My husband Jamie and I are generally not extravagant gift givers. Well, with the exception of the time he bought me a Honda Pilot for my birthday (though I think it should not have counted because we were already in the market for a car). Have you ever topped a gift like that? Yeah, me neither.
This year, I was at a loss regarding what to buy Jamie for Father’s Day. The man pulled all the stops for Mother’s Day: he took me to Jill’s restaurant in Boulder and surprised me at dinner by slipping me a room key for the gorgeous St. Julien Hotel and Spa. Oh, and did I mention our little getaway was without kids?
Because isn’t that what Mother’s Day is all about: getting a break from those who made you a mother?
And so my quest began to give Jamie a comparable celebration. I queried my friends who gave me some great suggestions but nothing resonated with me. As I pondered his latest passions and interests, it came down to only one thing: pumpkins. The man is obsessed with growing big pumpkins (if you missed that big reveal, make sure to checkout Sordid Secrets and the Husbands Who Keep Them).
And then an idea came to mind–a big idea. But could we afford it? I casually mentioned to Jamie that I wanted to surprise him with a bit of an extravagance for Father’s Day and needed to know how much I could spend. Within moments–moments, people–he was crunching numbers at the computer. An hour later, he came forth with an extravagant number.
I’m just trying to figure out why that money didn’t surface for the spa weekend I wanted to take.
And his big surprise? I am taking my beloved husband to Boston to attend the Topsfield Fair in October. If you do not live in Pumpkin-Obsessed Mania, Topsfield is the Mecca of pumpkin geeks growers and just last year a new world record was set.
To say the man was excited is a bit of an understatement. The downside is I will have to feign excitement about big pumpkins and this will only worsen Jamie’s obsession.
The upside? We are staying at a B&B in Salem.
Without kids.
Sensing a pattern here? 🙂
How did you celebrate Father’s Day?
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
Suzanne Bastien
Well… we don’t have a ton of money right now.
But I got him a cute card signed by all of us, and then all of the teens wrote him a letter citing their favorite memories with him.
He had no idea, and he loved it!
They were also very funny.. I was in tears with laughter when they were telling me.
One day I’ll be able to get him something more!
Erika
You should also look into Morton, IL where the Pumpkin Festival is held every September. They put pumpkin in every kind of food imaginable. They claim to be the Pumpkin Captiol.
yvonne
Sounds like you did get Jamie the perfect gift. I’m boring–mine got a box of candy! We’re not really that big on gift-giving for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. I did fix his favorite meal.
Emma
Morton, IL is definitely the pumpkin capitol! Libby’s pumpkin plant is there. They have pumpkin launchings, pumpkin food, lots of pumpkin fun. Only problem? It’s Morton, IL. LOL I used to live there, no b&b’s to speak of, just lots and lots of corn.. and of course, pumpkins! Near Peoria, IL, still not as exciting as Boston.
Amber Johnson
The Morton, IL would seriously be my dream to attend because I LOOOOOOOOVE eating everything pumpkin.
However, for pumpkin growers, Morton is small tomatoes….pumpkins compared to Topsfield. I had actually originally planned for us to go to Half Moon Bay’s big pumpkin festival but Jamie informed me it was not part of the GPC (Great Pumpkin Commonwealth).
Yes, folks, the PUMPKIN WORLD HAS A COMMONWEALTH!
Kimberly
Okay, you’ve got me hugely beat babe. That is beyond untoppable considering the man is so obsessed with pumpkins he -blogs- about them. =P
Good on ya!
smartmama
Oh what a perfect thing- but come on a B&B, I totally would have given you a child free room at The smartmama inn- do let me know when you head to the great commonwealth! Maybe I could thrown in a pumpkin painting as a momento of the pumpkin extravaganza (it would actually be very funny)
Leslie
OK…you guys really know how to give each other gifts!!!
Jdude
Oh crap! Was it Father’s Day yesterday?
Jen Smith
Your husband is toooooo funny! Cute piece
Jen Smith
As for what I got mine, well I fed his XBox addiction. Something I will regret later, I’m sure!
Andy Carpenter
What a perfect gift for your husband! For Father’s Day, we did a little getaway just the two of us!
Andy Carpenter
P.S. I have friends who run a B&B in Salem. You will love it!
Melissa
You are one GOOD wife! My hubby didn’t get much this year… we bought a WII in May as a combo Mother’s/Father’s Day gift…
Wendi
Congratulations on all the awards.
You are most deserving.
As far as Father’s Day gifts… you definitely get the prize.
For originality.
Atleast you know there will be great shopping and dining.
Wouldn’t want you to have to endure the great pumpkin patch all weekend!
Damselfly
OK, you definitely win!
Lizzy
You are so much nicer than me. All I gave my husband was *permission* to go jet skiing, I didn’t actually get him a jet ski or anything nice like that.
P.S. thanks so much for saying you would have voted for me on your blog. You totally made my day!
Guinevere Meadow
I never know what to get for my husband for ANY gift-giving occasion.
Shannon (Cole Mine)
What a thoughtful gift! Can’t wait to hear about your trip…We went to the zoo and had dinner in the garden.
🙂
Kalisha
We had a relaxing weekend. My in-laws came out to visit on Saturday, so I had a chance to take Brett to rollerblade on the boardwalk. Then we went to Gladstone’s in Malibu for an early dinner. On sunday I made him his favorite foods and tried not to rush him around to do things. It is a tradition for him to follow clues to his Father’s Day gifts. All of his gifts were handmade; a decoupaged cup to hold special treasures with the girls and I picture on the bottom, a card from the girls, a letter from me and a handprint keepsake from the girls (you can see it on my personal blog http://ajourneythrufaith.wordpress.com). Overall, we just wanted him to know how special is to us and how lucky we are to have him in our lives. Well, without him there wouldn’t be a Journey and Faith!
Kalisha,
http://mommylounge.wordpress.com
Gina (mannyed)
way cool, Amber! Too bad the pumpkin capital of the world wasn’t in NYC. :o) Or Aruba.
snoflake22
We haven’t lived here long and had yet to make it to Rocky Mtn National Park. So we (including kids) drove up and went to Estes Park, stopped at a winery, and went through Rocky Mtn. Park. Then we stopped at the Dairy KING for dessert. We usually eat really healthy very different food, and he was thrilled with some burgers, onion rings and ice cream cones! ha!!