[Grammar] How about / What about

[Delphine]

My brother, Tom's birthday is coming. I don't know what to buy for him.

1. "How about buying him a racket?"
2. "What about buying him a racket?"

Are both 1 & 2 acceptable?
What is their difference?

Thanks!

 

[emsr2d2]

They're both acceptable. Note that some BrE speakers (like me) still spell it "racquet" when referring to sports equipment.

 

[tzfujimino]

Hello, Delphine.

Yes, they are acceptable.
You can use either when making a suggestion. They mean the same.
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/how#how__156
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/what#what__180

 

[Matthew Wai]

What is their difference?

I would say 'What is the difference between them?'