80th birthday present - just what?!

[VenusClapTrap]

It’s DDad’s 80th birthday coming up. What the jeff do I buy him?

He doesn’t have any hobbies. He doesn’t like ‘clutter’. He won’t wear clothes he hasn’t chosen. Fancy edibles get left in the cupboard, except chocolates. He doesn’t read. He gets cross if more than a token amount is spent on him. He does let me buy him socks at Christmas (plain black, M&S only).

We are taking him for dinner, and I’m going away for a weekend with him and DB (no spouses or grandchildren as he can only cope with any of them for limited spells). I would like to get him some kind of gift though. Preferably something better than a lame box of chocs like I usually resort to. Any ideas?

I honestly think a meal out and a weekend away is enough. However, I know the feeling of wanting to give them something special.

I don't think there is anything 'lame' about chocolates if that is what he likes. If you really don't come up with anything else, you could make him a voucher for a box of chocolates a month and buy him a box each month?

My Dad just turned 80, with a very similar approach to birthdays and gifts as your Dad. We put together a photobook of photos of his life - he loved it! (But it was hard to collate the photos!) He was also given a set of newspapers from the day he was born.

I agree with above a meal out would be great or maybe go to the likes of free prints and get a book made with pics of him and the family its a lovely keep sake and he doesn't have to worry how much it costs as they are cheep

When my great uncle turned 80 he bought himself a Mini Cooper!!

How about a newspaper from his 21st birthday, rather than the year he was born? The events in it will be things he remember, rather than 'history' if you see what I mean.

There's something called The Book of You that you can personalise. Facts about costs of living, etc. You can insert inset a few photos too, names. He might find it interesting. I have bought a couple for milestone birthdays in the past and they have gone down well.

Some great ideas, thank you. Don’t know why I didn’t think of photographs - a nice framed photo of my late DM in a quality silver frame would probably go down very well! The ‘Book of You’ idea made me smile because he regularly brings me receipts he’s found from things like a hotel stay in 1977 to complain at me about how ‘overpriced’ everything is now!

For her 80th mine did a hot air balloon ride.

My dad was into aeroplanes, especially the old ones. For his 80th, myself and by two siblings clubbed together and booked him a flight simulator in a Lancaster Bomber or a Spitfire or whatever it was. Unfortunately his health deteriorated and he never got to experience it but he was made up at the time.

We bought mine a bird table and Ancestry DNA kit.

A hot air balloon or flight sim would have been great for his 70th. But he has vision issues now (amongst other health irritations) and I think an experience like that would just highlight to him how much he has aged, sadly. Plus he’d complain about the cost 🙄.

An Ancestry kit is not a bad idea. I did one myself though, so I’m not sure how much extra we’d learn. He doesn’t like birds in the garden because they make a mess 🤦‍♀️.

My mum absolutely loved the pre-loaded digital photo frame that one of my siblings bought her.

You can send photos to some of them remotely, so your dad can have surprise pics popping up whenever.

A Chocolate Society (or similar, if they’ve gone bust) subscription would be nice, too.

For special birthdays for friends of mine, I made up a "scroll" type thing and framed it of things that happened on their birthday. I found the info on a website, can't remember what it was called, something like On This Day, (double check the answers!) I laminated it and it was a very popular thing for everyone.

My sister & I gave our dad one of those frames for Christmas & both send photos to it. He loves it.

Wow what make is the digital photo frame you can send images to?

@Toseland

https://amzn.eu/d/8Wq6LoE

here you go!

That’s one, I think lots have that feature though.

A framed print of a landmark where he grew up or a favourite place in the world for his wall?

Photo album of the family or a framed photo of you all?

Lots more great ideas, thank you! Glad I posted.

Thanks so much. There are some great ideas on here. x

A rose bush...lots with names or there is one called "grandpa" if you have children who need to give a gift

One time,we actually got my dad "a baloon in the box" seriously.... a random delivered box of a saturday , hes not ordered or expecting anything...didnt seem to register we all lurkin around..had gifted usual old spice.socks probli. and the absolute sheer delight,genuine "surprise"when he opened it and out popped a crappy helium happy birthday baloon. ...

is actual one of my fave memories. especially cos..few days later (like an actual responsible patriarch would?)he inhaled it and talked. we was alll laughing so hard we was in tears...
dunno that be a recommended bit tho

Something family related maybe? Could be an album of reprinted old photos from his youth, his parents, grandparents, etc. You can even colorize old black and white pictures or repair the damaged ones. Maybe contact other relatives to see if they have something else.

Digital photo frame is another great option, like LunaNorth suggested, or, if he uses calendars, you can make a family wall calendar with photos and birthday wishes from everyone.

Also does he like any particular restaurant? If so, you can order a nice meal delivered to him or book a table and treat him to a fancy dinner.

get a DAD tattoo over a massive loveheart-They all love that.lol