Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Great Debate!

Next year Garth turns the big 3-0. He isn't exactly thrilled to be turning 30, but it's a big deal and I want to make it really special for him. I have tossed the ideas around of having a party, going away for a long weekend, and turning the basement into a man cave.





There are two destinations Garth has always wanted to go. The first is The Smokey Mountains. We always wanted to road trip it to Tennessee to hike, explore, and relax in a romantic cabin in the mountains.



The second place Garth and I have always wanted to go is Key West, FL. Garth has gone before and loves the scuba diving there. I have never been and always wanted to go. I know if I learned to scuba dive and got certified Garth would be THRILLED and it would be the best gift I could give him. It would probably be the most expensive of the three options and it would require the most effort on my part. Scuba diving is not my cup of tea. I much rather be on top of the water getting a tan!
He is seriously considering the man cave idea as well. Here is our basement when we moved in:






The only major differences are we have my parent's weights, a ping pong table, our old entertainment center, and my parent's old TV. Nothing on the walls. Not even a single chair! We take the living room chairs up and down. Pathetic I know.



Garth dreams of having the space turned into his own man cave. A bar, bar signs, theater seating, and a large flat screen TV. I am all about furnishing and making our home more of a home and this is the gift that keeps on giving!



Garth wasn't too fond of the party idea so we'll nix that idea. As much as I would love to throw him a surprise party I think I'll save that for his 40th or 50th birthday. So what would you chose - the cabin in the mountains, the beach vacay, or the man cave?

25 comments:

Lauren said...

Oh wow, you can’t go wrong with any of these!!! But like you said, the man cave is the gift that keeps on giving…. But to go away together would be so nice, too. I know this is no help, haha!!!

Jen Caputo said...

Hm... the man cave would be the gift that keeps on giving, but on the other hand, I'm a big believer in experiences over things. I'm no help :) Whatever you choose will be awesome!

Carrie said...

Mancave. I think it will make 30 and onward easier for him to accept because he'll always has his youthful indulgences downstairs waiting for him. Vacations are a great memory but they only last a few days.

ashleigh said...

that is a great debate;
do you think he would eventually find out that you are learning how to scuba?
because then it wouldnt be so much a surprise =]
i love the man cave idea because that would last for a reallly long time;
but i am always a fan of a vacation and i love the mountains;
[i didnt make this any easier for you ha]
soooo...i say one of the vacations; because im sure over time you will make the man cave come alive!

Whimsy said...

They are all such great ideas - I might actually "borrow" the SCUBA one! The benefit to the man-cave is not only does it keep on giving, but you can continue to get him gifts for his cave for a couple of years. A silly sign one year, a neon light another year, a DVD collection, etc.

Café Moka said...

The man cave is such a great idea! He would love it! And it's a gift that keeps on giving!
My boyfriend is also turning 30 next year (in March) and I also want to do something special!

www.ilovecafemoka.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I'd totally go with the man cave! My husband just got his first this year and he is thrilled. I think that he would love to have his own space, it would be a practical investment all around, and men are all about practical ways of spending money, especially when it benefits them! :)

The Rest is Still Unwritten said...

Wow! Those are some tough choices...I will be no help at all. But I'm sure whatever you do will be awesome!!

Lauren said...

Oh those all sound incredible! I might spring for a nearby weekend or long weekend away...you guys live in Michigan right?!? Such fun places for a weekend away, and then you can finish the man cave as well!

Rebecca Jo said...

I think the mancave is a great idea... will get much more use out of it...

but also love the idea of a trip... especially for a good birthday number as 30. I'm a "Smokey Mountain Junkie" too - LOVE LOVE LOVE Gatlinburg so I'm always prone to choose that.

I think you'll have a happy husband no matter what :)

Emily said...

BEACH BEACH BEACH 100x!

Lee said...

I'm voting man cave. I guess I'm of the mindset to get a return on my investment. Plus, the bars I've seen in basements have been awesome! Entertaining, television - and as someone else said, you can keep adding gifts to the room.

Bekah said...

I would choose the cabin the mountains. In all likelihood, you guys are going to finish the basement at some point regardless..so I would do that slowly over time, and actually go away for the trip! Not that you could go wring with the key west trip, but there is something about the mountains that appeals to me more right now! Cozy, romantic, fun!

Unknown said...

I'm probably with most everyone else in my vote for the man cave. It's a great choice to setup and have a room like that. Helps for entertaining, relaxation, keeps peace in the relationship..lol..plus it adds resale value to the house if you should choose to sell down the road!

www.brewingdaily.blogspot.com

Lindsay said...

i think the man cave would be the best! vacays are always amazing but are short lived...man caves are not!

Mrs. S. said...

I loved Key West! But I would go with the man cave. I think in the long run it would pay off. You could go somewhere close and do a nice weekend getaway so that you could still do the man cave.

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

That's tough. A man cave is obviously something that would last....but vacations are so nice! If you go the trip route, definitly do Key West! The Florida Keys are one of my favorite places. It's a whole different world down there! And make sure to do the drive down from Miami instead of flying directly in. It takes a little longer, but it's so worth it. It's a gorgeous stretch of highway!

Mrs. Yellow Ribbon said...

I'd say the cabin the the mountains, since neither of you have done that before.

Mrs. Yellow Ribbon said...

I'd say the cabin the the mountains, since neither of you have done that before.

Erica said...

Such great ideas! Vacations are a great memory but they only last a few days.

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Megan said...

Man Cave!! Something he can enjoy ALL the time!!

Nicole said...

I lived in TN and my hubbs and I honeymooned in the Smokies and its BEAUTIFUL!!! We go back once a year because we love it so much...so I vote for the Mts

rental mobil said...

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Kate said...

If you go to the Smokey Mountains, I recommend going in the fall. Being from Nashville, my family went every fall and I loved it. The leaves and changing and its just gorgeous. And that whole area goes ALL OUT with fall decorating.

LAURA@laurasblondemoments said...

I am a beach person through and through, so I would have to go with Key West. However, I'm with you! I'm scared of all of the sea creatures that I may or may not encounter, and am much better on a float working on my tan.

Your hubs sounds like a good guy and would be happy with whatever you may choose. The mountain cabin would be cool too, especially if there was a pool table or jacccuzi

I would prob save the surprise party, like you said, for the 40th or 50th, but if he wanted friends to come out to celebrate with him would be fun. Let us know what you end up deciding to do.

Laura
laurasblondemoments.blogspot.com