For either his forthcoming birthday or for Christmas, I'd like to give my son a trip to London. Can you suggest any way of presenting this as a surprise? (Some years ago, I gave my parents a trip to Ireland, and boxed the "present" in emerald foil. The "present" was an Aer Lingus flight bag that held the tickets. . . It worked beautifully.)

Many thanks,

BB

Since you asked here on Fodors forum:

How about giving him the Fodors London 2009 guidebook as a present, with the e-ticket of the plane ticket tucked inside?

http://www.randomhouse.com/category/...=9781400019441

No, I don't work for Fodors.

My dad gave me a trip to the Bahamas, and he wrapped a map and my ticket in newspaper that had an article about the Bahamas on it. I thought it was pretty clever.

Also, if it is for christmas, you could give him an ornament that is related to London, like the flag or Big Ben.

I also like the guidebook idea as well.

Oh, I like the ornament idea... although I'm not sure my brothers would be as enthusiastic. But you know yours! I like the guidebook idea as well. You could find a pair of "Tube" socks and put the ticket inside, or maybe a book of London photographs?

I was going to suggest a London guidebook too, BUT...maybe it would be a good idea to hold off on buying the airline ticket until AFTER you suprise him, to avoid scheduling conflicts. Unless it's a ticket that can be changed without penalty fees.

I just thought of this, my friend was given a trip to Paris. She was given a post card of the Eiffel Tower on the front. On the back it was already addressed to "Mom and Dad" and had enough postage to send the card home from Paris.

One of these oyster card wallet / map gizmos?
http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/gadge...let/index.html

How about asking him to collect something for you. Then give him the instructions tot he lost property office at Baker St.

Or a Paddington Bear - but change the note to "please look after this bear and take me back to London"

My Heavens. . . You folks are awesome. . . Such wonderful choices.

BB

PS: any additional would be most welcomed.

I love the postcard idea!

I keep thinking of this my parents have done for me...

I also once got tickets to a concert... instead of handing me an envelope that would give away that it was some sort of ticket, they put the envelope in the bottom of a box for something that wouldn't be very exciting (I think it might have been a toaster?, I was moving to college)... so I prepared myself to be disappointed, then I got the envelope and it made me that much more excited...

My friend just surprised her parents for Christmas with a trip to Rome. She had nested boxes (one inside the other) and wrapped each one individually. In the innermost one, she put cute luggage tags (from Kate Spade, I think) in them. She put a little note on each luggage tage saying it would be used for their trip. They loved it.