|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Dec 14, 2018 3:03:45 GMT
Oh why is it so hard to get him something. He won't give clues either.. He is a good guy. Very quite (unlike my not so dear MIL) and impossible to buy for.
We have done the Starbuck's gift cards numerous times (he does like to go there)
We have done the gift cards to various restaurants they like.
We have done lotto tickets.
I even did transfer a bunch of their 8mm film to digital.
We don't spend BIG bucks, something usually $50 or under for the most part.
Don't want to do the 'grandpa loves me' type stuff.. they don't need more stuff like that and the kids are getting older.
I have a bag of cashews in my Amazon cart. That's it. LOL
Any thoughts?
|
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Dec 14, 2018 3:08:40 GMT
I give my dad his Amazon Prime subscription. He loves his Prime! What about a car wash subscription? Dad has one for the place in town and it’s $20ish a month for unlimited car washes.
|
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Dec 14, 2018 3:10:45 GMT
I made my husband buy his family their gifts. He sucked at first, but got much better.
|
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Dec 14, 2018 3:11:36 GMT
They don't do Amazon or anything like that. AT ALL. So anything remotely electronic, ordering online is out. They are one step above a VCR. They won't even do the TiVo thing.
Car Wash thing might be a good idea.. I'll have to see what they have around them.
|
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Dec 14, 2018 3:12:58 GMT
I made my husband buy his family their gifts. He sucked at first, but got much better. I usually do but he now travels and it's hard for him to do that now. Believe me though, before he started driving, he did their shopping. But I am trying to be the good wife. LOL |
|
|
|
Post by lexilu on Dec 14, 2018 3:32:52 GMT
I can relate to this completely! My FIL is also impossible to buy Christmas gifts for. He likes Trump so I think I'm going to buy a book about him. He also loves golf. The 100 US Open in 2019 is at Pebble Beach so I'm trying to find something to give him for his February birthday. Another idea is a toaster oven. My dad, who is 83, recently bought himself a toaster oven. He just loves it.
|
|
|
|
Post by berty on Dec 14, 2018 3:45:09 GMT
If he lives near by maybe make it an "experience" gift - like a Starbucks gift card, but his son or grandkids will do a coffee date with him. I know coordinating schedules isn't easy, but the older I get the more I treasure time with my family.
|
|
M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128 
|
Post by M in Carolina on Dec 14, 2018 3:54:56 GMT
I can relate to this completely! My FIL is also impossible to buy Christmas gifts for. He likes Trump so I think I'm going to buy a book about him. He also loves golf. The 100 US Open in 2019 is at Pebble Beach so I'm trying to find something to give him for his February birthday. Another idea is a toaster oven. My dad, who is 83, recently bought himself a toaster oven. He just loves it. Back in 2014, the US Open was in Pinehurst, NC, so I got Rob a ticket for our anniversary. He bought their yearly art poster for us to hang up. 2014 US Open I searched and didn't see the 2019 poster yet, but there is a lot of US Open gifts on the USGA website. He also got me a Women's Open baseball cap signed by Annika Sörenstam. I'm giving it to my niece who is already winning local championships at 7! |
|
|
|
Post by mikewozowski on Dec 14, 2018 3:57:55 GMT
my mom is super hard to buy for, too. if you ask her what she wants, she will say, "I don't know." we try to think of things anyway. the best thing i ever got her was a kindle (and then later a kindle paperwhite). i also put books on it for her. i got it for her not knowing if she would like it or not. i figured that it was no different than any other gift i had given her that she didn't use. turns out she likes it a LOT!
we have gotten her:
a charm bracelet (actually more than one)
a tv
a kindle
items for crafts
basket with candy/snacks
clothes (everyone needs clothes now and then
a roku and a paper showing how to work it (and she can use our netflix and amazon
framed pics of the kids
a digital frame
flower pot for the porch
gift cards for car washes and haircuts
for a man, idk.
the best thing i got my dad was clamps for his woodworking
nuts
candy
clothes
a jacket
my FIL needs some new pants, so we got those today and a new fishing shirt to go with)
last year it was a robe and slippers
today we got him a new tie holder for his closet
gift cards for restaurants
we got him an oilless fryer that they like
cologne?
shavers?
new wallet with gift cards to things he likes
my dad liked it if we got him pecans to crack and freeze
my mom likes it if you make her food for the freezer or cookies
it is hard, but there has to be a few things he will like.
|
|
M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
|
Post by M in Carolina on Dec 14, 2018 3:59:08 GMT
Oh why is it so hard to get him something. He won't give clues either.. He is a good guy. Very quite (unlike my not so dear MIL) and impossible to buy for. We have done the Starbuck's gift cards numerous times (he does like to go there) We have done the gift cards to various restaurants they like. We have done lotto tickets. I even did transfer a bunch of their 8mm film to digital. We don't spend BIG bucks, something usually $50 or under for the most part. Don't want to do the 'grandpa loves me' type stuff.. they don't need more stuff like that and the kids are getting older. I have a bag of cashews in my Amazon cart. That's it. LOL Any thoughts? My in-laws have enjoyed Harry and David fruit before. Or maybe candy from when he was a kid. Candy by the decade
My dad always loved flannel shirts. A set of battery powered trimmers? Rob loves his, and it was under $30. It has guards for him to have a close trimmed beard. A shaving set? Magazine subscription or coffee table book? |
|
|
|
Post by mygigiscraps on Dec 14, 2018 4:02:24 GMT
Combine their gifts by giving them a restaurant gift card and movie tickets.
|
|
|
|
Post by mrssmith on Dec 14, 2018 4:06:50 GMT
Board game?
Add more nuts, cheeses, meats, crackers to your cashews and make a basket!
Photo book?
|
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Dec 14, 2018 4:09:15 GMT
Does he read? Bookstore coupons if you don't have an idea.
Movie tickets.
Tickets to local movie theater
Magazine about an interest he might have (gardening/woodworking)
jigsaw puzzle
Is there a unique experience "place" around you? Example: Near here is a place where someone can drive heavy equipment for an hour, play on a bull dozier, use a back hoe etc.
Pass to drive on a racetrack
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 5:22:05 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 4:35:22 GMT
I just crabbed about this. I tried to order schwans for my husband’s father. Since it is a gift it gets shipped through the mail. I want to pick my time and day to deliver. Completely ridiculous that I can not order through the local Schwann guy.
We can not send the old goat money, because he dumps it in a slot machine.
He has everything. I mean everything. More tools than you can imagine.
He drove heavy machinery. So an experience like that is out.
He is 91 , cares only about gambling and his 99 year old girlfriend.
He doesn’t really care about his grandchildren so he doesn’t need photos of them.
No pets, he gave us the parrot. He teases and is really kind of mean to animals so I hope nobody gets him any.
He really can’t travel, besides he has taken the other brothers on vacation but never us. Let them take care of travel for him.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 14, 2018 4:42:30 GMT
I made my husband buy his family their gifts. He sucked at first, but got much better. Same here. I took care of my family’s gifts, he was on the hook for his. And I didn’t even care if the gifts he got them sucked because the gifts they gave us sucked so we were all even, LOL. |
|
LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
|
Post by LeaP on Dec 14, 2018 4:55:10 GMT
I gave my FIL a Peet's coffee subscription for years. He loved it.
Is there something he likes but is a treat?
|
|
smcast
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,314
Location: MN
|
Post by smcast on Dec 14, 2018 8:04:31 GMT
Gift certificate where he gets his hair cut.
|
|
The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,926
|
Post by The Great Carpezio on Dec 14, 2018 10:08:56 GMT
Smart wool or Darn Tough socks
A set of really good steaks
A yeti
A state park sticker or similar experience
Lottery tickets
Rocketbook (look into it. Reusable notebook if he writes a lot of lists and such)
|
|
|
|
Post by mollycoddle on Dec 14, 2018 10:50:19 GMT
My dad was always cold, so fleece vests and sweaters were always a hit.
|
|
maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,731
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
|
Post by maryannscraps on Dec 14, 2018 11:03:06 GMT
I went with Harry and David pears. He's been trying to eat better, and those pears are delish.
|
|
|
|
Post by Saff on Dec 14, 2018 11:07:57 GMT
Headlamp flashlight
camera bag
barbeque apron with pockets for utensils
Hot and cold thermos flask
wallet
camping lantern
small portable fire extinguisher for his car
electric toothbrush
|
|
|
|
Post by annaintx on Dec 14, 2018 12:07:16 GMT
I hear you. I gave up buying for the ILs and DH now does it. One year I found a book to give my FIL that he had mentioned he wanted. He opened it, sat down and immediately read the whole thing, then gave it back to me several hours later and told me to return it because he didn't need it. That's the year I stopped buying for them.
|
|
peabrain
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,588
|
Post by peabrain on Dec 14, 2018 13:12:20 GMT
One of the best gifts I gave my grandmother was playing cards with a pic of my dd on them. She played cards everyday. I think shutterfly did them. But that was at least 10 years ago. It broke my heart after she died and I got them back.
I do the shutterfly calendar for a lot of my family so they have pics of us throughout the year. "hey look at us!" just kidding.
Does he drink?
Could you bake for him?
What about a personalized blanket with family stuff on it?
Where was he born? A book about the town? History?
New slippers?
|
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Dec 14, 2018 13:28:52 GMT
Rocketbook (look into it. Reusable notebook if he writes a lot of lists and such) Well, it won't be for my father-in-law, but that's perfect for someone else on my list. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Dec 14, 2018 14:35:56 GMT
Thanks for the ideas.. I'm going to check into some of those. Some ideas are great but really doesn't apply to him. Some suggestions we have done.. the movie/dinner gift cards.. although we might just do that again. They do like to eat out. They are past the age of camping and all that. I think last year we did a bunch of fun puzzles for them. Maybe a new board game. They like Scrabble.. so something similar... ummmm maybe something like that!!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 5:22:05 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2018 14:44:51 GMT
I hear you. I gave up buying for the ILs and DH now does it. One year I found a book to give my FIL that he had mentioned he wanted. He opened it, sat down and immediately read the whole thing, then gave it back to me several hours later and told me to return it because he didn't need it. That's the year I stopped buying for them. This is funny. |
|
|
|
Post by ameslou on Dec 14, 2018 14:44:59 GMT
|
|
ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,504
|
Post by ellen on Dec 14, 2018 14:52:56 GMT
I got my dad a bunch of food items from a popular local bakery and deli. He has a new lady friend (my mom died 4+ years ago, this is a good thing) and this ends up being kind of a gift for both of them since they eat dinner together most nights. I put together enough for about five meals and some good things to have with coffee. I’d love it if someone gave this to me.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,905
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Dec 14, 2018 14:57:59 GMT
My FIL is hard to shop for too we used to do restaurant gift cards but now he's on a strict diet. We used to do movie tickets, I don't know if they were ever used. Now he gets tea...
My MIL goes to work and watches TV... she is also impossible to shop for. The only gift I know didn't go on a shelf or closet never to be touched again was a coffee maker and photos of the kids.
|
|
iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,281
Location: Michigan
|
Post by iluvpink on Dec 14, 2018 15:10:34 GMT
Oh gosh it is frustrating isn't it?
My parents are super hard to buy for. I get especially stressed shopping for my mom. She is crazy picky about everything. She likes clothes but she will stand in a store for an hour debating two sweaters. Which one looks best, is most comfortable, will the tag itch her, are the sleeves long enough, will it be TOO warm with a coat. I have seen the woman hold up two exact sweaters to compare the sleeve length etc. Oh wait, this one has a snag, this one appears to be a millimeter longer. Same with socks, pajamas etc. If you get her something that does not meet her standards she will tell/show you in detail where you went wrong. "but it's ok, I'll exchange it etc".
But yet she likes personal so gift cards aren't a favorite. Volunteering is her hobby so that's not something you can shop for. She likes cooking gadgets but has a ton and limited room to store things.
This year I got her a sweater which she approved of, a wall calendar (yearly tradition) and some chocolates. I need to get her a little something else, but don't know what.
|
|
Southern Side eyed Pea 
