Need help with a Decision

[cabaiguan juan]

My wife graduates from her MBA class this coming May. She has been working hard on her MBA for almost 3 years now, doing the part time program and working full time. She is so excited to graduate and finish this that she literally cannot wait for graduation! I'm also excited and extremely proud of her, as she has convinced me that i do not have the diciplin or drive to go and get a graduate degree. I want to get a awesome graduation present and have been toying around with a couple of ideas. I was thinking a real nice tenis braclet with some expensive stones in it, golf lessons (she really likes golf and wants to spend a lot more time on the course when she is doen with her degree), cooking lessons (real good cook and likes cooking), edjucational wine classes/seminars (helping her learn about the wine that she drinks), or maybe a weekend get-a-way at a B&B somewhere away from the Beltway. This is all i can think of, and was hoping that some of you folks could help me out by thinking of a few other ideas and/or weighing in your 2 cents from previous experiences. Thanks for the advice and recommendations guys.

Maybe some of the ladies could give their perspective as well?

[smk819]

When my wife finished graduate school I got her a gold pendant with her degree and year of gaduation engraved. That and a box of Siglo II's would be perfect.

[SethG]

A week in spain on a beach, or Cuba. Personally, I prefer permanent things but women seem to enjoy vacations.

A trip to the habanos festival isn't bad.

A diamond/emerald/sapphire celebration ring from Tiffany's they like, especially if they're already married. Usually around 3K though.

A lease on a new car is the hands down favorite for any MBA grad though, and with the current deals out there it'd be pretty easy to get her the car she always wanted for cheap.

[DocRKS]

A strong suggestion if you do include Golf Lessons as part of the gift - make sure there are a series of 'Playing Lessons" included in the series... It's one thing to have a lesson at the range - but when she and her golf pro go out for a lesson that consists of playing 9 holes - wow!!! That is probably the most meaningful instruction attainable. Not only will they both encounter 'real world' situations as far as shot making is concerned - but the entire concept of 'course management' now comes into play. You can't get that from a lesson at the practice range.

BTW - Congrats to BOTH of you in this significant accomplishment. Aside from your wife's work and deication - it also took your support and sacrificae to attain this advanced degree.

[Ken Gargett]

My wife graduates from her MBA class this coming May. She has been working hard on her MBA for almost 3 years now, doing the part time program and working full time. She is so excited to graduate and finish this that she literally cannot wait for graduation! I'm also excited and extremely proud of her, as she has convinced me that i do not have the diciplin or drive to go and get a graduate degree. I want to get a awesome graduation present and have been toying around with a couple of ideas. I was thinking a real nice tenis braclet with some expensive stones in it, golf lessons (she really likes golf and wants to spend a lot more time on the course when she is doen with her degree), cooking lessons (real good cook and likes cooking), edjucational wine classes/seminars (helping her learn about the wine that she drinks), or maybe a weekend get-a-way at a B&B somewhere away from the Beltway. This is all i can think of, and was hoping that some of you folks could help me out by thinking of a few other ideas and/or weighing in your 2 cents from previous experiences. Thanks for the advice and recommendations guys.

Maybe some of the ladies could give their perspective as well?

if a good box of cigars is out of the question, i like the wine idea (of course). not sure what would be round in your area (or you may want to zip across to napa or one of the other great regions) but often a winery will hold a weekend course of some nature, with some terrific wines. sometimes, groups outsie a winery will do it which allows a range of wines. if it appealed, i'm sure something would not be that hard to track down or try asking in one of the better stores - they might be able to pointyou in the right direction. long time since i was there but mccarthur's??? rings a bell. also woodley??

[tsolomon]

Jewelry is something she can get immediate satisfaction from and always works for me. We live in a very good area for golf and cooking lessons. You have the L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda which offers a number of cooking classes, but they fill up quickly. My wife plays golf and I finally got her new set of Calloway clubs which she loves. Do you play? You might want to plan a little golf getaway for a couple of days to celebrate. Dinner and a night out at the Inn of Little Washington would be a nice surprise. Send flowers to work, that was always a big hit for me and it tells her co-workers how special she is to you. Good to see you're planning ahead and good luck.

[no3putts]

golf lessons (she really likes golf and wants to spend a lot more time on the course when she is doen with her degree), cooking lessons (real good cook and likes cooking), edjucational wine classes/seminars (helping her learn about the wine that she drinks), or maybe a weekend get-a-way at a B&B somewhere away from the Beltway.

How about incorporating a few of these ideas into one. I'm sure places "nearby" like the Boar's head in Charlottesville, GreenBrier, Nemacolin or The Homestead could satisfy more than a few of these.

[El Presidente]

Congratulations! You must be very proud of her

A one week cooking course with a great chef in Tuscany/Milan/Barcelona (there are plenty to choose from depending on her interest).

Should you accompany her on the trip.....choose a location with a LCDH

[anacostiakat]

Congratulations! You must be very proud of her

A one week cooking course with a great chef in Tuscany/Milan/Barcelona (there are plenty to choose from depending on her interest).

Should you accompany her on the trip.....choose a location with a LCDH

Great ideas, all.

[Colt45]

You know what would be most personal for her, and you've already come up with some good ideas.

To add a little to what's already been suggested, if you go with the golf, perhaps have her fitted for

a new set of clubs as well (if she doesn't already have a set).

If the cooking lessons, a great set of cookware (again, if you don't already).

Perhaps instead of buying her a bracelet, you could go up to NYC for an overnight or weekend, take

her shopping and to dinner.

Wine seminar - followed up with a spree to a great wine shop.

All pricey, but just a few thoughts. Congrats, and good luck to you both!

[cabaiguan juan]

A week in ... Cuba.

A trip to the habanos festival isn't bad.

A lease on a new car is the hands down favorite for any MBA grad though, and with the current deals out there it'd be pretty easy to get her the car she always wanted for cheap.

Oh man, i wish a week in Cuba was even a possibility, maybe when i graduate with an MBA on day! We just got a new car too, great ideas though!

A strong suggestion if you do include Golf Lessons as part of the gift - make sure there are a series of 'Playing Lessons" included in the series... It's one thing to have a lesson at the range - but when she and her golf pro go out for a lesson that consists of playing 9 holes - wow!!! That is probably the most meaningful instruction attainable. Not only will they both encounter 'real world' situations as far as shot making is concerned - but the entire concept of 'course management' now comes into play. You can't get that from a lesson at the practice range.

That is an interesting idea, i hadn't though of Play Lessons before.

if a good box of cigars is out of the question, i like the wine idea (of course). not sure what would be round in your area (or you may want to zip across to napa or one of the other great regions) but often a winery will hold a weekend course of some nature, with some terrific wines. sometimes, groups outsie a winery will do it which allows a range of wines. if it appealed, i'm sure something would not be that hard to track down or try asking in one of the better stores...

Thaty is a real good idea. Maybe that coupled with a stay at a B&B or some golfing too.

You guys are coming up with some great ideas. Inn at Little Washington is another great suggestion too.

[Curt]

Whatever you decide on, throw in a spa day.

[Miami101]

1st forgive me for my English I'm from Cuba now living in Miami for some years.

Now for your Questions:How can I put these in a way that will not upset you. Perhpaps you would understand if I put it this way.

If you where my brother/friend, and over my house drinking smoking a cigar over this question. The following would be what I would have to say:

1. She has an MBA now.........She is convinced you do not have what it takes.

Answer: You need to go get your MBA you her your are the man of the house. Second I want you to take her out to a nice dinner. Please bring her white roses.......and I want you take all the way home...think of baseball what ever it takes to show her you are the man of the house. I hope you understand that with the statements above in your posting your are in for big trouble my friend.

2. Simple send her flowers at work out of the blue.

3. I'm not sure if your latin, but race is not important. I want you to go to a local Mexican restaurant find a mariachi band $ work out a deal ($150 tops)...have them give you a nice love song to learn. This part is very important make sure they come at night to provide a big surprise. You want to surprise her maybe even in public, or if you have guest over. Why do I think you should this because this will bring some life & spice back into your life. Also this is something you would never do, very not you. Trust me on this one there is nothing like making a fool out of your self for a women.

4. Give her a foot rub, back rub out of the blue

5. Cook her dinner, and candle light dinner

6. Take her out to Kayak

Becareful with lessions make sure the person giving them is a female, and even then keep your eye open.

[cabaiguan juan]

I appreciate your advice but while you have some good points, you veiw things differnelty then i do. There is no question about what roles we each fit into at our house. For you to make assumptions about what my wife thinks and to inject your own insecurities is wrong.

[TR]

A nice Oris watch! Can't go wrong with something she will use everyday!

[terrantheman]

Well Congrats to your wife that is a huge accomplishment! My wife graduated this past May with her MSW and it was a very proud moment. I like the idea of the wine classes and also maybe the getaway to the B&B would be nice for the 2 of you. I know that you've also given up a lot for her and you could use some down time with her also.

[laficion]

Here is aother Idea , Put all the chances on your side, Take her to France

That way she'll live her cooking lessons, she'll live her wine semiars and you'll

both live your love affair. All that with excellent cuban cigars

She'll love you even more after that

Anyway you do it ,I know you'll do it right, Congrats to the two of you.

[cabaiguan juan]

You guys are full of great ideas. I've just begun looking into all of the options so i have some work ahead of me.

I'm definalty proud of her, she certainly deserves something nice!

[laficion]

I'm definalty proud of her, she certainly deserves something nice!

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, take her to France, We also have a city in the south

called "NICE"

O.K. I give up, cheers my friend.

[terrantheman]

I just got a quote from a friend of mine who is a travel agent. Trip for 2 to Maui with a 5 nights stay at the Ritz Carlton and airfare $2400 out of ChiTown! That's frickn' fantastic to bad I don't have time this time of year considering all the soup that needs to be eatin' Just thought I'd add that to your list of things!

[Van55]

Congrats to you both.

As nice as lessons, vacations, etc. are, I really think you should give her something tangible and lasting as part of the deal, whether it be a bracelet as you suggested or something else. Every time she wears it or looks it, it will remind her of her accomplishment and how proud you are of it. Maybe a brand new Oreck vacuum cleaner. (Kidding!)

Then I would couple that with something really romantic such as a long weekend together at the Sanderling Resort on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. (There are some nice golf courses on the Outer Banks.)