Gifts from abroad
 

I need help with regards to gift ideas. I have a father whose birthday is in November, inconsiderately close to Xmas. I desperately need to think of something that can be bought online, avoiding the need to post it from Canada.

He has no hobbies or interests.

He has clothes.

Previously, the family clubbed together and got him a lap top. He now has all possible computer accessories.

Then we got him a camera. I have exhausted all camera accessory options.

He used to read, but now uses the internet for that.

Last year I got him a movie subscription thing. Now he downloads.

He has been bought a bottle of whiskey as a fall back gift idea, over and over again.

I bought him a crate of various craft beers once, but it's too soon to repeat that idea.

All ideas welcome. What do you all send to your family? Or, if you are a 60 something man, what would you like? (Leaving aside comedy answers like a speed boat or a hooker).

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Ebook reader?

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

I was just about to say, get him some ebooks or ibooks ( whichever device he has ) and you can gift them straight to him.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

I'm a 40something year old man and I wouldn't say no to a speedboat.....

I'd second suggestions for an ebook reader.

Failing that some kind of food/wine hamper?

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Booze remains the best gift as it always get's used.

I remember my father once buying me a massage seat for my car one year. The following year on the way to Christmas dinner I noticed it still unopened in the box in the back of my car 365 days later.

Booze!

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

I hate buying useless gifts just for the sake of giving a person something...so I usually send money. I find guys very hard to buy for...the older they are the worse it is IMO.

What about a M&S gift basket? Or something else from M&S online that he can exchange at the store.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Socks.

I'm not joking - I love getting socks as presents.

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How about cinema or theatre tickets? Brewery tour?

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No wonder you need a pet wolf to seem hard.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Does he have a garden he enjoys? You can get National Garden Centre Vouchers for him to choose something himself. Alternatively, even M&S will deliver ornate shrubs as gifts and planted patio planters etc. I'm sure other sites do similar things too.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

:rofl:

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Thanks to all. Keep the ideas coming unless, like me, you have realised this to be a thankless and almost impossible task.

The kindle thing is a great idea and may just do the trick.

I did chuckle at the thought of him gardening, and at the idea of him not being evicted early from the brewery tour. Socks may be safer.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

What about a year's membership for say, the National Trust which can be used in all of the UK and Eire and overseas also as many countries have reciprocal agreements.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

That's a nice idea and a great gift.

He won't go though, it'll be raining.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Pity you got him that computer..it is far too useful!!!!
One time when I was away from home on his birthday, instead of getting my impossibly hard to buy for husband a hamper from the usual suspects, I logged onto Tesco's site and got him all his favourite food delivered. This is better than a hamper as you can choose food that they really like - I got him steak, mushrooms, onions, his favourite bread, red wine, etc etc. He really liked that!!

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

The man has existed exclusively on meat, potatoes and alcohol since time began. Perhaps the odd boiled egg and toast.

Actually, that would be a fairly inexpensive birthday gift......

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New toaster?

Risky, you might be disinherited...

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Yes, one day the existing toaster will be mine. All mine.

Aren't there any 60-somethings on here who can give some honest, real life examples of good gifts? Or are they all too busy moaning about the weather and the MOT to bother?

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They are all sitting about in beautiful NT gardens reading their ebooks I think.

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Well, I'd really enjoy a gift certificate to the local Indian with delivery service. Or if I could get them all to chip in, an ipad. :thumbup:

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Tsk. Lazy job dodgers.

It looks like the kindle is the winning idea, so far. The only downside is that he won't know how to use it. I'll have to explain, even though I don't know how to use it but I can make a reasonable guess. All this via Skype :beer:

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

If you want to get creative, a large box of assorted Fray Bentos pies. They last forever and make a nice tea after you've watched the racing.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Foreign food? Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure if I've ever seen him eat a pie. Will have to think about that one.

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Does he like smoked salmon and the like? I sent a really nice gift box from these folks - recipients were delighted and said it was excellent quality....
http://www.ardtaraigfinefoods.co.uk/

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

You might find something he wants in this catalogue. :)


Argos

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

I miss Argos. :(

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

I'm pretty sure that's his watch.

Still no further on here and now I'm having doubts about the kindle.

What is the appropriate ettiquette involved in cancelling other people's birthdays? And Xmas, while we are at it.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

How about certificate to get his car cleaned in and out half a dozen times or so...especially with the winter coming..unless he is too fussy about his vehicle or doesn't own or drive. Tickets for a panto in his local area as the festive season is upon us, I'm in my earls sixties and would enjoy either of those....but then again a female and we do think differently. Or Train trip to London to see a theatre production or musical. Good luck I guess us oldies have everything and can be fussy.

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

A hot, juicy steak, topped with crumbled stilton and served on a bed of crisp salad (at a local restaurant by a chef who knows how to cook a steak). Served with a pint of whatever he likes best and a potato.

If you can order this online, as well as a flight over there so you can watch him eat it, you'll make him a very happy man :)

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

You could get him a tree - I got my Mum a bay tree for the leaves one year but you can get all sorts http://www.tree2mydoor.com/

Mum has also received an elephant (sponsor)

Dad has received a day out in London to have when he wants with all different choices for the day.

Grandad has received a fruit cake (with greetings from Canada) a bottle of whiskey.

BIL has asked for a chicken or a goat or a well or whatever to be donated to a village/family type gift and these are getting more and more popular.

I have done the meal for two from Tescos or the gourmet version http://www.banquet-in-a-box.co.uk/

Stepson has just received a car but that was a one off for his 21st...

It is really tricky and difficult, hope you find something your happy with for him:fingerscrossed:

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

Oooh this could be my father , am watching with interest!

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

You could do something charitable for him... buy him a goat for africa or whatever... Oxfam could use the "stuff" more than him anyway by the sound of it.

Then you dont have to mail him anything.

http://www.oxfam.ca/what-you-can-do/...xfam-unwrapped

Doesnt have to be Oxfam of course...

https://www.msfwarehouse.ca/top-10


Too treehuggyhempslippered liberal?

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

A nice new bunnet.

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In short, yes.

I'm dying here, really. I cannot send another bottle of whiskey. It's getting embarrassing now and it's not even appreciated.

For Fathers Day I planned ahead and picked up a bottle when in Colorado earlier in the year. It was a fancy bottle, not the priciest in the world but it was special enough, not something you can get in Tesco. I smuggled it back in my suitcase and dutifully posted it off. The total bill including postage would have funded a couple of kindles. The response...."That was nice".

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You could send me a bottle of whiskey and tell him you made a charitable donation, and I could send him a letter saying how nice you are;):lol:

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It may come to that.

In the spirit (ha) of being helpful, here is the website I have used since being in Canada. They do nice gift wrapping and the delivery is reliable.

http://www.whisky-online.com/

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Okay it has to be said. A hooker?

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Can that be arranged online and will it cost less than $100?

I just found a rather good gift basket, full of things he would mostly like. Then discovered they don't do international delivery. :(

Re: Gifts from abroad
 

how about a big fat STUFF ALL !!! He obviously doesnt appreciate the effort youve made before so dont get him anything....simple and its also damn cheap on p+p :thumbsup::thumbsup:

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Alternatively she could send me a bottle of whiskey, and I could fail to send a letter to her Dad saying how nice she is?

Its potentially win-win, she feels no guilt, having done the right thing, and he gets what he deserves...:unsure: