Gift ideas for lovely man who's just had an operation?

[ScrambledSmegs]

My DFIL is a the aforementioned lovely man. He's just had a planned operation, will be off his feet for a few weeks and having physio for a while after that, and we want to get him something small, appropriate but not 'invalid' specific, IYKWIM. I'm normally good at presents but I'm struggling with something that won't have limited use or would be a little bit patronising.

He's normally pretty active although struggled for a while recently. Cycles and walks. He's well-read, enjoys shows like the Sopranos and Breaking Bad. Loves cheese, rarely drinks. He's quietly funny and very witty. We obviously love him very much . Any ideas?

I'd probably go for something he could do whilst recovering eg book, puzzle, brain teaser etc.

Thanks Empress. DH has vetoed all of those things though . To be fair we've played some blinders recently (cheese club subscription to name one) and I think DH is hoping for something with a similar wow-factor. Although it's mainly me that has to come up with these things and I've run out of inspiration!

Hmm. Binoculars maybe? He loves watching birds at their feeders.

Does he have a tablet? Would he like one?

Alternatively I think you can get bird feeders with cameras in them to stream to your device if he already has one.

RSPB subscription?

Would he like posh chocs? Something like Leonidas maybe?

Or if they’re too expensive (no idea of budget sorry) a window bird feeder to attract birds where he can see them while he’s incapacitated?

Window mounted bird feeder www.amazon.co.uk/Meripac-Limited-Window-Feeder/dp/B0012UO76A/ref=asc_df_B0012UO76A/?hvlocphy=1006867&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=235139895745&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos=1o2&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-613436924592&hvrand=1410898398525650721

Some kind of kit to build

www.idler.co.uk/articles/

An Idler magazine subscription. They also have weekend retreats (Michael Palin has been!) and interesting meet ups. They have online courses too which your fil may enjoy.

Model making kit
Book tokens
Jigsaw
Bop it! (My DF loves it and spends ages playing with ours whenever he visits!)
Book of card tricks
A puzzle www.happypuzzle.co.uk/products/double-trouble.aspx
Where’s Trump? www.waterstones.com/book/wheres-trump/anastasia-catris/9781409167730

Ah, thanks some great ideas.

RJNomore1 They have a tablet, he doesn't really use it, both him and DMIL are tech-averse to quite a hilarious level. Window feeder is a lovely idea. I think our local wildlife sanctuary sells them. I'll take a look!

Wilma55 RSPB subscription sounds lovely, but I think DH will point out that he just likes to watch the garden birds, he's not serious about it. I will investigate though as I really like that one.

Magissa I've never heard of the Idler. Is it good?

SrSteve He's more into cheese than chocs I'm afraid! Thanks.

Thanks LWMummy the bird feeder looks great. He's not really a kit-builder type, he's loves building things but they're normally from scratch and completely bodged .

Ricekrispie Oh the tales I could tell about how annoyed Bop It makes DFIL! I don't think I'd dare be in the same room!

The Idler is wonderful. There is a sample copy to read on the website. T
www.idler.co.uk/sample-issue/
Full of interesting, intelligent, humourous articles.

If he reads, books of the kind he likes. Best thing I took to a sister who was laid up after an op was half a dozen paperbacks I knew she'd enjoy.
If not, box sets, books of crosswords/Sudoku, etc?

A now tv box for his bedroom and 1 months subs to now tv if he hasn't got sky? Or kindle and 1 months unlimited subs.
Or arrange for the paper to be delivered daily.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER OHHHHH! I HAVE HAD AN IDEA! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I'm sorry about the shouting . Must have hit Caps Lock in my excitement.

@ScrambledSmegs so go on what are you going with?

I need to check with DH first, but I'd been talking to DFIL about the Shardlake series of books by CJ Sansom and he was really interested. They're right up his street. I can get him at least the first 6, if not all 7.

Plus cheese. He always appreciates a bit of cheese.

Would he like a National Geographic subscription? Although he'd probably only get one or two issues while he's recovering from the op.

The window feeder sounds like a nice idea but would that mean lots of bird poo on the window (MIL might end up having to clean it all)?

They already have a bunch of bird feeders directly outside their living room windows, so I don't think it would cause that much more of an issue. I take your point though, I'll ask DMIL what she thinks.

How about a book on rambling in your area!
He could have a read up then have a wander when he's feeling better.

Oops, that should have been ? Not !

I'm presuming it's his legs, so in no particular order: A Leg To Stand On by Jonathan Sacks, Touching the Void by Joe Simpson, A Time Of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor and so forth. The GCHQ puzzle book is quite good.