Ideas for churchy widower in his 80s please

[SilkStalkings]

Apart from more attention and company obviously (which is already on our list of things to do more of.)

Is he active? Does he live alone?

Some ideas, but they're not v original I'm afraid....

A basket of lovely things that he likes to eat and drink - not just a generic shortbread and jam basket but one where you have picked out his favourite things.

Some plants, maybe outside the window where he can see them.

A trip to a bookshop, where he can choose himself something, then lunch out?

Enough fruit cakes or apple pies (or whatever he likes and you're good at making) to see him through till the spring? I don't mean you present him with a dozen cakes, but that you promise him them in advance.

Oh dear, clutching at straws now!

Concert ticket?

If by churchy widower you mean someone who is good, clean living and doesn't smoke or drink , then you have my sympathy WRT to buying presents.

My dad (not a widower. still happily married) but he's 76 yo, doesn't smoke or drink and is diabetic so can't load him with chocolate.(And yes he goes to church every week, several times a week)

My dad is very outdoorsey. I'd buy him things he maybe wouldn't buy himself but would find useless and a bit luxurious.

Really good quality gloves, scarf.
My brother bought him a flipping brilliant outdoor 3-in-1 coat.
Maybe a brand new road atlas for the car (Yes dad that 2001 AA roadMap is maybe a bit out of date. Half those roads don't exsist now)

Good quality pen,ink pen , propelling pencil set.
Subscription to a magazine? Even TV Times ?

What's your relationship to this man? Friend, family?

useless ??

useful !

(Being useless id my job)

Thanks, Grandad-in-law, lost his wife last Christmas, church several times a week, not too fit, doesn't drive anymore.
I'm thinking you can't have enough of those window-fixed bird feeders if you're stuck indoors. Will also look into matinee concerts, not sure he'd have the stamina for an evening one.

What about those rotating mobiles for the garden (not wind chimes) but they have a series os circles or shapes and a spiral with a glass crystal ball.
They rotate with a slight breeze (or you can buy a motor thing) .
Good for indoors too. The Range have them.

Or solar lights (nice ones) to enhance the garden.

If you are getting bird feeders, what about a thermometer that goes on the window so you can tell at a glance what outdoors is like (Lakeland Limited)

Look on the Scotts of Stow website.

magazine subscription? DFIL is virtually housebound by choice, and we get him subscriptions - to food magazines and nat geographic so far.

What about this CD as part of it?

www.amazon.co.uk/A-Carol-Symphony-Victor-Hely-Hutchinson/dp/B00006RHPV/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347300013&sr=8-1

It's the music from 'The Box of Delights' and a lot of other carols re-worked - it's beautiful and very festive.

OP, I got to your 2nd post, and reaslised that I know the perfect thing.
But then 70 beat me to it (Grrr). The weather station thing that you can suction on to the window.Got one for my elderly, not very mobile dad - he loves it, and regales us with weather-related snippets constantly. you have been warned

Another thing he likes is some small gadget thing which helps him solve crossword clues.

A nice blanket for living room
Bulbs for windowsill (my great uncle loved watching these grow)
Pickles
Who buys his pants/socks?
Thermals?? Churches can be freezing
Smart shirt and tie for church
Marks voucher for posh ready meals/ maybe some tinned Marks stews/soups to have in.
Christmas Carol CD

cashmere, that is a lovely list!

A commonplace and memory book that you have started for him, in which he can write his memories, his favourite poems or sayings, stick photos. You could put a picture of his church, with family photos and he can go on with it.

Love cashmere's list.

Is it the sort of church that has either fair-trade or a charity? Getting something from them would be good.

Or some little things and a gift to good gifts in his name. They have ace charitable gifts... www.goodgifts.org

What about a bird box camera ? You'd need to set it up but not a big job from what I've heard.