If you (or the intended recipient) haven't done some astronomy before, DON'T BUY A SCOPE YET. If you do, there's a good chance you'll end up with something you'll be unhappy with in the long run.
Instead, buy a good set of astronomical binoculars and some star charts; you'll need these anyway, even after you do buy a scope, and by getting familiar with the night sky with binocs (much easier to use than a scope), you'll buy yourself time to research what type of scope is really best suited to your needs. It will also afford you the chance to find a local astro club where you can smooze and peek thru other people's scopes and grill them for the pro's and con's.
Last comment: the biggest scope in the world goes to waste if it just sits in your garage and never gets used. THe classic mistake is to buy too big, and too heavy, and too complex a scope when just starting out -- and then you find out it's too much of a hassle to drag it out and set it up. Think small, and you won';t get burned. You can always upgrade later....
excellent advice - dont forget a nice tripod to hold em steady