My mother’s sweetheart is 87 years young. This gentleman has been more of a father to me than any other male role model in my life. I would like to honor him and our relationship by giving him a meaningful gift this Christmas.
Problem is, I’m reluctant to give him a material object, because he has recently entered that stage where he’s trying to assign destinations for all of his sundry belongings after he passes. Every time I visit, he says “Come over here, I want to show you something” – and then proceeds to cajole me into accepting the item on the spot, or agreeing to take it later.
And for some reason, my mind is stuck on “meaningful/significant = material object.” I’m drawing a complete blank on an “experience” kind of gift that is unique and heartfelt.
So Dopers, any fantabulous ideas? Thanks in advance!
He’s into U of Oregon Football, carpentry (but he can no longer stand for long periods), time spent with family, vodka tonics, his church community, naps, his two kitties (they have him wrapped around their furry tails!), sugar cookies, and Tillamook cheddar.
Signing in as an octogenarian, I have finally dissuaded my kids from getting me gifts, as there is not anything I really want that I have not already bought myself.
I do like Sigmagirl’s suggestion, or something of that sort.
Maybe frontrow tickets to a play, sports event or a concert?
Guys our age hve pretty much seen-it-all or done-it-all, so very difficult to think of anything we really want or need.
For my 80th birthday, my son took me to a parasailing place from a boat. That was way cool. How about a ride in an antique airplane or a sailplane? A hot air balloon ride? Otherwise, I got nothing.
In my case, perhaps a Ferrari, Maserati or Lamborghini .
My dad is going to be 79 this month. For his birthday, I’m getting him a large tin of nuts (cashews and pecans), and for Xmas, I’m sending him and my mother a precooked ham. He can eat nuts, and he enjoys them very much. It won’t bother his diabetes. I’m going to give my mother an assortment of nuts and dried fruits, which she loves, for her birthday (on the same day as my father’s is).
Every year, I ask them if there’s something they’d rather have. And every year, they assure me that they love the edibles, because they are CONSUMABLE, and they re-use the tins.
Does he wear cologne? My grandparents liked getting their favorite scents.
Heck, my dad loves that too. Sure, they can buy it themselves, but the fact they’re getting something they like is nice. Plus, money not spent is that is spent on something else.
Did he serve in the military? I know my dad has a baseball cap from the USS Constellation, which he did a tour on. Depending on if he served and was stationed, there might be some sort of clothing/memorabilia specifically for that place.
Dear Abby recently suggested making a gift of vet bills (ideally, vet bills for life) to elders, so that they know that their beloved pets will not be forced to suffer due to lack of funds.
Wow, awesome ideas! Unfortunately, we’re in SoCal so an Oregon Ducks visit isn’t likely. But boy, would he love that.
He would indeed appreciate consumables, including cheese straws and Grey Goose (oh yeah!). And I love the idea of vet bills. I think I’ll put together an edibles/booze/cat voucher basket with some Ducks swag.
I’m not harping on this idea because it was mine, but if he’s been a fan for a while, maybe there are some alumni players in the area. Or some current players could give him a phone call to thank him for his support. The college will have a public relations office that may be willing to set something up for an 87-year-old fan.
Give him a paint-by-numbers kit, one of those high-end ones that look like actual art when they’re finished, and tell him you’d like him to finish it and autograph it for you and then give it back to you next year for Christmas or your birthday.
Something fun to do for him / make him feel useful. Might spark an interest in actual painting.
Every year I give my grandfather (now 94) a calendar with pictures of his two great-grandsons. For about a month, he carries it around with him everywhere, showing it off. You mentioned time spent with family, so maybe this or some other family-specific personalized item could work.
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