# What should I get my Dad for his bday? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587 "2004-08-26T13:12:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![boucheresq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@boucheresq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boucheresq)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/1 "2004-08-26T13:12:36Z")
It’s coming up and I have absolutely no clue what to get him. He’s in his late 50’s, an attorney, likes the Red Sox and Washington Redskins; likes to read but has “everything” he needs. Whenever asked what he wants it’s always “peace and love in the world”. Any help would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Bimble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b2d939/32.png) [@Bimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bimble)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/2 "2004-08-26T13:19:10Z")
Easy peasy!! What I do in situations like this is make up a “Goody Bag” of lots of little gifts (basically go out and raid the shops!) So maybe get him a few little bits for his computer or car, some sports memorabillia, a piece of jewellery (cufflinks?), etc - just LOADS of little bits all wrapped up and then put into a gift bag so he gets LOTS of prezzies!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/3 "2004-08-26T13:21:54Z")
Season tickets for two. You and him go to some ball games together. OR him and whoever when you can’t make it. Damned nice present if you ask me. A gift for others as well. ---
**Author:** ![foxymoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@foxymoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxymoron)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/4 "2004-08-26T13:24:53Z")
[TiVo!](http://www.tivo.com/jump/redir.asp?main=BuyNav&sub=HP_Redirect&URL=/2.0.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/5 "2004-08-26T13:27:56Z")
Whatever you get him, write him a nice letter letting him know how much he means to you. I think that will please him more than any material item. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/6 "2004-08-26T13:32:59Z")
What \*all \* men really want… A gift certificate to Home Depot. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/7 "2004-08-26T13:33:26Z")
\*\*Movies. \*\* Either a Blockbuster gift card, actual movies that you know he likes but doesn’t own, or movie theater passes. **A bottle of wine or champagne.** If he enjoys that sort of thing, it’s a very good gift. \*\*A Donation to his favorite charity or foundation. \*\* Whether it’s a conservation group, a disease research foundation, his old alma mater, a museum, or the local homeless fund…there’s always something that can use a little cash. \*\*A Photo of you. \*\* A picture of you and him when you were little, blown up, nicely framed. Awwwwww! ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/8 "2004-08-26T13:44:00Z")
I know it’s the thought that counts. AND Johnny is right about a nice card. That’s all I could do for my dad this month for his birthday. Money’s really tight right now. BUT…do you have an amount to spend in mind? If not…then I know a dad that’d like a new boat for his birthday. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/9 "2004-08-26T14:15:27Z")
Whatever you decide, you should throw in a paid membership to the Straight Dope Message Boards, as well. Then next year, you can start a “Happy Birthday Dad” thread. He will be moved beyond words. Do I have something on my nose? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/10 "2004-08-26T14:18:54Z")
Take him out to dinner. Spend some time with him instead of just adding another tchotchke to his collection. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/11 "2004-08-26T14:58:22Z")
I really like the intangible ideas thrown out so far, the gift to a charity (or candidate), a dinner, a thoughtful car. But if you wanna get something tangible, [The Sharper Image](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/) has helped me out of a couple dillies of a pickle before with gifts. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/12 "2004-08-26T15:00:44Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I really like the intangible ideas thrown out so far, the gift to a charity (or candidate), a dinner, **a thoughtful car**. But if you wanna get something tangible, [The Sharper Image](http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/) has helped me out of a couple dillies of a pickle before with gifts. ☹ I wish someone would send me a thoughtful car. ---
**Author:** ![thermalribbon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@thermalribbon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thermalribbon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/13 "2004-08-26T15:09:39Z")
As per **Scarlett67** , I agree. My pop is much like yours, so his birthdays lately consist usually of **18 Holes of Golf** played at an upscale course and dinner afterwards. This way, you’ve spent a day together, spent your money on him (thanks for college, dad!) and it will end up meaning more to him in the long run. I am finding that as we get older, we are becoming much closer and enjoy each other’s company as equals. These birthdays and father’s days are just excuses to hang out together anymore. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/14 "2004-08-26T15:31:26Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > ☹ I wish someone would send me a thoughtful car. [Kitt](http://www.1-camaroclub.de/assets/images/Kitt_knitt.jpg) _never_ forgets my birthday. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/15 "2004-08-26T16:08:20Z")
I came up with a great idea for a present for my Dad, but so far no one has responded to my [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=273040) asking for assistance in obtaining it. In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for someone with a Dad in a different timezone? I can’t exactly take him out to dinner or to a ballgame from 3000 miles away. Other than being a bit older, he could be the Dad described in the OP. He even uses the line about only wanting peace. One year I bought him one of those decorative rocks with the word peace carved into it. I’m not sure he really got it, but he still keeps the rock in his office. ---
**Author:** ![kevmark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kevmark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevmark)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/16 "2012-11-28T14:20:21Z")
it may be worth checking out [http://www.whichgifts.co.uk/Birthday%20Pages/Top-10-Best-Birthday-Gifts-For-Dad.html](http://www.whichgifts.co.uk/Birthday%20Pages/Top-10-Best-Birthday-Gifts-For-Dad.html) ok there a UK based websie but they hae some interesting indeas in this article. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/17 "2012-11-28T14:27:32Z")
> [@kevmark](#): > > it may be worth checking out [http://www.whichgifts.co.uk/Birthday%20Pages/Top-10-Best-Birthday-Gifts-For-Dad.html](http://www.whichgifts.co.uk/Birthday%20Pages/Top-10-Best-Birthday-Gifts-For-Dad.html) > > ok there a UK based websie but they hae some interesting indeas in this article. I’m guessing mid 60’s dad doesn’t need a Nerf gun or Call of Duty or a T-Shirt with a Drum Machine on it. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/18 "2012-11-28T14:53:48Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’m guessing mid 60’s dad doesn’t need a Nerf gun or Call of Duty or a T-Shirt with a Drum Machine on it. I’d be guessing the birthday happened 8 years ago and it’d be a little too late to suck up now. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/19 "2012-11-28T15:46:45Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I’d be guessing the birthday happened 8 years ago and it’d be a little too late to suck up now. OP’s dad was in his late 50’s in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587/20 "2012-11-28T15:49:20Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > OP’s dad was in his late 50’s in the OP. :eek: I meant more that he wouldn’t get the presenting time and not that he’s dead. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-get-my-dad-for-his-bday/261587.md?page=2)