For Christmas, I'd like to surprise my 25-year-old son with a trip to Hawaii.

Can you suggest a creative, unique way that I might do so?

Many thanks

(mr) Butterscotch Baggins

Are you asking for help with planning the trip? How to buy plane tickets, make hotel reservations, schedule activities? OR just a way to present the gift to your son?

Have you choosen which island yet?

I surprised my daughter with a trip to Hawaii (where she was born but left at 2 months old) by getting the tickets and a selection of brochures on the islands from a travel agency and gift wrapping them in a big box that she opened along with her other high school graduation gifts.

First, Mr. Baggins, would you like to adopt a couple more children to send to Hawaii? Like a 43-yr-old Iowan and her hubby?

How fun!! Do you have a party supply store nearby? You would probably find some Hawaii "stuff" there that you could use to wrap either his plane tickets or a home-printed "gift certificate for one trip to Hawaii" in it.

You could also put together a Hawaiian gift basket and put the tickets or "gift certificate" in that. If you can't find Hawaiian stuff locally, you could order from the ABC store in Hawaii - http://www.abcstores.com/browse.cfm/2,5.html.

It could contain macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, maybe a little hula doll or toy surfboard.

Hawaii themed ornament as one of the gifts?

I'm with Iowagirl. Want to adopt a 60 yr old Virginian? Wow, what a great gift. I think a "gift certificate" and brochures are a great idea. That way he can go on his own schedule. Kona coffee and Mac nuts are a good idea -- but don't forget Dole Pineapples.

How bout putting a ticket or note inside an Elvis Christmas CD and ask him to open it, so you can enjoy the music on Christmas Day with him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abchs...feature=search

Wow, what wonderful ideas. Thank you so much.

Any others?

(And a Merry Christmas to one and all)

I think the Hawaiian music CD is a great idea!! You can even find Christmas themed collections (just Google).

These Island Princess Mele Macs are the most scrumptious confections: plump mac nuts dipped in a thin coat of toffee, a coating of chocolate, and dusted with powdered sugar. http://www.islandprincesshawaii.com/...et-p/lmm-g.htm

I buy them at Costco in Kona, but I've had them shipped as a gift in a lauhala woven box with a ribbon. It's $35 with shipping.

You could tuck the tickets in the box.

I think the other ideas are great, especially the music, but if anyone hasn't tried Mele Macs, they are good!

I wouldn't get too carried away with the cute packaging. Just any one of these ideas & if you want to spend more, I say tuck in some cash! Nothing is a more practical gift on a vacation trip then some extra money -lol!

Again, thanks to all of you who made such wonderful suggestions. Kailani, I am going to order the Mele Macs, but they'll undoubtedly be gone long before Christmas.

Mele Kalikimaka, (I know, it's August),

Mr. Butterscotch Baggins