential, but I don't think I can get them in a week. Besides, I have no idea what I'd put on them. Well, yes, I do, but I'm pretty sure the DMV wouldn't allow it.
If any of you guys can think of something really cool made out of tin or aluminuim, let me know. Otherwise the poor guy is going to end up a Hallmark card and bag of empty Coke cans.
Tin? If The VP is into antique kitsch, some of the pressed tin pieces from around 1900 might be of interest.
Aluminum? If you're looking for something for his car, a set of aluminum / aluminum alloy wheels are a possibility.
Posted by: aelfheld | October 01, 2005 at 08:14 AM
I can rule out the antiques, but the alloy wheels are a great idea! I just wish he drove something a little more sporty than a Suburban.
Posted by: St. Kate | October 01, 2005 at 08:53 AM
My tenth anniversary was on August 5th, and I celebrated by taking my wife (and kids) to Minnesota. That should be easy enough for you.
Posted by: Dave in Pgh. | October 01, 2005 at 09:09 AM
Wrap yourself in tinfoil, unless of course that's soooo last Saturday night.
Posted by: Sandy | October 01, 2005 at 02:57 PM
A motorcycle! (It's not tin, or aluminum, but it is metal) You could ride it too.....and you'd be in good company with the other siblings.
Posted by: Aunt S | October 01, 2005 at 07:22 PM
How about a boat lift or jet ski lift for the cabin? If that's not romantic enough you could go for a nice dinner at "the aluminum room", aka White Castle.
Actually, since you've indicated the VP's sensitivity to bodily fluids produced or regurgitated by the Senator and the Governor, it sounds as if he might need a cast iron stomach. An aluminum one, however, could be just as effective, and since it has 1/3 the density of steel, it would be lighter. It's also resistant to weather, common atmospheric gases and a wide range of liquids, can be used in contact with a wide range of foodstuffs, and has a high elasticity which is an advantage in structures under shock loads (all this according to
the Aluminum Association - http://www.aluminum.org/Content/NavigationMenu/The_Industry/Aluminum_Products/Aluminum_Products.htm)
Posted by: Night Writer | October 01, 2005 at 09:21 PM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y7976/104-2077379-7397530?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance
The back of this is aluminum. If he doesn't like it, give it to me!
Posted by: DrJonz | October 02, 2005 at 10:06 AM
October 7th is our 10th anniversary too! I gave up on the idea of tin. You could wrap a gift in tinfoil and go with that.
Posted by: Nina Hale | October 02, 2005 at 10:49 AM
An aluminum briefcase or portfolio would be my choice. Or an aluminum case for his cellphone? I had one, it was quite studly.
Posted by: kb | October 02, 2005 at 06:28 PM
Shalom Kate,
Just a few suggestions:
A one-year subscription to the beer of the month club (if you can specify cans).
A beer tap and 30-gallon keg.
An aluminum-framed bicycle (his and hers could be fun).
An aluminum satellite dish.
A brushed aluminum martini shaker, preferably antique.
An aluminum cigarette/cigar case.
Several cases of his favorite canned food (if he's a spaghetios fanatic, for instance).
Tins and tins of sardines and anchovies if he's a fish person.
Tins of exotic coffee or tea.
A very large picnic basket filled with tinned delacies for the two of you to share.
There are also gift stores that will seal just about anything in a can...
Put something he would really, really like in the can and then give it to him with a can opener (preferably a P38 if he knows how to use one.)
If he nostalgic at all, find a vintage toy store and buy a bunch of metal toys he might have played with as a boy.
A really nice aluminum thermos and a selection of specialty coffess and a good brandy to go with it for cold football nights.
I could go on and on, but hopefully this was helpful.
And Happy Anniversary.
B'shalom,
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Hess | October 02, 2005 at 07:05 PM