cool Birthday present ideas to give my husband in the plane?

You might want to check with the airline about upgrading to a special meal that you could surprise him with. Or (and I know this isn't technically on the plane) make arrangements with your hotel that he is greeted with a "happy birthday" and perhaps a bottle of wine upon arrival.

Great idea James! You beat Eileen to it though. Just off the cuff here.....a nose ring with a silver chain?....ball and chain cufflinks? who wears them anymore, anyway....scratch that...how about if the two of you come across a jewellery store in rome and just happen to buy some nice friendship rings?? what a nice souvenier of Rome.

Oy! Ummmm, OK, aaaaah, I'm trying...I'm REALLY trying...uhhhhhh...ummmmmm - OKAY! How about: tickets to some event that you're researched (concert - rock, classical; or sporting event), a balloon ride, an 'invitation' to a splurge/inexpensive romantic picnic birthday dinner, museum tickets that you 'couldn't' get before leaving the states (sneaky!), a new iPod preloaded with his favorites for the long airplane ride. Besides the obvious (and thanks, James, for saying what I was thinking LOL!), is there something in particular that he's looking forward to seeing or doing in Rome? Is Rome your only stop? Does he have any special interests?

Don't know if you can afford to splurge; but, last year going to Europe I upgraded to first class for one way - (We were heading to England). I still flew home regular class. First Class was WONDERFUL and I'll always remember that experience. It was a wonderful way to really relax and be spoiled. When we got to the airport they kept announcing they had some 1st class tickets available going over. I don't know if you can upgrade ahead of time, but I lucked out at airport.

Marie beat me to the punch. For our anniversary one year I was able to get us upgraded to business class. (the parent of one of the students at my school worked for BA and helped arrange it for me) Hubby felt that this was such a wonderful surprize that he started to use miles to upgrade us whenever possible. I also liked the suggesstions about getting tickets to a special event (concert, sporting event, etc) and surprizing him with those. Or maybe upgrade your accomodations at the first stop? Or plan a couples spa visit?

Noise cancelling headphones!

Noise Canceling headphones is a perfect idea for something to give on the plane. James' idea may get you arrested, which would be something to laugh about for the rest of your lives.

How about buying some sexy lingerie, take some pics of yurself modelling same, pack the lingerie secretly for the trip, and give hime a card with the pics in it while on the plane, with a note about he'll get the real thing in Rome...lol

Glenn, you little devil ;-)

Lol...I dunno, maybe it's just me, but if I was on my honeymoon, and it was my birthday, the only thing I'd want is to hold my new wife in my arms...anything else would be second best...and if she had special lingerie on...well.... lol

Thanks guys for all the suggestions! I'm sure my husband to be will be delighted w your ideas, specially, with all the male suggestions ;) I will be following some of them hehe and I already figured out a gift that he will loooove! so Thanks again!

I love the creativity on this list. Gaby, enjoy your honeymoon and the start of a long life together. Congrats.

I highly recommend the upgrade to business class. The seats let out into a bed (you can sleep on the plane and lessen jet lag), you get your own personal movie viewer, noise canceling headphones, good food, etc...

We flew business class on BA on the way over for our first Europe trip. It was an overnight flight, so when we woke up it was our 1 year anniversary. Before sleeping, I went to the galley to ask the flight attendant to surprise my wife with her anniversary card and a class of OJ (with champagne) in the morning. It worked perfectly! As we were leaving the plane, the same flight attendant discretely handed us a bottle of very nice champagne to help us celebrate that night. What a fabulous gesture and definitely a highlight even today! Even the simple gesture of his birthday card with some juice when he wakes up will be a nice surprise.