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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Need help with Dads advent calendar

35 replies

WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 10:26

I know it seems silly! However since my mum passed 4 years ago I've done my best to keep her traditions and add a little something of my own.

Mum made Christmas absolutely magical even my usually grumpy dad got excited.

So this year I would like to make him his own advent, I was thinking of wrapping each one and instead of specific presents for each day he could choose his own out of a box bit like a er there's a word I can't of it! But you get the idea.

Here's my problem, dad is pretty grumpy no real interests other than being Eeyore or Victor Meldrew. (Yes he's exhausting) he's brilliant at making things, he loves a bit of chocolate, and gadgets.

I could of course just get him a bloody Lindt calendar but where's the fun in that! Please can anyone suggest small things I could get?

Thank you

OP posts:
WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 10:27

Should add he's mid 70's and he also enjoys walking.

OP posts:
Chimchar · 01/10/2021 10:32

What a Lovely idea!

Some miniature bottles of alcohol?
Walking socks
Back pack cover for walking
Coffee shop voucher?
Posh coffee/coffee bags?
Skin care or hand cream?
Seeds for the garden?
Little penknife
Small compass for walks

Ricekrispie22 · 01/10/2021 16:29

Cadbury pud
Car air freshener
Puzzle book/quiz book
Bath soak
Mug
Novelty pen
Christmas pudding digestives
Pork scratchings
Joke book
Nanoblocks

AdaColeman · 01/10/2021 16:43

Key ring
Torch
Small jar marmalade/jam
Lindt chocolate star or Father Christmas
Fancy popcorn
Jar of Gentleman’s Relish
Tube of wasabi paste
Packet of spices to mull wine

Ariela · 01/10/2021 16:46

In our house we'd have liked:
tape measure - miniature keyring type, try Screwfix
Infuriating puzzle - try online, one of those roll the ballbearing 3D sort

merryhouse · 01/10/2021 17:29

Don't fill it up with irritating cracker-type gifts which sit around for a month till someone takes on the guilt of throwing them in the bin.

How about some origami? You can buy little kits

www.happypuzzle.co.uk/family-puzzles-and-games/creative-arts-and-crafts/3-minute-origami

www.rexlondon.com/origami-animals-kit

WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 19:32

Thank you all so much! Brilliant ideas.

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WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 19:33

[quote merryhouse]Don't fill it up with irritating cracker-type gifts which sit around for a month till someone takes on the guilt of throwing them in the bin.

How about some origami? You can buy little kits

www.happypuzzle.co.uk/family-puzzles-and-games/creative-arts-and-crafts/3-minute-origami

www.rexlondon.com/origami-animals-kit[/quote]

This is such a great idea he'll enjoy this, thank you!

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WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 19:34

@Ricekrispie22

Cadbury pud Car air freshener Puzzle book/quiz book Bath soak Mug Novelty pen Christmas pudding digestives Pork scratchings Joke book Nanoblocks

I've got the Cadburys pud those digestives look good I think he'd enjoy those. Thank you!

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WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 19:35

@Chimchar

What a Lovely idea!

Some miniature bottles of alcohol?
Walking socks
Back pack cover for walking
Coffee shop voucher?
Posh coffee/coffee bags?
Skin care or hand cream?
Seeds for the garden?
Little penknife
Small compass for walks

Seeds yes, I'll get him a bee bomb. Thank you

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NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 01/10/2021 19:51

Wallet ninja
Unusual nuts
Has he got a pet? - something funny for pet
Pack cards
Mag that he might read
Fancy beer

Gemma2019 · 01/10/2021 20:08

Christmas lottery scratch cards
Christmas flavour jam
Shower gel
Book of local walks
Pedometer

TinselTime21 · 01/10/2021 21:57

And the word is Lucky Dip.. Got my brain working.

user1466167893 · 01/10/2021 22:06

I had been thinking of doing a stocking for my mum and dad, but maybe I'll just do this idea! Some lovely ideas on here. Maybe mix a lot of consumables with some hobby related ideas?

WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 22:08

@TinselTime21 thank you! Grin

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WildFlowerBees · 01/10/2021 22:10

@user1466167893

I had been thinking of doing a stocking for my mum and dad, but maybe I'll just do this idea! Some lovely ideas on here. Maybe mix a lot of consumables with some hobby related ideas?

I know dad will enjoy it, he moans about Christmas but as soon as I turn up and put presents under the tree he gets a bit giddy so I think he'll enjoy choosing a present each day. I'll fill the box with loads of annoying shredded paper or something.

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NigelSlatersXmasTaters · 01/10/2021 22:50

shop.rnli.org/collections/rnli-branded-products

Nice ideas here and a fantastic cause. I like the little cash stash tin

BeaLola · 01/10/2021 22:58

Lovely ideas mentioned already

How about handkerchiefs
Bird feeder thing for garden
Christmas themed socks
Chocolate licquers
Mini aftershaves
Those tins of travel sweets
Christmas T-shirt /jumper - Primark usually have cheaply
Pocket comb
Sudoku book
Opies Pickled Walnuts - my Dad loves these

AdaColeman · 02/10/2021 00:57

He likes walking……
bar of Kendal mint cake!
One of the little gizmos to remove ticks safely
Extra battery booster pack for his phone
Folding collapsible beaker

HungryHippo11 · 02/10/2021 08:14

24 gifts is quite a lot and might wear a bit thin, or you will be scraping the barrel of things to buy him. It will also cost you a fortune.
How about go for 12 or 7 gifts instead an make them decent ones.

Sherrystrull · 02/10/2021 08:36

Bar of favourite chocolate
Favourite tea bags
Key ring
Car air freshener
Water bottle
Socks
Magazine
Puzzle book

Go to Tiger or the pound shop and look for inspiration!

talkalarm · 02/10/2021 08:42

Well I don't know but I do you know that you and your mum sound amazing Thanks

WildFlowerBees · 02/10/2021 10:01

Thanks to all you lovely lot I've pretty much completed my list and I think he'll enjoy them all.

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WildFlowerBees · 02/10/2021 10:02

@talkalarm that's very lovely, thank you 😊

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BikeRunSki · 02/10/2021 10:10

You’re thinking of a bran tub or lucky dip @WildFlowerBees

Is there a cafe he likes to go after walking? Voucher for there.
Spare bootlaces.
Posh flapjacks (cellophane wrapped)
Flask/chilly bottle, but not if he already has one
Walking socks
Buff
Gloves
Whiskey miniature
Small wine bottles
Chocolate bars

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