Present for 80-year old dear old Taddy...

[Arlanymor]

So my lovely Dad is turning 80 and 'doesn't want anything'.

Yeah right!

I'm now heading there for the whole weekend... Saturday I will bake him some Anzac biscuits the morning and then we'll watch the rugby on the telly in the afternoon (note to self: pack wine). Sunday we're going out for lunch at a nice hotel and I'll sort out a cake.

So he's being semi-spoiled... for someone who didn't want something it's now a busy two days! I'm going to get him a signed book to open at the end of the day which I will pop under his pillow so it's his last fun thing of the weekend. But am stumped on something for him to open on the day. He plays golf but already has everything he needs for that, all the clothes and pyjamas and slippers and sock he needs...

I was thinking like an animal adoption type thing - maybe a rhino or a sloth?! Ideally in Wales so I can take him to visit it at some point. But any other ideas? I'm drawing a blank as this week is manic for me and I won't have much time to sort anything out now that we are actually marking the occasion (as of lunchtime today when I got a phone call!)

Any ideas gratefully appreciated!

Amongst other things, I got my Dad a newspaper that was printed on the day he was born.

I'm not sure that newspapers existed then... I jest, I jest. Great idea, thank you!

Oh dear!!!! I was making a joke too... will do a bit more googling.

Try here:
https://www.bygonenews.com/category/newspapers/?date=1945-12-2

We got the one that was bound like a book. It was lovely.

Out of stock too - popular day for sure! Will keep looking.

Dammit. There must have been a sudden, very short baby boom!

Must have! But I really appreciate your advice, thank you. He's so funny - adamant he didn't want a fuss, no presents, etc. Then pulled his back today and couldn't play golf and then I got call saying that maybe I could go over over at the weekend... and make biscuits... and watch the rugby... and take him to lunch on Sunday. Honestly! Think he's feeling a bit sorry for himself!

When I asked my brother what to get for an ex years ago he said ‘football stuff’ (for his team). I said he already has everything.
My brother said - yes but new stuff is always NICE to have. Maybe a new wee golfing thing wouldn’t go amiss.

Whatever you do,do not wear the sandals!!! 🤣🤣🤣. Just a safety precaution.

See I was going to - new tees etc. but with this back issue and the fact he couldn't play today I think it would make him more grumpy than anything. I was thinking of a new Welsh rugby shirt but we're not covering ourselves in glory either at the moment, so same issue = grumpy!

Thank you though, I probably sound cantankerous, I promise I am not being, he is just a tricky Tad! I might just get him a hundred bags of Percy Pigs at this rate - he loves those... but is trying to lose weight, so again no! This year is difficult!

Very true and probably a bit chilly to get my trotters out in West Wales this weekend! Planning on wearing a silver dress with heels and he will probably fall over because I am usually such a scruff bag!

Aww thats sounds gorgeous. You're dad will be proud 🥰. Hope you both have a lovely weekend together.

So lovely of you to say - thank you so much, what kindness. 😍

I appreciate it. Diolch o galon as we say in my parts! (I've not worn the dress yet as bought it in a FatFace sale in Glastonbury in August... testing it out at a Nick Helm show in Swansea on Thursday night... if it doesn't fit I can run to Haverfordwest TK Maxx to find an alternative on my way to him on Friday night!!)

Im sure whatever you wear will be lovely and your wee dad will be happy to see you. 80 is a good age to be celebrating and tou will make it a good one for him im sure. Ive still got a few years to go till my dad is 80, wonder what is can plan for that one as his birthday is Christmas day!! 🤣 poor dad not getting a day for his own.

We're really grateful as despite his latest ailment we had a scary time three years ago - but here he still is! Oh amazing that your dad's is on Christmas Day - oh happy birthday him! My Mam is on the 23rd believe it or not! 77 this year! She hates her birthday being so close to Christmas, really does, she we do little things on the day and then between Christmas and New Year make a fuss!

Totally poor Dad not getting a day of his own - I learned early on not to put birthday presents and Christmas ones in the same paper because my Mam hated it! This year I'm taking her to meet some alpacas - no wrapping required!

i have bought my 80 yr old relative a pack of 2 motion sensor plug in night lights. They are dual purpose as it splits apart and the bit not plugged in becomes a torch.
I think they will like them
as useful for in the hallway by the bathroom.

I’d say a heated blanket - old people are often cold (as am I so I dread to think what I’ll be like at 80 but I live my heated blanket at 43).

Awww thats amazing, I bet she will love that, its an interesting gift. We lost mum in 2018, 3rd of jan, 2 days before her 63rd birthday so its not a good time of year for us, my dad has pretty much written off new year since then which is strange with it being a big thing here in Scotland. The crap that life thows at us just shows us the value of our loved ones. ❤️

My 90 year old dad has a jam sandwich for lunch every day so last Christmas I got him six jams from various markets and he loved it!

You can adopt animals at Folly Farm, sounds like that's local to you if you're popping down to withybush retail park for a dress..😜

That's such a thoughtful idea and ironically they have them for the cats! Thank you for sharing though as I think his bedside touch lamp is a bit rubbish and want to get him a different one - thank you!💕

That is such a good call, because he has a big thing about the house being warm enough, I am dumb for not thinking of it! Thank you!!! Honestly, this is a brilliant idea. Diolch.

My dad is a little PITA in his old ago - sometimes he likes marmalade, sometimes he doesn't. He is a spread pain! If he was consistent then totally and thank you so much for the option. He is a day to day changer... rrrraarrgggh!

You can adopt both sloths and rhinos at Folly Farm and it's a great day out 🦏 🦥

What I did for my Mum on her 70th - they're in Roch! I'm in Swansea, I think your TK Maxx is better than ours - jealous! 😢