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Dad’s 70th gift ideas

8 replies

lauribec · 27/12/2025 22:35

My Dad’s 70th birthday is coming up in the middle of January and I need some gift ideas please!

He lives a very simple life, spends as little money as possible on absolutely everything (including himself!) he owns a large house but sadly it isn’t the best taken care of so something for the house might not be the best idea.

He’s always worked physical jobs and will wear things until there really is no life left in them, holes in socks/boots, baler twine for a belt, bread bags in boots during winter. Incredibly careful with money! Due to this it means he’s often gifted new clothing that he simply doesn’t ever wear! He just keeps using the old stuff. Same goes for nice clothing, his wardrobe is overflowing but rarely worn.

I want to make a bit of a fuss for his birthday, thinking we’ll have him over for a meal/drinks or a small party. But also would like to get him some gifts.

He very rarely buys himself any sweet treats but he does enjoy them (always asking if I’ve got any biscuits haha) but again this is often something people will gift him - his sisters made him a treat hamper for Christmas and I think he finds it a bit much as he’s not used to eating a load of junk food.

Thinking of getting some nice coffee and some coffee mate for him as he enjoys a hot drink but refuses to ever buy himself milk.
Even makes his porridge with water!

Sorry for the waffling! Any ideas for some nice/practical gifts would be most welcome :)

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 27/12/2025 22:38

We gave my dad a digital photo frame - each of us can send photos to it using apps on our phones & he often comments on what it’s showing when we phone him.

StrikeForever · 27/12/2025 22:40

Is he interested in tech? My husband is 72. Fairly recent presents for him include an iPhone a drone, and a telescope.

lauribec · 28/12/2025 07:46

EmpressaurusKitty · 27/12/2025 22:38

We gave my dad a digital photo frame - each of us can send photos to it using apps on our phones & he often comments on what it’s showing when we phone him.

Oh this is such a great idea! I bet your dad loves it 😊 my dad loves to get photos of the kids but doesn’t have internet so assuming I wouldn’t be able to send any photos to it?

OP posts:
lauribec · 28/12/2025 07:49

StrikeForever · 27/12/2025 22:40

Is he interested in tech? My husband is 72. Fairly recent presents for him include an iPhone a drone, and a telescope.

Unfortunately not :( he has a basic mobile and that’s it, only really uses it to call and text. Does take the odd photo too. I love the idea of a telescope! That might actually be something he would use 😊 I love standing outside on a clear night looking at the stars, I could imagine him giving it a go!

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 28/12/2025 08:58

lauribec · 28/12/2025 07:46

Oh this is such a great idea! I bet your dad loves it 😊 my dad loves to get photos of the kids but doesn’t have internet so assuming I wouldn’t be able to send any photos to it?

No, sadly it wouldn’t work for him - but that does remind me of something I did for my gran, who wasn’t online either.

With permission, I downloaded photos from all the family Facebook accounts & also asked everyone to email me their favourite photos, then printed them all & put them in an album for her. She was thrilled.

There were spare pages at the back so the family were able to keep adding to it.

RudolphTheReindeer · 28/12/2025 09:03

A magazine or beer subscription ?

Sharpzebra · 29/12/2025 12:53

If he likes hot drinks coffee but doesn't buy milk for himself how about making a drinks hamper like go to Amazon and buy a load of them uht pots think you can get them in packs of like 30 or more and not to expensive then add some nice hot drinks treats in it or the coffee mate nothing to over whelming just a few little luxury's failing that if he reads newspapers why not get a subscription? A day out with him?

lauribec · 04/01/2026 23:31

Sharpzebra · 29/12/2025 12:53

If he likes hot drinks coffee but doesn't buy milk for himself how about making a drinks hamper like go to Amazon and buy a load of them uht pots think you can get them in packs of like 30 or more and not to expensive then add some nice hot drinks treats in it or the coffee mate nothing to over whelming just a few little luxury's failing that if he reads newspapers why not get a subscription? A day out with him?

Thank you! I’ve gone with the coffee hamper idea! And looking to order the little uht milk pots. Got him a set of new mugs, will get nice coffee and milk to go with it. His favourite chocolate, a hot water bottle, “Grandads garden” plaque. And thinking of a few other bits! 😊

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