What to get step-dad?

[Independent Gal]

For my wedding, I'm getting my mom a gemstone, and I bought a gorgeous Canali tie for my dad. I would like to get something for my step-dad too, but he is soooo hard to buy for. Usually, I just make donations to UNICEF in his name for birthdays adn things, which he loves, but I think an object is more appropriate here.

I thought of many of the usual suspects:

cufflinks? but I once bought him a pair and he never wore them
a nice pen? i think he has a couple
and I don't want to get him a special tie, like I did for my dad to wear to the wedding, because I kind of compulsively buy my step-dad ties for no good reason (I LOVE TIES!

) so they aren't really a 'present' anymore in that context.

Help! help! Ideas? Thoughts? Budget is about $200.

Things he likes: books, politics, ideas, intellectual stuff, wine, his dog, ties (yay!), helping people, solving problems and puzzles....

 

[Independent Gal]

Well, it was down to the wire and I was still stumped, so I found him three fine first editions of books he loves. I hope he likes them! They won''t arrive till after we leave for WP1, but should be here for WP2.

Phew. That''s one more thing off my plate!

But I really, really hope he likes them.