Ideas for presents for elderly dad

[theDudesmummy]

My dad is 80, I have not seen him or my mum for four years and they are coming for Christmas! I am wracking my brains for Christmas presents for him.

We live in the west of Ireland and he and my mum will be getting Aran jumpers as their main present (it's what I buy for everyone who comes here for the first time!). But I have other bits and pieces for my mum too, and cannot think of anything at all for dad. He doesn't smoke, barely drinks, so no lighters, bottles of whisky etc (which I might have bought him in years gone by). He is dyslexic so doesn't read books. My brother is getting him a new tablet, so that's the tech covered. Any ideas?

A nice cover for his new tablet?

or a pencil to go with the tablet? Whatever it is it needs to be small if they need to carry back home with them..

I'm sure they will be made up just to see you! Hope you have a lovely Christmas with your parents after so long apart!

Slippers and dressing gown?

New wallet, scarf and gloves set, electric hot water bottle or heated jacket, physio roller ball for tight muscles- I use mine ALL the time.
Cheese board and crackers or alcohol free mulled wine/ ginger wine ( Rochester ginger is amazing)

A warm throw for chilly evenings to put round his legs.

Audio books ? Subscription ?

I've got my dad a Christmas tree ornament, chocolate and aftershave.

Put together a selection of local products he might enjoy. Biscuits, sweets, crackers, cheeses etc

Irish Whiskey

Ooops sorry misread your OP no alcohol

Yes this

He can just download BorrowBox app and put in his library card details and get free audio books on his new iPad

I've been debating an Alexa type thing for my dad as he often moves the radio from the kitchen into other rooms but i wonder if the technology might be beyond him!

Does he use skincare products at all? I got my Dad now aged 76 reluctantly into using body lotion and even face cream as he had dry & sensitive skin.
Now I buy these products as presents & he appreciates it now he realises what huge difference they can make to skin that was dry & red.
But then I'm close enough to my Dad to suggest these things, not sure if you are OP?

Apart from this I often buy new or vintage books based around his favourite subjects (he won't buy books for himself).

Also he likes M&S so I get him a voucher or even some clothes.

A few years back I got my df a subscription to a night sky app (I can’t remember which one and there are lots of great ones now) so he could hold his phone up and it would tell him what stars he was looking at. Not very wrappable but so nice if you’ve good nighttime visibility.

Thanks for all the suggestions! It can't be something big as he has to take it back on two flights. He does love chocolate and there is some very nice local chocolate here. If I buy him any foodstuff I will have to stop him sharing it around though! (and for any fresh stuff he would have to finish it off here because he won't be allowed to take it home). I'm not sure if he would be interested in stars, or audiobooks, but I will ask my mum when they get here! (They will be here a few days before Christmas). I think they may already have an Alexa but if not then definitely will think of that!

I got my Dad a set of two pens engraved with his name. Came in a nice box. I think he’ll be pleased as he’s always complaining about folk nicking his pens 😆