To all the Dopers, my friends tell me that GENERALLY the people in here are very nice. So please help me out. My father’s birthday is 5-2-01 and I need ideas for a present. Not the typical shirt and tie thing. Any ideas? Please help!
have a look at http://www.aircombat.com
Welcome! And yes, most of us can be very nice under the right circumstances.
IMHO, it would help if we knew a bit about your father’s likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.
Example: My father loves model trains, but he now has 16 engines from past birthdays and Christmases - obviously he doesn’t need (or want) another engine. Solution - a shelf to display all the ones that are not running on the setup. He’s happy, mom’s happy, and the friends get to ohh and ahh over something that would normally be stuck in a drawer.
Also, what kind of budget you are you working with? Are you able to make a purchase on-line or do you have to go to a local store?
Give us more info and we may be able to help.
Well, my father is turning 49. He is a big fellow because he owns a body shop and also does body work on cars. He is a hardworker. He likes to rest a lot from working a lot. I don’t know.
This is a great question for the IMHO forum… not for GQ, so I’m moving it. Jill
If your father does not have a Victorinox brand Swiss army knife (accept no substitutes), get him one. The new SOG compound action pocket tool is also interesting. If that is too upscale for your budget, try one of the less expensive Cross pen and pencil sets. A person who works on cars can never have too many mag-lite flashlights either. One of the AAA cell Solitaires for his keychain is insanely useful. If you care about your dad, buy tickets to a show or concert and go with him. Toss in dinner if you can. You’ll never regret it.
I don’t know enough about your father to offer the right solution for him, but maybe this will point you in the right direction.
One approach is to get something he needs but would never think of buying for himself. After my grandmother developed arthritis she kept using her beautiful but heavy stoneware dishes. She never stopped thanking me for a lightweight set of Corning ware I gave her.
Another thing that usually works is to make the real present seem like an afterthought to a routine gift. You should have seen the look on my old roommate’s face when he unwrapped a paperback book and discovered that the bookmarks were two tickets to an NFL game.
How about a simple model car kit? There are a number of prepainted kits available that go together in an evening or two. Try your local Hobbytown or equivalent. Ertl, in particular, has prepainted versions of their very nice Edsel and '57 Chrysler kits available; the only additional thing you’d need would be a tube of glue.
I would suggest, if your budget allows, going over to The Sharper Image. I have been able to find something in the catalog for my dad for the past couple of years. The only problem is that some of their stuff acn get a bit pricey.
And how much are you wanting to spend, might be another excellent question.
I’m forty seven, but, I’m a mom, and so, please keep that in mind, dads can be much simpler to buy for at times!
A framed picture of YOU. Be sure and DATE the picture, and where it was taken. Preferably a new picture, but if you don’t have time, then get the newest one you have.
Dad likes to chill out after work?? How 'bout one of those remote control holders that lie across the arm of his favorite chair?
How 'bout some tickets for two to go do something with YOU? If you can’t afford much, make up your own tickets, doing something fun? Or tickets like IOU’s, ‘wash your car’ etc. and then he can claim them whenever he wants. Just be sure and come through when he presents it to you!
Subscription to his favorite magazine[s].
Good luck, and I hope your dad has a wonderful birthday.