Present ideas for my Dad, 60 next month

[Eddas]

Hi, I really really need some inspiration for my dad's upcoming 60th birthday. He's got enough money to buy himself whatever he wants(within reason!) and I am fairly lacking in funds. I will probably suggest my brother and sister combine with me and we buy something bigger between us.

But, beside not being able to spend too much, I have no idea what to get him.

He is active(still works full time) but doesn't have any hobbies. Doesn't collect anything. I had thought maybe a digital photo frame with pictures of my children and family but tbh step mother/dad don't have any photos of my dc up in their house(or any of my dad's children) so they'd probably scrap the photos we give them in favour of some of step mothers 2 children, and that's not what I want.so will scrap that idea

Had thought of a weekend away idea but (and this sounds bad) I don't want step mother having half the gift. Does that make sense I just want to buy my dad something and not her

I really have no ideas so please, if you can help I would be most grateful

I got my dad a flight in a tiger moth for his birthday - think it was about £180. Which is a lot, but maybe if you can combine with other siblings it might be ok. Think you can get other planes which are cheaper as well.

My parents like theatre vouchers - although I see you don't have much to spend, so don't know if that's an option. If not, what about something personal, like nice photo of grandchildren or something?

For his 65th my daughters and I got my husband a flight (in a seaplane from Vancouver out over the islands). He got to be co-pilot, i.e. sit up front and absolutely adored it. He has the photos as proof and has shown them to everyone. We now know what to get for his next big birthday, which will be a flight from Glasgow out over the Western Isles. Vancouver flight was only £65 and we were in Canada on a retirement trip anyway. It is around £120 for the Scottish one but think it will give more than £120s worth of pleasure/memories.

Other than that idea what about a digital camera for him which might spark an interest in taking his own photos?

thanks for the suggestions.

Not sure about the flight thing, dad's never shown much interest doing anything like that.

foofi, in my op I said i'd thought of photos but as they'd be relegated to the toilet(or the study) i'm loathed to bother really. I know that sounds harsh but when dad & step mother have a huge 5 bed house and not one picture up of either of their 2 grandchildren(both on my dad's side) there seems little point. Maybe i'm just bitter

granny22 he's got a very expensive flashy camera already, otherwise a great suggestion

Thing is dad is quite well off so really not sure what i could get that he hasn't got. He's just bought an ipod, has a digital radio. You name it he's got it.

Maybe I could just get dd to make him a card

We got a BuildaBear for Nanny's big birthday, with the children's recorded message inside, and they chose an outfit (slippers and a dressing gown..) was a big hit on the day, and played down the phone to various rellies.

morethanmum, what a cute idea brilliant idea for mil's bday in may. Not really the kind of thing for my dad though. Oo my nan would love it too and she's 80 in October so may well give one to her aswell as mil Mind you ds is only 11 months, not sure you'd get a great message from him Maybe just one from dd this year

Things we have bought my dad for his 60th/65th and upcoming 70th include
A really nice wallet
A decent watch engraved on the back with the date and all of our names
Leather tobacco pouch as he smokes a pipe

All of which sound really boring

Something for the garden - sundial, nice seat or bench, or one of those weather stations for inside and out?

Decent bottle of wine or port?
Something for cooking if he is interested in that?

Failing that, take him out for a lovely meal somewhere - though that means that the step mother would benefit as well

thanks onlyaphase, i feel like i'm saying no to everything but the man has everything already They have just paid an enormous amount of money having their garden landscaped and i'm sure anything bought for it would not be 'up to standard'

Meal may be an idea not sure

Whiskey? People keep it for ages, and can be as pricey or as cheap as you want

Oooh, I've just remembered a fab thing I saw - fingerprint jewellery. could you get cufflinks with the grandchildren's fingerprints on it? Artful hen or something.

It can be so difficult sometimes to get presents for men. Especially when they might be rejected as not up to standard! Best get something you don't mind having yourself then!

How about something more personal - get a CD burnt of his favourite tracks, get some old photos printed out or cinefilm converted to DVD? Difficult as he has a new wife now though.....

Tickets for something lovely in the summer? A local proms in the park thing? a play at a local castle? Lots of London hotels (where are you?) do jazz brunches on a Sunday or the Waldorf does tea dances with professional dancers a la Strictly come dancing sometimes - June is the next one?

keep em coming please ladies

the man is impossible to buy for

Not much of a drinker. He did used to drink beer, before step mother. I think they now drink white wine and that may well be what he gets maybe with some lovely glasses?

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH

You can see why I need help now can't you

Oh and we're in Kent

ooooooooo maybe we could get tickets for something to take him to where it's just him and us dc. Now there's a thought. After mum died i'm sure we'd planned on going to see the queen musical Now that would be a good plan. What excuse could we give about leaving step mother out though Maybe we could say we wanted it to be just us fairly sure that wouldn't go down too well

From what you've said...an appointment with a divorce solicitor?

I could pre-warn her though and say we're thinking of getting dad x and thought it'd be nice for us to all go together as we don't see each other much.

Sorry just throwing all my thoughts onto mn

Eddas, just realised you were giving me advice about my widowed mum. Thanks, but seeing waht you've written here, maybe should be glad she's not found anyone else lol

queenofthedumbquestion, in my dreams dad and her are happy but she's not keen on bothering with her step children which suits us well tbh. As long as dad is happy that's all I care about. I don't hate her but not really keen on buying her things IYSWIM.

bonusprint.com do great photo albums where you can put your own photos and captions in - cost about 20 quid - i think they are nicer than the digi frames (better for environment too) - you could put family photos in of you all - him when younger - or do a 'this is your life' kind of thing

cook him a cake
bottle of good champagne

homemade cards

or take him to a show yourself? or tickets for him and stepmother - (that would be a lovely gift especially if he knows you dont like her much..!)

wine tasting evening somewhere? vinopolis do them in london

queenofthedumbquestion, well I did say on the other thread that i'm glad he found someone just wish it wsn't her ANd yes if I were you i'd be glad your mum is on her own rather than with someone you don't like but dad is happy so that's good[smie] she's not that bad, just not my sort of person.

good ideas, thanks newgirl as with everything there's a stumbling block on the this is you life thing, had thought of it already. There's no photos that I know of, of him as a child. Certainly none when we were growing up. Although I may ask his brother as he might've taken them when they cleared out their parents house. Actually, I will ring him in the next few days and ask as that'd be really nice thanks!

how about him at 60 then - so pics of everyone as they are now - kids. grandkids, partner etc - probably easier

What about annual membership to Groombridge Place or Leeds Castle or whatever's near you?