Presents for your Dad

[Chewbecca]

Any ideas welcomed please!

He doesn't like to receive gifts at all really so sometimes gets a bar of chocolate! He really dislikes clothes sothat's a compete no go area.
He reads but prefers to get books from the library.
He does play golf and sometimes golfing accessories go down ok.

[gingemum]

What about one of these to read with grandchild? My grandad...

[Hobbitation]

DH gets FIL presents and usually MIL too - though this year I saw something nice for MIL ages ago and got it myself. My dad does like clothes (within quite a few colour and style restrictions) so I've got him a machine washable lambswool jumper and a box of Belgian chocs. Does he drink? How about a nice bottle of Highland Park malt whisky? A flask to put it in for the golf course?

My mum was admiring my onesie so I have got her a Tatty Teddy one from M&S. Also I have a framed school photo of DDs for her.

[reastie]

I know it's too late for OP, but someone might find this useful. I recently found out about the Historic Houses Association - you can buy membership for a year for a bit less than NT membership and it gives free access to many privately owned gardens/houses across the country. It's like NT but for non NT/EH properties IYKWIM. DH and I are doing this this year for each other.

[Chewbecca]

Well I have made a teensy bit of progress and ordered a Tom Watson (who?!) golf book thanks to happiestinwellybobs. And threw a golf glove in whilst I was there.
He does already have National Trust membership actually, him and DM take DS to their properties too sometimes, it seems to have been a good buy so whilst I can't get this, I would recommend to others with the same dilemma.
Films are also a no no, as are DvD box sets, they don't own a DVD player or go to the cinema (through choice I might add!). Kindle been suggested and (politely) declined!
It is hard!
Still, made a start now, still thinking of adding the old chocolate bar and scratch cards, that might have to do!
Very interesting to hear all your gifts.

[CelticPromise]

Does he garden? Mine is getting a lemon tree this year.

[reastie]

Oh, just remembered. My Dad got an Alfred Hitchcock DVD box set a few years ago which he really enjoyed. Also, I've got him love film voucher/membership in the past which also went down really well. If you have a cineworld near you they have this voucher which would be a good gift.

[Happiestinwellybobs]

Nationl Trust membership & golfing book (Tom Watson) for my dad who sounds similar to yours !

[Leafmould]

A brew your own beer kit.

[waitingtobeamummy]

We've bought my dad this thing that you play your records on through a usb so you can save them onto your computer, a massive plant pot (he's desperately wanted one!) And some nice thick socks.

[Spookey80]

Bump- I don't know either! My dad is the same!

[meso]

You mention that he is a great Dad/Grandad - could you get him a nice framed picture of his grandkids? I am using the 'venture' style ones that we had done via nursery. Thats what my PITA inlaws are getting this year as they are pretty impossible to buy for!

[Arithmeticulous]

A book about making things from pallets.

[Arithmeticulous]

Golf umbrella holder for golf buggy
Golf balls with his face on
Telescopic golf ball retriever
Hats. Winter and summer.
DVD boxset - Homeland, Frasier, West Wing
National trust membership

[Mollydoggerson]

Overnight bag
Toiletry bag
Slippers
PJ's

[Mollydoggerson]

Bird stand
Warm gloves (woodies)
Garden shears
Socks
Alcohol
Mugs
A tray with legs
Egg cups/Egg timer/household stuff.
Electric blanket
Hot water bottle and warmer/cover.
Tools/football stuff.
Tie
Cufflinks.
Tea towels/towels
snowglobe.

[OhTheConfusion]

James Bond dvd box set (all films excluding skyfall as not our on dvd yet!), popcorn, sweets and six glass bottles of coke.

[whateveritakes]

I got mine membership to his interest but in America. He gets a magazine and a free gift but he loves the way it's similar but different over there.
He also got a retro tin plate poster to put in his shed/garage. From here.

[Spons]

Bruce springsteen tickets! He also got the same last year, Bruce is helping me out at the mo!

[pugsandseals]

Does he like old planes at all? Vulcan to the Sky are selling all sorts of goodies to raise money for their winter service!

[cakeandcustard]

I got him a USB stick in the shape of a car ... grasping at straws really!

[reastie]

Chew I bought him 4 - one a week for a month. My Dad loves nuts and snacks like that and he's been genuinely excited to see what's in his box every week and try the different things they have (got it for his bday last month)

[Guitargirl]

I bought this for my dad as a father's day present this year, you can add the things that mean the most to him/your family.

[Chewbecca]

Thanks for all the suggestions but nothing is grabbing me at all at the moment, I know he would dislike all of them!
He doesn't like wasting money you see so something like an afternoon tea would be considered frivolous and wasteful I think.
Can't quite believe you've bought someone a graze box - won't they find they a bit hmmmm?!
No cooking or food items work.
Halfords voucher is the closest to a possibility so I will tuck that away in my back pocket for a last resort- thanks.
Finally the scratch card would at least provide a little frisson of excitement!
(I often buy scratch cards anyway and pop them into the ends of our crackers)
Thanks again, don't want to sound so negative, it is him who is negative IRL, not me! (though he is a top Dad/Grandad it's only gifting that's difficult about him!)

[reastie]

Yes I have this problem too! For FIL this year we bought him and MIL as a surprise afternoon tea for them both at the hotel where they went on holiday last week as an early present (it went down really well - you could do this for a local hotel?) and for DF I've bought him 'graze' boxes for a month here