My dad likes tools, but he’s picky about which ones so I just get him a big gift card for Home Depot. He also likes history books, so I do a little research and try to find some well-regarded ones.
**Mature Gentlemen: What do you want for Christmas? **
D&D miniatures (Blood Wars or War of the Dragon Queen).
What?
I’m getting my dad another pay-as-you-go cellphone so I don’t have to worry about him too much when he’s senioring around town.
I have plenty of great gift ideas for my father, who is in his mid-sixties. The problem is his womanfriend, who has been in the picture for about three or four years but with whom I have hardly spent any time.
Do I get him all the cool gifts and give impersonal gifts?
Do I get them mutual gifts and not give dad the cool gifts?
Do I give dad the cool gifts and her the mutual gifts. No, I won’t do that.
Any ideas on how to make mature dad happy in my choice of gifts to give his woman?
I’d find out where she gets her hair/nails done (if she’s the type) and give her a gift certificate. Maybe you could go with her and have a couple hours of girl-talk time to get to know her.
I’m 45 with 5 kids young enough to live in the house and not have any money, so I think I’m right in this demographic. First, I agree with those that say a single well made anything is better than any number of poorly made other things. Second, mom is probably no help, as evidenced by the gifts my wife buys me. Third, there are things I want that I can’t afford. That means my kids can’t afford them, either. Mostly, I can’t afford them because I have kids, so short of finding a way to be less expensive, there is not much they can do. My suggestions are:
- I mostly want time. My life is hectic. I like to read, but I have a 7 foot bookcase of books I haven’t read because I don’t have time. Give me some time. Perhaps, this can even be a gift to mom. A coupon to take mom out shopping or for dinner would be a treat for her, which is a treat for me, and give me some time to read. How can you give him time “to hobby”?
- Jesus said “Your heart is with your treasure”. In my case, it is more, “My heart is where I spend what leisure time I have.” I read, run, swim, bike, ski, play games, watch movies and dink with the computer. Get something related to this. One daughter buys me running/biking/tri socks that she thinks are cute or funny. Works for me. Lots of guys like to build things, so tools are great for them, others golf, some landscape. You see how it works. What does dad do?
- Browsing and seeing something I’d want if I knew it existed is a great idea. I just got back from a business trip, and actually intercepted the mail before my wife threw out all of the catalogs. The Hammecher Schlemmer catalog has things I’d never buy, but would play with - like a hovering target shooting game. Me and the guys in the office would probably spend hours with it. Some office toys just look cool. Hell, good slippers would be nice. I’m not buying them, because I’m lazy, and it seems selfish to drop $40 on myself when I know someone in the family is going to need the money for something more important. What cool gadget, clothing item, movie would your dad like, but have no idea it exists?
- Something I can do with other family members. Some lift tickets for someplace I already have a pass for, but the kids don’t. A football to toss around with the boys. What does your dad like to do with your mom or sister?
- A secret I use when shopping for my wife: I think about what she is going to buy. If I know she wants a dress or a watch, I might buy her one. If you know I’m going to buy a new bike gadget, pick it up for me. Sign me up for a race you know I want to do. Last year, I bought some coaching with money my mom gave me. My kids could easily buy me a few months coaching. I feel guilty buying this stuff on my own, so getting it as a gift would be great. What is your dad most likely to buy in the near future, that is a nice gift? (You notice, a fair number of us old farts appear to find even underwear and socks good gifts.)
Who doesn’t need one of these?