WWSND: How would you approach this situation?

[Deleted]

One of my really good friends here is kind of in the process of breaking up with her long term boyfriend (who still lives in Seattle.) 

A while back I organized a girl's trip to a Christmas Market in Switzerland (going in November) and I invited her. At the time she said she couldn't go because her bf might be coming to visit at that time. He's definitely not coming to visit now. 

For her bday (which is coming up in early November) I really want to buy her a plane ticket (it's cheap) to come with us to Switzerland for the weekend. She wouldn't need to take any time off of work (we go Sat-Sun) and the hotel was cheap too, so I'd cover that as well for her. I've already cleared it with the other girls that are coming (they know her and everyone gets along great) and they're happy if she comes too. 

Last night I talked to her and she said that since he's not coming now she's really interested in going, but it'll be a few weeks before she can look into tickets because she has a ton of people coming to visit. If she waits till mid October to buy her ticket then the ticket will be like 3-4x the cost it is now. 

The only cost she would need to cover is food/shopping once we get there. I don't want it to come off like "I'm offering to buy your ticket because you can't afford it" (because she clearly can), but more like "you're my friend and I want you to have fun for your birthday and I'm sorry about your bf" How would you approach this offer of buying her a plane ticket now (as a birthday present) to come to Switzerland? 

[toratoratori]

I would just straight up say, "Let me buy you the ticket. My gift to you for your birthday." I think the "I want you to have fun and sorry about your boyfriend" is implied - no need to bring it up.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 14:13:35 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

I would just straight up say, "Let me buy you the ticket. My gift to you for your birthday." I think the "I want you to have fun and sorry about your boyfriend" is implied - no need to bring it up.

But is it ok for me to offer to buy her the ticket now...considering her bday is almost 2 months away?

[fiddles]

Sept 18, 2014 14:15:27 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Sept 18, 2014 14:13:35 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

I would just straight up say, "Let me buy you the ticket. My gift to you for your birthday." I think the "I want you to have fun and sorry about your boyfriend" is implied - no need to bring it up.

But is it ok for me to offer to buy her the ticket now...considering her bday is almost 2 months away?

Yup. Early birthday present.  I would put it in a card and wrap it up.  Treat it as if it's her birthday.

[Deleted]

Thanks wise nexties. I feel like I always over think these things. *embarrassed*

[toratoratori]

Sept 18, 2014 14:23:03 GMT -5 fiddles said:

Sept 18, 2014 14:15:27 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

But is it ok for me to offer to buy her the ticket now...considering her bday is almost 2 months away?

Yup. Early birthday present.  I would put it in a card and wrap it up.  Treat it as if it's her birthday.

Seconded!

[MrsPotatohead]

yup, ditto pp!