Gift ideas for a dad turning 80 who prefers simple things

[SummerDive]

It’s my dad’s 80yo birthday soon.
What worked for you know people that age ? I’m struggling with ideas. Let alone something that is meaningful.

He doesn’t go out much, doesn’t have any particular interest and spends A LOT of time on his phone or on his computer (SM and games).

Im trying to find something meaningful but im stuck.
My parents already have a digital photo frame. He refuses any apple product so an iPad is out. And he tends to be very dismissive of anything deemed ‘luxurious’ or ‘not essential’.

Digital radio, Alexa, a hamper of all the treats he’d never buy himself ( fancy chocolate, good coffee, nice biscuits, lovely toiletries, candles etc), cashmere jumper, afternoon tea somewhere special? Would any of these be suitable?

Massage
Massage chair
Gaming mouse and keyboard
Afternoon tea
Meal out like steakhouse or 8 course taster menu

Good quality screen cleaner and cloth, perhaps with a desk holder for them?

Vitamin D supplements?

We made dad a photo book of his life for his 90th and he loves it

Subscription to a magazine related to something he might be interested in?

We did a hamper with his favourite foods and sweets - particularly those things that aren’t so easy to find plus foods that represented events in his life

he liked the toblerome with ‘happy 80th’ on it!

It doesn’t need to be meaningful, it just needs to be thoughtful. If he likes spending time on his phone or computer playing games, get him a comfy cushion. I bought 80-year old relative cashmere socks without the super grippy elastic tops as she sat a lot and her legs would have huge indents where her socks had been. She loved them! Stop worrying about what he does with his time and start thinking about making life more comfortable for what he enjoys to do.

What about an activity that's not screen related. Eg a Lego set of something he's interested in, a jigsaw, or painting by numbers kit?

Luxury versions of his favourite food drink treats - cheese, nuts, chocolate, biscuits, spirits etc?

Spotify subscription? Or something music related depending on what he likes. It can be enjoyed then regardless of health, mobility, and so on.

Just my opinion - but I’d drop the idea that it needs to be meaningful. I’d get food or drink that he likes. I say this because I think people often try to give meaningful presents to older people who really aren’t that fussed and just want to enjoy whatever it is they enjoy, no matter how simple.

Thank you all.
Lots to think about.
I can’t do food related gift because my mum will freak out unless it’s supper ‘healthy’. My dad was/is(?) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has had his gall bladder out so anything vaguely sweet or fatty is out (even if my dad would actually enjoy them)
Cashmere jumper has been a hit furca while - that was his Christmas present last year 😁

But a good computer chair is an excellent idea (his is in a dire state. I had forgotten about that!) and so is a Spotify subscription.

Btw I agree, it needs to be more thoughtful rather than meaningful.

Still hard to find some ideas 😂

Trawl through Amazon and Abebooks and look for a book that pertains to his childhood, old town/village, local big houses or whatever. My dad is perfectly compos mentis but does like a walk down memory lane.

Or a painting of an old landmark of his childhood?

My mum likes the trips out I arrange / local or a few days away depending on budget

My mum also likes trips out. She doesn't drive and can go most places on the bus or an organised coach tour, but it's also an extra treat for me to drive her to go places that aren't accessible on public transport and/or can take her dog, which she can't on the coaches she uses.

Does he like gardening? If so what about a traditional hand made Sussex trug? Do your research as they vary in price from about £60 plus

For my grandads 80th I brought him a newspaper reprint from the day he was born.
Also a nice hamper to enjoy reading it with.