help with gifts please. :(

[battricia]

i know this has been asked a million times, but i'm just completely out of ideas.

My dad is 60. He works all the time, and he drives far to his work and back home. the only other thing I ever see him do is sleep. He also likes the casino but it is a huge source of conflict for my mom (she thinks he should be doing other things that she wants him to do rather than spend time at the casino), so i guess i shouldn't buy him a gift cert to the casino. Other than that, all I ever get him is flannel shirts from LL bean that I can't even honestly say if he wears them all. In the past few years I've gotten him a ton of these shirts, surely he does not want anymore, but I fear it will be another year of shirts.

on top of that, he doesn't drink, he watches some TV but he already has a netflix subscription and HBO subscription, and he usually ends up sleeping while he's watching TV anyway.

For fathers day my sister and I got him a 'boom box' for his satellite radio. he does like that but I can't imagine there's anything else we can get for him for that. my sister and I are both pulling our hair out trying to figure out something, and my mom won't even talk of my dad anymore so asking her is out of the question. So if there is anything anyone can think of, I'd be greatly appreciative. Thanks!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Gas card. It is our gift of last resort. He has to fill his tank with gas. Plus throw in some lotto scratchers in there.

We have a gas station that is popluar with most people called "QT". It always appreciated and used.

 

[glitterkittyy]

i know this has been asked a million times, but i'm just completely out of ideas.

My dad is 60. He works all the time, and he drives far to his work and back home. the only other thing I ever see him do is sleep. He also likes the casino but it is a huge source of conflict for my mom (she thinks he should be doing other things that she wants him to do rather than spend time at the casino), so i guess i shouldn't buy him a gift cert to the casino. Other than that, all I ever get him is flannel shirts from LL bean that I can't even honestly say if he wears them all. In the past few years I've gotten him a ton of these shirts, surely he does not want anymore, but I fear it will be another year of shirts.

on top of that, he doesn't drink, he watches some TV but he already has a netflix subscription and HBO subscription, and he usually ends up sleeping while he's watching TV anyway.

For fathers day my sister and I got him a 'boom box' for his satellite radio. he does like that but I can't imagine there's anything else we can get for him for that. my sister and I are both pulling our hair out trying to figure out something, and my mom won't even talk of my dad anymore so asking her is out of the question. So if there is anything anyone can think of, I'd be greatly appreciative. Thanks!

Well if he doesn't have a lifetime subscription, you could pay for a year of his satellite radio?

 

[battricia]

he actually is on my sisters satellite subscription so he doesn't pay for that anyway.


I have seriously considerd gas and dunkin donuts (he loves coffee) gift cards, but it seems so little (size wise) and while i'm sure he'd use them i think he might think they were strange gifts. I told my sister I was going to do the dunkin donuts GC thing and she laughed (and then wanted to steal the idea for herself!)

ETA: the lotto tickets would be good too, except I live in IL and he lives in PA so i couldn't get him PA tickets.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

How about a small pack of tickets to a local minor league baseball stadium?

You are in Penn - Depending on WHERE in Penn you are, you could to Trenton Thunder. They have 5 game packs that are about $100 for 2 tickets to each game. They also have ones where they have free food, or free bobble heads..... Its a lot of fun, and he may really enjoy it. And, not to sound corny, but its the gift that keeps on giving since it starts in the spring / summer, and lasts for 5 games!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

he actually is on my sisters satellite subscription so he doesn't pay for that anyway.


I have seriously considerd gas and dunkin donuts (he loves coffee) gift cards, but it seems so little (size wise) and while i'm sure he'd use them i think he might think they were strange gifts. I told my sister I was going to do the dunkin donuts GC thing and she laughed (and then wanted to steal the idea for herself!)

ETA: the lotto tickets would be good too, except I live in IL and he lives in PA so i couldn't get him PA tickets.

If he would use them then that is a good gift for him since he is so hard to buy for. Do a gift card assortment.

 

[ckay87]

This might seem stupid, but my dad is hard to buy for too. I got him this:
http://www.amazon.com/Talus-Sofa-Ov...1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1260555203&sr=8-1

and I think I'm even going to stock it with stuff. Who can't use that thing?

 

[battricia]

Nutterbutter: he is not really a sports fan. He watches nascar and in the past we've gotten him nascar tickets for his birthday but this year he told us he didn't want that anymore. He's really sort of a hermit, doesn't leave the house much except to go to work.

 

[battricia]

haha, i think my mom would have a heart attack if i got that couch thing for him

 

[suejai]

What about audio books? Gives him something else to listen to on his drive. I know DH sometimes gets fed up with the satellite radio on his drives - he says they play a loop of the same songs.

 

[shrubber]

Here is thought for that dad, husband, guy you can never seem to pick out a gift for.

Try a nice pocketknife. I never met a guy who couldn't use a nice one.

 

[glitterkittyy]

Nutterbutter: he is not really a sports fan. He watches nascar and in the past we've gotten him nascar tickets for his birthday but this year he told us he didn't want that anymore. He's really sort of a hermit, doesn't leave the house much except to go to work.

What about something to make his drive more comfy. Like one of those ergo car seat cushions?

 

[ckay87]

haha, i think my mom would have a heart attack if i got that couch thing for him

Oops! That's right...not what we're supposed to be encouraging, huh? How about a tool box or a halogen work spotlight?

The heck with your mom...just let the poor guy enjoy himself. 'Nother thread I guess.

 

[tinatark]

pajamas? Maybe a joint gift for him and your mom - new sheets/comforter? We have discovered that a lot of older people's household "stuff" is wearing out and have replaced some of it as gifts. (towels, sheets/comforter set, small appliances, etc.)

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Well I like my idea


J/K! Truthfully, though, he may not realize how much he likes it till he does it. Maybe just buy one game (maybe football, or something other than baseball if thats not his thing). It will give him and your mother a date night, and at least get the "hermit" out of the house! Just a thought!

 

[battricia]

'Nother thread I guess.

Haha, yes that's a WHOLE 'nother thread.

thanks for the ideas, i really appreciate them all!

 

[clarabelle]

I love to download books from audible.
What about an I-pod to listen to in the car?

I am getting my parents all gift cards. I think I am going to get a plant and hang them from it. Restaurant, Home depot etc....