80th birthday gift for my dad

[TwoHoots74]

My dad is 80 this week. I know I've left it late!! Need to buy him a gift. He literally has no interests and can't be bothered to do anything. He's literally waiting to die.

I don't want to waste my money buying something that will get thrown in the floor and never looked at. He's diabetic as well so hampers are out. Doesn't drink either. He really is a lost cause.

Please help oh wise ladies.

Does he actually want anything? My parents are similar age and really don't want anyone to buy them things anymore.

What about a day out, or a afternoon tea ordered in or take him out? This is the sort of thing I do for my parents now, and just spending time with them. They appreciate this far more than gifts that they really don't want or need.

An echo dot type thing (you can tell I'm technically minded!)
Photo blanket
Bird feeder
Sorry, its really tricky isn't it. Got mine a photo book that he was delighted with but took ages to put together.

I bought my husband a seafood hamper, delivered in ice. He's not 80 but he said it was his best birthday ever!

My dad got a surprise party, actually he got two.

He also got

Chocolates
A share of a spitfire
A promise of being taken to a football match

My dad did national service in the RAF and has enjoyed gifts linked to that and a visit to Cosford for the museum. Things like the flying notes for a spitfire.

I assume your dad also did national service, was it a positive experience for him?

One gift that did go down well with my dad was a Citizen eco drive watch that runs on light, so you never need to wind it or change the battery. They start at about £50 and go up to expensive

Surprisingly another hit was a microscope that he can plug in to his lap top.

There's some really good ideas here but he really does nothing! His interests are zero. I've suggested all sorts before and he's dismissed it. All he does is sit in a chair watch tv and smoke and sleep. It's soul destroying.

I live 400 miles away so no chance of visiting him soon. Even that is painful as he has no conversation. It's just so sad.

In that case something for his chair/comfort?

Pillow, small table, throw?

It is sad, sad to read so I can't imagine for you.

Maybe a photo album or a photo book? You can digitize some of the old family pictures to colorize them and then reprint for the album, there are photo restoration programs like Photoglory or My heritage for that. Or maybe get him a digital photo frame and make a family pictures slideshow that would be on display. All that stuff could be delivered to his place and maybe he would feel less lonely with photos of his family around.

So sorry you can't visit him anytime soon! I hope you'll have a chance to do so.