Today is the day to get to the Hideout nice and early.

Funny Ha-Ha 4-Ever is tonight. TONIGHT!

My self-described "know-it-all" Mom returns for more advice. Have a question? Send it in.

Dear Mrs. Zulkey.com Does Not Believe in Equal-Opportunity Gift-Giving

Dear Mrs. Zulkey.com,

I recently started seeing a gentleman who is involved in the theatre. Is it appropriate to give him flowers on opening nights and other such momentous, show-related occasions? It just seems counterintuitive for a woman to present a man with flowers, but I know some people do it, and I want to be
able to commemorate his special nights...and somehow I just don't think a bottle of Brut will do. You're such a classy lady, so I know you'll have the best insight.

Sincerely,

Power in Petals?

Dear Miss Flower Power,

While flowers can be festive and congratulatory, they are ephemeral and are for friends, sisters and aunts to give. But from someone special to someone special what you'd like is a more permanent token of your good wishes.

If you were a fan of old movies, as I am, you'd know exactly what to do, which is, engrave something. In the 1946 movie, "Night and Day," Cary Grant plays, but fortunately looks nothing like, Cole Porter. Before the opening night of each of his productions his lovely, much older, and fabulously wealthy wife, Linda, presented him with a sterling silver cigarette case, the inside of which was engraved with the name of the new show, the year of production, and something like "As ever, Linda." This may be the only factual part of the film portrayal of what the French would call their mariage blanc.

So, depending on the length and depth of your relationship, follow suit! Tiffany's has affordable keychains suitable for engraving. If that seems too much, too soon, we can tone it down a bit. Do you know the size of the playbill? You could personalize a silver frame for it. Any trophy shop will engrave. It could also make up a small brass plate, one side of which is sticky, that you could attach either to a leather folder/binder for his souvenir script or a small cufflink box. You could also have crystal engraved, such as a beer mug, paperweight or ashtray. It goes without saying that your message can be as playful or creative as you wish, perhaps incorporating the name of the character he's portraying.

And there you have some ideas from which to work. Now go break a leg!