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Post by busy on Oct 18, 2021 18:44:42 GMT
First of all, my family is not into lavish birthday gifts, but is into acknowledging the day. Further, my parents are moving into a new, much smaller home (finally!!) in about a year, so STUFF is absolutely not what they want at this point. I'm kind of stumped what to do for my stepfather's 80th birthday next week and would love some ideas.
1. He has some health issues and is immune-compromised. Though he has already had the covid booster, his doctor does not want him out in public more than necessary, so the experience-type gifts we usually give are out.
2. His health issues also mean he has some dietary limitations, so restaurant/takeout isn't really the best idea.
3. He likes crossword puzzles, etc. We gave him a subscription to the NYT Games app (among other things) at Christmas and he loves it.
4. He reads a lot, mostly on a Kindle, but a Kindle gift card seems so boring. May be the best way to go, though.
Would love any ideas on acknowledging a milestone birthday from a distance! (We are in different states.)
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Post by MichyM on Oct 18, 2021 19:09:23 GMT
Would he appreciate something like this? I think it would be fun and fascinating! GIFT IDEA |
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Post by busy on Oct 18, 2021 19:14:00 GMT
Would he appreciate something like this? I think it would be fun and fascinating! GIFT IDEAHe would... and my mom would be pissed to add another "must keep" to their thousands of books that they need to DRAMATICALLY downsize (like by 80%) for their move. But definitely bookmarking this for DH - he would be into this! |
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Post by ~summer~ on Oct 18, 2021 19:14:11 GMT
- subscription to The New Yorker (my favorite) or The Economist
- does he like to cook? A meal kit (2 meals for 2 people) from Marleyspoon (can choose diet restrictions)
- a high quality cashmere sweater
- an Alexa
- quarterly wine delivery from local winery
- books - they recently announced The Booker Prize and the National Book Award finalists - lots of good choices
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Post by penguin on Oct 18, 2021 19:59:24 GMT
How about a new crossword puzzle dictionary? Or would he consider that cheating?
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Post by peanutterbutter on Oct 18, 2021 20:02:33 GMT
Any consumables that you could do a few months delivery of? Wine, beer, fruit? I saw a murder mystery of the month club that you solve at home? Digital picture frame filled with photos?
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Post by ~summer~ on Oct 18, 2021 20:03:45 GMT
What about a Coursera class (I used to love these) or Master Class subscription/course?
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Post by peanutterbutter on Oct 18, 2021 20:18:51 GMT
Any consumables that you could do a few months delivery of? Wine, beer, fruit? I saw a murder mystery of the month club that you solve at home? Digital picture frame filled with photos?
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 18, 2021 20:26:17 GMT
Would he appreciate something like this? I think it would be fun and fascinating! GIFT IDEAI love this idea! And one can never have too many books! Plus, it’s more than a book. For my dad’s birthday, he gets a membership for the car wash. He can get his car washed as many times as he likes each month. He loves to have a clean car. |
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Post by lisae on Oct 18, 2021 21:47:51 GMT
Pay for a year of Kindle Unlimited.
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Post by scrappinmom3 on Oct 18, 2021 22:37:32 GMT
Lottery tickets
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,442 
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Oct 18, 2021 22:46:53 GMT
Would he appreciate something like this? I think it would be fun and fascinating! GIFT IDEAI got one of those several years ago for my step-grandpa. He LOVED it. |
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Post by getting started on Oct 18, 2021 22:49:59 GMT
Storyworth. They email him one question each week. He answers. In the end the stories are published in book (similar to a photo book). We did this for my dad's 80th. Great writing prompts like - favourite high school subject, first job ever, growing up what food you like/dislike. We got ALL KINDS of stories out of my dad that we hadn't heard before. It was great.
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Post by kluski on Oct 19, 2021 0:22:07 GMT
My mom is turning 80 in December and I’m beginning to think how we can celebrate her. I’m actually thinking about the food delivery services like blue apron or the like.
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Post by mollycoddle on Oct 19, 2021 0:34:54 GMT
My dad used to like food gifts, like fresh figs, dates, or really good nuts, chocolates. He was always cold, so warm vests, flannel shirts were good gifts.
ETA: He loved The Economist, and read it faithfully, so that was a good gift. If he is interested in genealogy, a membership to ancestry.com might be good.
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Post by busy on Oct 19, 2021 0:44:13 GMT
Storyworth. They email him one question each week. He answers. In the end the stories are published in book (similar to a photo book). We did this for my dad's 80th. Great writing prompts like - favourite high school subject, first job ever, growing up what food you like/dislike. We got ALL KINDS of stories out of my dad that we hadn't heard before. It was great. We did this a few years ago and it was great! |
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Post by busy on Oct 19, 2021 0:47:14 GMT
Any consumables that you could do a few months delivery of? Wine, beer, fruit? I saw a murder mystery of the month club that you solve at home? Digital picture frame filled with photos? Your post prompted me to call the gourmet produce store that i worked for summers during college - it’s close to my parents’ home and they shop there regularly. They’re going to put together a monthly basket for them of seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’ll be perfect. Practical and usable but also something he’ll really enjoy. Thanks for the idea! |
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Post by mama2three on Oct 19, 2021 1:37:00 GMT
When my FIL turned 80, the family got a digital picture frame. Everyone in the extended family contributed lots of favorite family photos, including some scanned from his old family albums and photos of grandkids, etc. one person corralled all the photos and uploaded onto the digital frame. There were thousands. It was a huge hit that is still in use years later. Everyone who visits comments on the photos. From time to time grandchildren upload more new photos.
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Post by peanutterbutter on Oct 19, 2021 1:41:40 GMT
Any consumables that you could do a few months delivery of? Wine, beer, fruit? I saw a murder mystery of the month club that you solve at home? Digital picture frame filled with photos? Your post prompted me to call the gourmet produce store that i worked for summers during college - it’s close to my parents’ home and they shop there regularly. They’re going to put together a monthly basket for them of seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’ll be perfect. Practical and usable but also something he’ll really enjoy. Thanks for the idea! So glad it sparked an idea! My mother is 82, she still likes to get "things", but I am at the point where I don't want to have to clean it all out someday! |
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Post by Skellinton on Oct 19, 2021 4:12:09 GMT
Would he appreciate something like this? I think it would be fun and fascinating! GIFT IDEAThis is so great. Bookmarking for both my parent’s birthdays next year, they will both be 80 and I know they will love that. |
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Oct 19, 2021 4:24:22 GMT
For my dad’s 75th we got him the TIME magazine birthday book. I got the idea from a pea. My dad loved it!!! It gives the cover of time magazine from each birthday.
We’ve also done family photo shoots. We get a mini shoot. So the whole family in 45 min.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 19, 2021 12:53:37 GMT
Any consumables that you could do a few months delivery of? Wine, beer, fruit? I saw a murder mystery of the month club that you solve at home? Digital picture frame filled with photos? Your post prompted me to call the gourmet produce store that i worked for summers during college - it’s close to my parents’ home and they shop there regularly. They’re going to put together a monthly basket for them of seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’ll be perfect. Practical and usable but also something he’ll really enjoy. Thanks for the idea! Nice! For those of you looking for something similar that don't have a fabulous local option, we were very happy with Harry & David baskets for my in-laws. |
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