What are you getting your 70yo Dads?

[MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel]

My Dad is the hardest person to buy for, because frankly he is a boring old man.

Doesn't drink
Not interested in food
Doesn't really have a sense of humour
Lives alone with his dog

Likes motorbikes (but can't ride anymore) and I have previously bought him books about his favourite bikes.

Likes cars, jaguar specifically and I have previously bought him books on this.

His life revolves around smoking, whinging about his council house, whinging some more. He does read but he buys himself books by the bucket load and I want something he can unwrap so was trying to avoid the amazon voucher.

I just want a couple of bits, I'm getting him a book on the Tower of London but that's all I have so far..

Following as I have the same conundrum. Same age, also likes motorbikes, football , 70s comedy and metal from the same era.

Something for the dog? Or with the dog's face on it?

Something to wear?

Something to eat?

I presume you don't want to give him anything smoking related :)

He can't be that boring if he reads.

Magazine subscription?

Yep, dog things. Eg hi vis waterproof dog coat, some treats, new toy. Windproof gloves for him for dog walking.

Practical house gadget things - window vacuum, electric scrubber, etc. Something WiFi ish:- light bulb, radiator thing.

Does he actually drive? Driving experience in a Jaguar?

Ereader (not kindle) and show him how to borrow ebooks from the library. Save a fortune and he can afford more fans!

He might not be interested in food as such but presumably he does eat. Non fancy treats - twiglets, wine gums, mini Christmas pudding.

A jigsaw with a suitable old grumpy man theme ?
the dvd of Grumpy Old Men ?

I’ve bought mine a Ninja Airfryer with a few functions and some PJs so far. Probably going to get him a key ring sized Swiss Army knife/multi tool.

One year I bought him personalised car mats and a fancy car seat cover…don’t know if that would fit with your Dad’s car interest. If he has a car, that is.

Other well received gifts; Kindle Fire, tickets to concerts, tickets to the fancy cinema (Everyman type) and afternoon tea/meal afterwards, Skechers, leather wash bag, fleece dressing gown, Sherpa Heated Throw, Thermal Hat/Scarf/Gloves and socks for going to the Football in winter, sheepskin lined slippers.

Ancestry kit
Something practical - new jumper or trainers, calendar, diary, food hamper, voucher for coffee shop

Sense of humour? One of the most successful presents was a framed poster of all the places in the UK with rude names (Twatt, Shitterton etc)

marvellousmaps.com/place-names

Digital photo frame? You could preload some photos of the dog/ him on his past motorbike/ family holidays if there were any etc

Crocs

Happy socks!

My dad's hard to buy for because he has everything. I normally just get him chocolates

A funky ashtray.

Heated gilet - useful for dog walking in the cold?
Hand warmers - for same reason.
Have seen a company advertising on Facebook - Super Socks, they are advertising putting a photo of cat / dog / anything on socks. Look to be about £16.

85 year old FIL is getting books (reads loads), a gin tasting session at a local place (to go along with DH), a 500ml sized bottle of whisky from his favourite whisky shop in Edinburgh (purchased on recent work trip). Also some chocs / sweets and nice nibbles he may not get for himself. Like the fennel savoury bites from Tesco, the green and blacks mini bars in the box (that he'll prob share with MIL).

Are you anywhere near London? I've bought my Dad tickets to the Formula One exhibition

f1exhibition.com/london/

Excited about this as I normally really struggle. In the past I've bought him books, gardening gloves, a jumper, etc

This year my dad along with his partner (nearly 80) are getting nice coffee mugs (because it was mentioned) and some biscuits/tea/coffee along with the usual plum bread and cheese.

They don't like 'stuff', so it has to be consumable. So in general, they get either bath shit or a food hamper. Last year they got a tin from Betty's tea room which they raved about (the tin - I assume they liked the contents, but that didn't actually rate a mention lol).

Do you have children? A photo frame with pictures of the grandchildren in is always good. Otherwise I think it is food( hamper) or drink.

New towels/bedding ( old men don't see they need new ones)
An amaryllis ( fast growing bulb usually from m&s)
Chocs

Sounds awful but he doesn't really " walk" his dog. He has a green out the front of his house and just sends the dog out on an extendable lead. It's only a small dog so happy in the garden.

I did a magazine subscription last year and when I visited him a couple of weeks ago they were in a pile still in their packaging so clearly hadn't bothered reading them.

He would never go to an experience or concert/event. I got him a Silverstone experience one year and he never did it so was a waste of money.

He drinks coffee, but doesn't like "fancy" coffee, he just drinks nescafe instant. A snack box might be good. But I'm not sure what snacks he likes 😆

He is a massively emotionally suppressed man. If he likes something he will grunt, never actually says thanks or that he loves something. If he hates it he just stays silent. This is why he's so tough as he wouldn't like "soppy" gifts, he doesn't put up family pictures or memory stuff. No ornaments or trinkets. He used to be a great mechanic but he can't use his hands as well these days. Cooking wise, he just eats beige food.

His idea of a sense of humour is moaning about the "foreigners" which I'm constantly having to bring him to task about. In case it isn't obvious, we're not that close, but he's coming to mine on Xmas so need to get him something.

May just have to go down the consumables and a nice jumper.

Oh, he loves football. Chelsea specifically, maybe I can find something for that?

Gah, I know I sound negative but every xmas and birthday I stress about this.

You are looking for a gift that will make him happy. It is not going to happen. Just give yourself a break from it and buy biscuits that you like from when you visit.

You are looking for a gift that will make him happy. It is not going to happen.

Yep, keep it simple & practical. He doesnt want 'stuff' or fun. Jumper, dog toy, pork scratching snacks. Or replacement for something in the house that's a bit knackered - bedlinen, towels.

There are some great Lego sets of cars and bikes aimed at adults. That’s something to do and linked to stuff he likes. But it depends how bad his hands are.

Trying to think of recent successes for the over 70s -

• My dad was pleased by a waist-height planter for the garden so he could grow (dwarf) peas and beans again without having to hurt his joints bending down.
• FIL enjoyed a snack subscription; it was something weird like pork scratchings, I think, that DH bought him. A previous year it was craft beers, 4 a month.
• Murdle puzzle book went over well
• replacing stuff he has with nicer versions - warm sheepskin slippers, jumper in washable cashmere, those nice Scandinavian socks, an insulated cafetière so his coffee stayed warm longer, that sort of thing.
• streaming subscription to a sports channels so he could watch his team’s games now he can’t get to them.

My dad is getting a puzzle with a car on it and some chocolate. Not fancy ones, maybe maltesers or something.

He would probably prefer beer but he already drinks more than he probably should so I'm not encouraging that.

If he doesn't already have a kindle that might be worth getting. My also grumpy retired mechanic dad likes his.

Absolutely loads of ideas on the Chelsea website, from keys rings mugs to personalised shirts. How about a hamper based around a Chelsea mug and a jar of Nescafé. Add in a Christmas cake, some dog treats and some nuts and your done.