Any ideas for very awkward dad?

[lollipoppet]

My dad is so hard to buy for, he is one of those who if he needs/wants something he will just go and get it for himself.

Doesn't really have any hobbies per say; he likes going to carboots, plays on pc computer game (although will get one game and just play it start to finish which takes ages so probably won't want a new game), he has recently got an ipad which is completely wasted on him so he should just give it to me as he only really uses it to play scrabble and watch films on holiday- they like to travel! ermm, oh also recently got into illegal downloading and thinks that is just amazing!

Any ideas of what I could get him for Christmas AND his birthday which is just after?

ah, is also totally devoted grandad and ADORES DD

i dont know but if you find out could you let me know please? i struggle with what to buy for my dad every year. i usually buy him whisky. he doesnt do christmas, doesnt like gifts, and is generally a miserable old sod (i do love him really he is just awkward)

cashmere socks went down quite well with my fil who feels the cold - one pair can be £30 so that's quite a big deal

goretex winter walking cap with earflaps - most outdoor shops will have them

thermos flask - you can never have too many IMO and many car boots v cold that early

picture of dd (you probably do this anyway)

calendar/mug with pix of grandchildren - mug is a lot cheaper (again you've probably done this)

whisky may seem like a dull present but it's not if you like whisky! Talisker is always my favourite

does he like fruit cake? make him a small Christmas cake, perhaps with a picture of dd on a sugar transfer or whatever they are called

sistema lunchboxes - brilliant for travelling

How old is he? maybe I can help, I sound similar

actually, why did I post all that? I don't give presents to adults any more! Worth considering?

well, my dad is nearly 60, he likes computers and whisky. i bought him whisky last year, monkey shoulder, which he liked. the best present i ever got him (his opinion) was 3 years ago when i bought him a posh cheeseboard and knives, and did him a cheese, port and crackers hamper. he doesnt eat chocolate, he is in fact quite a fussy eater. he doesnt like photo gifts as all the pics are the screensaver on his computer. oh, he also likes coffee. so far i have bought him a coffee mug that says i heart spreadsheets.

Thanks for the ideas, thermos is a good one. Already do photo calendars as pressie from dd...
He is Erm.....62 but a young sort I would say, they have a much better social life than me! He is very boring when it comes to food and drink- ham and chips and vodka and coke is all he survives on!
Don't want to not give anything (although I can see how that would be a good idea!) as he and my mum are so good to us and really help out with dd.
Am guessing I'll end up with a nice jumper or something but just wanted to see if anyone had any super different ideas...

Ooh thanks cherryrocket I'm going to be buying a Stilton and knife. I always buy whisky too as my dad insists his favourite presents are 'bottle shaped'.

Ok... So I have the same problem but I thought I'd give you some examples of what I've done in the past. By the way, my Dad's birthday is just before Xmas so I've got the same problem as you... My Dad will be 63.

So, every year I get him the Guinness Book of World Records. Also, on Play.com they do loads of mugs with funny captions on them and I will often get one of those.

Also, what about finding out where your nearest 'Paint Your Own' place is. We have one near here (and my friend works there so often we don't have to pay...) and I take DD (2 years old) in and we paint a plate for Grandad with her hand prints on it. Or a nice Xmas mug.

I also find out whether there are any Autobiographies coming out that he might like or albums. Plus chewy sweets (he loves them...).

My sister always buys him Port & Stilton because he loves it and last year one of my siblings got him a hamper of 'Marmite' goodies as he likes marmite. My problem is that there are 5 of us that buy him presents so it's making sure that we don't duplicate.

But definitely this year, a magazine subscription. Last year it was FHM (which he's now confessed is a bit young for him...) but this year it will be a Classic Car magazine subscription.

HTH

I am going to make my FIL and maybe even DH a mini hamper filled with retro sweets.

There are a few online sites but they seem quite pricey so I'm off to my local Quality Save/ Home Bargains to do it on the cheap!

I might bung in a few other things as well like a book or a bottle of alcohol!

Some good ideas there homemadecakes, thanks! I'm not sure if we'd manage if there were 5 of us. It's just me and my brother and we often club together for something as he's so blooming awkward!

My dad would not appreciate sweets inneed, but my dp definitely would!!

What about a voucher for an experience? Balloon flight/track day
Do they like to travel in the UK? What about a weekend/night away in a hotel somewhere he's never been
or flight vouchers eg EasyJet, you can get some bargains in their sale especially if you are not restricted on when to travel

Does he read a magazine ? You could get him a subscription to go on his ipad.

My awkward fil loves getting a magazine every month. My dad is impossible, but is very happy with a charitable gift

Hmmm, I will look into iPad subscription type things- that is v interesting, thanks cmot!

Unfortunately flights and hotels are a little out of my price range, good idea though, thanks oven.

£25 easy jet voucher could get him to Milan in march for example
My brother and I did this a few years ago for an aunt only £20 each but she put it towards a long weekend away in palma.