what are you getting your dad for Christmas?

[sweetheart]

Following on from the mum thread please can you share your fab xmas present ideas for your dad's? My dad is the main person I really struggle with each year and so any inspiration would be very gratefully received!

[Pinkjenny]

Watching with interest.

[mistressploppy]

Wine Society membership, here

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

Depends on the dad! My dad loves hillwalking, motorbiking and gadgets, so we usually get him something to do with that. Also books- current affairs/ travel. A bottle of port, fudge, sometimes get him something to wear. My DH is usually good at finding things for dad, so I leave it up to him!

[GeorgeWBush]

midget gems
North Face tshirt

[PaulineFouler]

I have got my Dad the complete Steptoe and Son boxset.

He works away a lot so watches a lot of boxsets.

[NordicPrincess]

ive got my dad a book on mugabe-fun reading not

[BornToFolk]

A log maker

He's either going to love it, or hate it!

[sweetheart]

ok well my dad is retired and has hardly any hobbies. He likes football but has already been given everything you can possibly think of for the team he supports. He like cricket too but it's out of season for xmas. He doesn't really drink - not too much anyway. He's too big for most standard clothes shops and he doesn't really like new clothes anyway. He is the ultimate nightmare to buy for!

He does have a chimnea AND a habit of collecting newspapers so maybe the log maker would work

[BendyBob]

I always buy my dad the same thing but he never seems to want anything else: Private Eye subscription.

He's doubled up laughing at it all year round. Fab!

Another idea though which I'm considering for in laws - theatre vouchers, cos they're into that sort of thing.

[Ooopsadaisy]

My Dad turns 70 next year and doesn't want for much as he likes the simple things in life. Anything else he wants he has money to buy for himself.

A couple of years ago (out of desperation) I asked him what he wanted. His reply - "food".

He is really fit and healthy without an inch of fat on him and is a real foody (like me!) so I thought "ok - I'll make up a hamper!"

I have done this ever since for birthdays, fathers days and Christmas and he is always delighted. I can buy bits each week so it doesn't hit the purse too hard at once and decorate a big box with paper, celophane and ribbons.

[TheRedSalamander]

He has a metal detector so I'm going to get him a book to help identify the items he might come across.

In the past I've bought him; a historical book about the area he grew up in, a foodie hamper as per oopsadaisy, garden-y gadgets (one received with most glee was a firestick- one of those flint type things that you can strike with something to make a spark a la Ray Mears. Doubt he's ever used it but he enjoyed receiving it), a keyboard hoover, various scientific books.

I might consider a subscription to the New Scientist- although he's in an engineering profession he's not a boffin type scientist, but this is the sort of thing he'd probably find interesting and could dip in and out of throughout the month.

[aDarkStarWithStrangeWays]

Probably this album.

My dad is impossible to buy for as he already has everything he wants/needs, but he'll probably like this.

[gillybean2]

I bought him this
www.pasttimes.com/calendars/forgotten-english-365-day-2011-desk-calendar/invt/827441/?htxt=hewww6aFJAnlxc%2FDikjpKjq0a3OWEYnQ3Mb%2FBDAt9AgD8ohvO3PogeYNw6RCN8WBKyVOai17OuiK%0AnAyapvnIzA%3D%3D

[taffetacat]

My Dad has leukaemia and diabetes but I am still getting him some Bendicks BitterOranges - he'll just have to ration himself.

I'm also getting him an Amazon voucher. My mum is getting him an iPad.

[turnipvontrapp]

panto ticket and a box of chocs

[BelligerentGhoul]

My dad's birthday is on Christmas Eve, so I have to think of double the ideas.

I will probably get him -

A couple of history books
Some whisky
Some Duchy oatcakes etc
Cheese

[KittyFoyle]

Nothing. He's dead. But if he were here I'd buy theatre tickets for Rory Kinnear in Hamlet and then take him out for a lovely dinner at Hix afterwards. And some socks.

[TwentiethCenturyHeffa]

I bought my Dad the Times Atlas of Britain. . Right up his street (he loves maps) and I got it for £15 from the Book People.

[SantasMooningArse]

My Dad's easy

FIL however- no. I;ve got him a nice wallet whcih DH likes the look of, but it's also his birthday and no ideas at all. He's not into clothes, books, nice food, it must be postable, he likes carnivals and Cliff Richard. I did once buy him a Cliff DVD he wanted but i've told him with emphasis that I would rather buy him porn than Cliff, and I am not buying porn either! I had to get it sent in a padded brown envelop so I did!

So it'll likely be an Amazon voucher and No Question Asked about how it is spent.

[BelligerentGhoul]

I bought my dad that atlas a couple of years ago. He still raves about it being one of the best presents ever!

[lucyspangle]

Alan Sugar biography
Chanel aftershave
he's a dream to buy for lots of hobbies etc but FIL no hobbies doesn't drink doesn't wear aftershave,doesn't like music books films so we are giving him and MIL £200 of hotel vouchers

[MamaVoo]

Mumsnet is brilliant. I always struggle with what to get my dad, especially as his birthday is only a week before Christmas. I've just ordered The Times Atlas from the Book People. Thanks Twentieth

[Moneyspider]

Last year, got him a "Spring Watch" type birdbox with wireless camera. Blue tits nested in it in spring- was a massive success.

This year, Eric Clapton tickets.

[chocolatecheesecake]

Genius idea moneyspider! Where did you get the birdbox from? My dad would love one.

My dad is also impossible to buy for. Presents that have gone down well are Chelsea flower show tickets, breadmaker, and webcam for skyping to see granddaughter. And sweets.

[DandyDan]

Getting him the new Will Hutton book "Them and Us: Politics, Greed and Inequality ? Why We Need a Fair Society".