Gift ideas for 70 year old

[georgina]

Another old person here who doesn't want gifts. I don't need things. Time together, dinner, a movie, concert, or other experience like that is good.

 

[TinkAgainU]

A low stress lunch or dinner to celebrate as a group - but for a "gift" a dinner coupon from a fun restaurant (or to a sports event, or concert, museum) - one different from each of his kids so he can spend quality time with each separately.

 

[Nora03]

I second restaurant gift cards, or consumables. But does he have interests or hobbies? My DH is 77 and he’s building Lego. So far he has the space shuttle, the lunar Lander and the Mars Rover. He has had fun building them and they take considerable amount of time.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

 

[cedricandsophie]

My husband is 78. He loves all things Disney. I’ve gotten him books on Walt, on the building of DW, etc.

He grew up reading Chip Hilton so a few years ago I found a complete set of Chip Hilton books at a used book store He loved it.

I found an actual record player online and bought some vinyl to go with all the old stuff we already had.

 

[Miffy]

A meal out sounds perfect.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

A meal out sounds perfect.

We've booked a table at his favourite Italian restaurant, Tosca, overlooking the river. He had been hoping to host a party there for New Year's but came down with Covid, as did we all. So he's kinda pining for the lost evening!

 

[goofyernmost]

I am 77 years old. The best gift my children and grandchildren can give me is their time. Sometimes we cook burgers, then play Shanghai Rummy. We laugh until it hurts and it's wonderful. So my suggestion is that you make your dad's favorite meal and do something together after dinner.

Now that I have reached the less than golden age of 75 I will share with you that, at least in the event of living alone, your time is the best gift you can give. When you get old and have the misfortune of being alone one has way to much free time on their hands. They have time to be aware and evaluate every pain, contemplate death more and long for the days went life was harder but socially things were alive and vibrant and we were alive and vibrant. Years fly by, but days drag on and on. Weird isn't it?

Some small token of love or appreciation would be cherished. Promise to check up on them often, because we also have a fear of dying and it not being noticed by people that are supposed to love them. Many times you see the phrase "Many people were never lucky enough to make it to old age", true I guess, but there are many days when we question that.

We know that the rest of our family is busy living their lives, but please take a few minutes out of your hectic life to make someone feel that you are important to them.. A gift card is nice and many times needed, but letting someone know that you care is far more lifting and comforting.

 

[tcufrog]

A friend of mine’s father loves to read but he has trouble reading small print now. Her dad was dubious when she got him a Kindle but he now loves it because he can increase the font size and change the font to one that’s easier to read. My husband got me a digital frame from Aura and I love it because it’s really easy to add photos from my phone and the image is really nice. When my dad was alive I always made him a photo wall calendar and added everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries. He looked forward to getting it every year. For Christmas I got my mom an antifatigue mat for her kitchen.

 

[Sweettears]

Not 70 yet but getting close. I’m on the time together bandwagon. An annual gift from my son is an Illini basketball game. We stay overnight and go out to dinner as well. My daughter got me tickets for the Disney memorabilia display and dinner out with them and the grandkids. Can’t beat time together with any material possession

 

[LynnTH]

My Dad is 86, My mom passed away 12 years ago. So, he lives on his own. Still in great shape and has never spent a night in a hospital. These are some things we have gotten him in the past few years that he enjoyed.

1. Kindle Paperwhite.
2. Subscription to Kindle Unlimited (He reads a lot)
3. Sirius XM Subscription for his car - He likes the 50's station
4. Amazon Alexa - He uses this a lot
5. Premade Meals from an Italian Place that he can take out of his freezer (Pizza, Lasagna, Soups etc.)
6. Casino Chips (I bring him the casino every month or two - he enjoys that)
7. Plane Tickets/Hotel to Vegas - The entire family went. All kids and grandkids - mine was the youngest and turned 21 on the trip. (17 of us) My mom was the traveler, but nice to get him out places too.
8. Amazon Gift Cards (He uses for books not on Kindle Unlimited)

 

[sheilafri]

Time is the most precious gift you can give. A meal out, museum visit, etc.

I had an older friend who said if I can’t use it up or eat it up I don’t want it. Wise woman.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Eek. Been talking to my dad about what he wants to do for his birthday and he's bluntly said, "No. Please don't spend anything - I really mean that.". We WERE going to take him out to dinner, but he's flatly dismissed it. The only present we can think of that would be more a token thing are some books he's missing. It doesn't feel right, not properly celebrating his 70th. At least his entire family will be with him!

 

[SharonZ]

Gift certificate for a house cleaning service.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Eek. Been talking to my dad about what he wants to do for his birthday and he's bluntly said, "No. Please don't spend anything - I really mean that.". We WERE going to take him out to dinner, but he's flatly dismissed it. The only present we can think of that would be more a token thing are some books he's missing. It doesn't feel right, not properly celebrating his 70th. At least his entire family will be with him!

Well, he's gotta eat something. Can you do carry in to his home, along with a cake? Have someone make his favorite meal?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Well, he's gotta eat something. Can you do carry in to his home, along with a cake? Have someone make his favorite meal?

He changed his mind, thank goodness. We got him some presents, took him out to dinner at his favourite place, convinced the waiters to sing happy birthday to him...

 

[SC Minnie]

We put my mother on our cellphone plan and pay that for her for birthdays/mother's day/Christmas etc. She said she would rather have that taken care of than more stuff.

When my dad was still living I found someone to come out every other week and mow is yard. I did that for a couple of years before he passed. My dad was at a point he couldn't do it himself. He appreciated that more than stuff too.

 

[jo-jo]

Gift certificate for a house cleaning service.

I like the idea, but some older people don't like strangers snooping around. Are there kids and grandkids (not young young) that can come over every month or two for a few hours. Tackle the big stuff.

 

[Nancyg56]

My husband is 71 today. He really does not want anything. When pressed for ideas I told my granddaughter to bake him something. He loves that the girls will bake him a pie or brownies, cake or cookies.

For Christmas the younger girls made him memories. One created a book with pictures with him and some of hos favorites of them, and her sister made him a deck of cards. He treasures these kinds of gifts/