Advice on present for 70 year old dad

danlojo

Hello all

Not a money saving idea but advice required as I'm fast running out of ideas.

As seen in the title my pa is 70 in a few weeks.

He's still fit and mobile and gets about easily, spending my inheritance on holidays left, right and centre;) (he earned it he can spend the lot!)

He loves diy but has everything he needs so that's a no go-er.

Mum has suggested a Nintendo DSI XL with various crossword, brain train, sudoku etc type of games as he begrudges buying a newspaper abroad due to the price just to do the crossword.

Would this type of present appeal to some of you more experienced members:p?

Mum is the gardener so no gardening needs.

Any ideas most welcome!

devildog

How about giving him some of your time(not that I am saying you don't anyway) but just spending a day together doing something you would both enjoy. You can't buy time but I believe it is more precious than an actual wrapped gift. Just a thought

scotsbob

My children got me a voucher for the local Spearmint Rhino Gentlemens Club. I reckon 70 is not too old to enjoy it. If you do send him, don't forget to give him some extra spend money.

dzug1

At that age he is not going to want yet more THINGS - he probably has too many already.

So services, consumables, day out and the like.

monkeyspanner

How about an extravagance that he would not buy for himself? Would agree with dzug1 probably not a thing.

e.g.
Flying Lesson.
Days hire of a classic/modern sports car.
A trip to somewhere that is special to him or both of you.

Errata

dzug1 wrote: »

At that age he is not going to want yet more THINGS - he probably has too many already.

So services, consumables, day out and the like.

He may not need them, but that doesn't mean he won't want them

Has he got a savnav?
How about one of those crossword only gizmos;
an engraved tankard celebrating 70 not out;
new digi camera with all the latest bells and whistles - and a good printer?

beth58_2

Personally I think your mums idea of Nintendo is great.. but how bout a family meal, take your mum and dad out for a special meal for his birthday. Arrange with the restaurant for champers and birthday cake.

dzug1

Errata wrote: »

He may not need them, but that doesn't mean he won't want them

Has he got a savnav?
How about one of those crossword only gizmos;
an engraved tankard celebrating 70 not out;
new digi camera with all the latest bells and whistles - and a good printer?

Well maybe I'm reading my own preferences into the equation too much but (I'm still a bit short of his age BTW)

I don't want a satnav. I know where places are and when I don't I want to know before setting off
I don't want a gizmo
I certainly don't want a tankard
I don't want a digi camera with bells and whistles - I've got one and I never use any of them and I don't understand the manual. Give me back my late lamented simple SLR 35mm job any day

I could be tempted by a printer though......

I've got TOO MANY possessions, probably fewer than most people - and I don't use them. They clutter up the place and mrsdzug insists on cleaning them at frequent intervals, cursing and muttering the while.

Shouts of dinosaur stage left:D

danlojo

Thanks for the replies!

A surprise party in in the pipeline where many old mining friends and the like are coming. It's my sons 13th birthday that day too so it's going to be a big one!

I've looked into a short visit on the battlefield tours so that's an idea. We took him to Berlin 2 years ago and he loved it.

Still struggling though!

beth58_2

danlojo wrote: »

Thanks for the replies!

A surprise party in in the pipeline where many old mining friends and the like are coming. It's my sons 13th birthday that day too so it's going to be a big one!

I've looked into a short visit on the battlefield tours so that's an idea. We took him to Berlin 2 years ago and he loved it.

Still struggling though!

Whatever you decide hope your dad has a lovely birthday and realises the trouble you've went to for him.

Be_Happy

You say Dad is still fit and active, so how about a membership for somewhere.

OH had his 80th birthday recently and stepdaughter gave us a year's membership for local Zoo. At £30 a time to visit it was too expensive to go often, but now we can pop along any time. Membership also covers several zoos around Britain, so we can visit when away on holiday. We've had 2 visits so far and thoroughly enjoyed them.