L.D.
For a milestone birthday, I ususally give a gift that is special and has sentimental meaning or an experience.
Gifts that are special or sentimental include:
* A special photo album that you put together with your childhood and adult memories.
* An engraved watch.
* A oil painted replica of one of his baby photos.
* A 6-month or year long (whatever you can afford) subscription to the Sunset (magazine) Wine Club.
* If he has always had a wild dream to take up guitar or maybe play the harmonica, now is a perfect opportunity to purchase one of those instruments for him along with a "how to" video.
Experiences include:
* Tickets to a special theater production or concert that you know he would like to see.
* Day passes to a local amusement or water park for him and his family.
* A gift certificate for a special class or training that he has always wanted to do but never got around to it (golf, rock climbing, guitar, art, cooking, etc.).
* A gift certificate for a really special restaraunt in Chicago.
* Gift certificate for a 2-night stay at a not too far away B&B or resort in a vacation community for a little R&R.
That should get the ball rolling for you. Good luck selecting a gift.