Difficult Gifts For A Grandfather
January 14, 2011 9:28 PM Subscribe
DifficultGiftFilter: I need to get a (very) late Hanukkah gift for my tech-savvy grandfather. The problem is, what do you get for someone who loves tech but buys themselves new electronic toys every week and is done with them in two?
I need to get my grandfather a late Hanukkah gift. I've been looking for one for a while, and well, work and life happened and it kept getting pushed back. So now its almost February and he had gotten me an iPad and I still haven't gotten him anything. Am I a bad grandson? Probably. But really he's just impossible to get gifts for.
Some background on the recipient. My grandfather is in his eighties, although his health is fairly good. He still has his mental facilities fully intact, is still able to drive himself, etc. However he does not have the manual dexterity he used to, so gifts that require quick or precise movements are not great (I got him an RC helicopter one year he never used).
Money is not a concern in his life and thus he buys himself new gadgets fairly often just for the novelty of them. Oftentimes he doesn't even learn how to use the majority of their functionality. Case in point, he has several (as in more than two) GPS units mounted inside his car. He carries two smart phones (with their own plans) with him at all times, but barely knows how to use the different features on them (although he can text). He keeps buying all these gadgets, and then gets bored with them in short order and places them on a bed in his house to wait for the next time I visit at which point he asks if I want them. Frequently I find gadgets on there that were given to him as past gifts that he has grown bored with.
When I ask him what he wants he says nothing and when I press he says "tech support" which I've always been more than happy to give him. In fact for his birthday last year I set him up with a remote access login so I can access his machine directly when he needs help.
But I know he likes the gifts, even if he gets bored with them. So what do you get for the man who wants nothing, enjoys gadgets, and regifts them to the giver shortly after receiving them?
I should also add that he seems to enjoy gadgets that he can show off to his friends at the club to say "my grandson got me this." One example was a quirky watch I got him. He also has an LED belt buckle (yes, yes he does). So picture a tech-savvy (but dated) and quirky elderly man who doesn't want for much in life. What the hell do you get him?
And please don't suggest mushy emotional gifts. They are fine if they are in the context of some tech gadget (previously got him a photo keychain and a digital frame which he enjoyed) but he likes "toys" as he puts it.
Hivemind, link away.
P.S. I'm available to answer any questions you may have and will be checking this thread regularly.
I need to get my grandfather a late Hanukkah gift. I've been looking for one for a while, and well, work and life happened and it kept getting pushed back. So now its almost February and he had gotten me an iPad and I still haven't gotten him anything. Am I a bad grandson? Probably. But really he's just impossible to get gifts for.
Some background on the recipient. My grandfather is in his eighties, although his health is fairly good. He still has his mental facilities fully intact, is still able to drive himself, etc. However he does not have the manual dexterity he used to, so gifts that require quick or precise movements are not great (I got him an RC helicopter one year he never used).
Money is not a concern in his life and thus he buys himself new gadgets fairly often just for the novelty of them. Oftentimes he doesn't even learn how to use the majority of their functionality. Case in point, he has several (as in more than two) GPS units mounted inside his car. He carries two smart phones (with their own plans) with him at all times, but barely knows how to use the different features on them (although he can text). He keeps buying all these gadgets, and then gets bored with them in short order and places them on a bed in his house to wait for the next time I visit at which point he asks if I want them. Frequently I find gadgets on there that were given to him as past gifts that he has grown bored with.
When I ask him what he wants he says nothing and when I press he says "tech support" which I've always been more than happy to give him. In fact for his birthday last year I set him up with a remote access login so I can access his machine directly when he needs help.
But I know he likes the gifts, even if he gets bored with them. So what do you get for the man who wants nothing, enjoys gadgets, and regifts them to the giver shortly after receiving them?
I should also add that he seems to enjoy gadgets that he can show off to his friends at the club to say "my grandson got me this." One example was a quirky watch I got him. He also has an LED belt buckle (yes, yes he does). So picture a tech-savvy (but dated) and quirky elderly man who doesn't want for much in life. What the hell do you get him?
And please don't suggest mushy emotional gifts. They are fine if they are in the context of some tech gadget (previously got him a photo keychain and a digital frame which he enjoyed) but he likes "toys" as he puts it.
Hivemind, link away.
P.S. I'm available to answer any questions you may have and will be checking this thread regularly.
What about a tech magazine subscription? Perfect for someone with a limited attention span and a yen for the latest, greatest tech item out there.
posted by arnicae at 9:50 PM on January 14, 2011
posted by arnicae at 9:50 PM on January 14, 2011
So what do you get for the man who . . . enjoys gadgets, and regifts them to the giver shortly after receiving them?
Would it be tactless to suggest you get him something that you want that you know he'll also get a kick out of, since it is likely to come back to you sooner or later? How about a digital microscope (ok, yes, I want this) that he could use to scrutinize everything around the house for a few weeks before he gets bored with it. Or an iPhone projector?
Really I wonder if the unspoken thing when he mentions "tech support" is that he would love a techie gift that he can play with you with. So many get something that you totally get a kick out of, too, and then budget some extra time to hang out together and mess with it?
posted by arnicae at 9:55 PM on January 14, 2011
Would it be tactless to suggest you get him something that you want that you know he'll also get a kick out of, since it is likely to come back to you sooner or later? How about a digital microscope (ok, yes, I want this) that he could use to scrutinize everything around the house for a few weeks before he gets bored with it. Or an iPhone projector?
Really I wonder if the unspoken thing when he mentions "tech support" is that he would love a techie gift that he can play with you with. So many get something that you totally get a kick out of, too, and then budget some extra time to hang out together and mess with it?
posted by arnicae at 9:55 PM on January 14, 2011
What about a year of One To One at your nearest Apple store? It's $99 and technically you're 'sposed to only be able to purchase it at the same time you purchase a computer, but you might be able to swing it with a baseline iPad and then he'd have the "tech support" and personal training he might be desiring (if, you know, your grandpa is an Apple guy).
It might also be fun for him to take some courses through Lynda.com, an online software tutorial service that has all sorts of great subscription offers going on right now.
Then there's always video games, which yield slightly longer terms of use than the average tech gadget. :)
posted by patronuscharms at 9:57 PM on January 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
It might also be fun for him to take some courses through Lynda.com, an online software tutorial service that has all sorts of great subscription offers going on right now.
Then there's always video games, which yield slightly longer terms of use than the average tech gadget. :)
posted by patronuscharms at 9:57 PM on January 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Aren't there some games that you can play with him, sort of like people used to play chess through the mail? Maybe something like that where there would be some extra involvement with you. I know there was a question recently about those sorts of games here on askmefi, one was a word game and one was chess. Especially if you could do it on the phone...he could be like "Oh, my grandson and I are playing this game, help me think of a word". I'm not very tech-savy but, yeah, things that give him more contact with you are probably good.
Make sure he knows how to open photos and send him photo of you and pretty girls waving at him once in awhile too, it will make his day.
posted by BoscosMom at 10:41 PM on January 14, 2011
Make sure he knows how to open photos and send him photo of you and pretty girls waving at him once in awhile too, it will make his day.
posted by BoscosMom at 10:41 PM on January 14, 2011
nixie tube clock? (google it for other stores/models) crosses the line between gadget and art...
posted by sexyrobot at 10:41 PM on January 14, 2011
posted by sexyrobot at 10:41 PM on January 14, 2011
2nding ThinkGeek. From your description - maybe he would get a kick out of the wi-fi detector cap or the Grassy Lawn charging station?
posted by metahawk at 10:47 PM on January 14, 2011
posted by metahawk at 10:47 PM on January 14, 2011
Response by poster: Keep the suggestions coming guys, you're on the right track.
Re: thinkgeek...I swear I've looked at every product on that site and can't find a single one that I think he would be interested in. I know, a lot of it is personal taste and it is near impossible to convey that, but again, you're on the right track, so keep the links coming!
posted by Elminster24 at 11:23 PM on January 14, 2011
Re: thinkgeek...I swear I've looked at every product on that site and can't find a single one that I think he would be interested in. I know, a lot of it is personal taste and it is near impossible to convey that, but again, you're on the right track, so keep the links coming!
posted by Elminster24 at 11:23 PM on January 14, 2011
Something techy that you can do together?
- go play with toys in big field
- fly a kite somewhere
- attend an air show together
- some kind of flight simulator
- visit to some kind of navy warship in your area
- you could schedule a few hours to pre-empively go over there and check on his system: how is his printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.?
- does he want to learn how to scan his photos for posterity and to share with others
And...
- 23&me - genetic testing and genealogy fun!
posted by barnone at 11:25 PM on January 14, 2011
- go play with toys in big field
- fly a kite somewhere
- attend an air show together
- some kind of flight simulator
- visit to some kind of navy warship in your area
- you could schedule a few hours to pre-empively go over there and check on his system: how is his printer, keyboard, mouse, etc.?
- does he want to learn how to scan his photos for posterity and to share with others
And...
- 23&me - genetic testing and genealogy fun!
posted by barnone at 11:25 PM on January 14, 2011
If he's into computers, he might be interested in learning how they work. How 'bout buying two copies of _Godel, Escher, Bach_ and working thru it with him?
watch and discuss Tim Hunkin's tv series _Secret Life of Machines_. To see if you like it, i'd suggest you start with the FAX machine episode:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/SLOM/index.html
A sterling engine? Also avail. lots of places, such as: http://www.amazon.com/1022-Twin-Flywheel-Stirling-Engine/dp/B003HEX5ZS
A steam engine? Available many places, such as http://www.ministeam.com/
Does he know how to use wikipedia? Show him some article that may interest him, such as his favorite obscure comedian, author, whatever. Here's a guess at something an 80 yr old Hanukkah celebrant might like: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Samuel_Reshevsky_versus_the_World.JPG
Does he know how to use youtube? Show him some video that may interest him, such as his favorite obscure comedian or author. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPfG3IE_yNU&playnext=1&list=PL95557B33073DDFAC&index=10
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JYJAaeHwIo&feature=related
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVc1oJ8e4Y
A Gumstix or Arduino?
Does he know how to use archive.org? Here's an episode of _The Goldbergs_
http://www.archive.org/details/Goldbergs_3
An r/c helicopter didn't take... how 'bout a r/c sail boat? or r/c submarine? the 2" one for the aquarium?
An aquarium?
A train set?
One of those new fangled laser themometers?
A micrometer?
A gift certificate to a pawn shop in the worst part of town?
A capsela hydrolic kit?
A rokenbok r/c skiptrack? http://www.amazon.com/Rokenbok-R-C-Skip-Track/dp/B00000IROX/ref=pd_sim_t_4
posted by at at 12:33 AM on January 15, 2011
watch and discuss Tim Hunkin's tv series _Secret Life of Machines_. To see if you like it, i'd suggest you start with the FAX machine episode:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/SLOM/index.html
A sterling engine? Also avail. lots of places, such as: http://www.amazon.com/1022-Twin-Flywheel-Stirling-Engine/dp/B003HEX5ZS
A steam engine? Available many places, such as http://www.ministeam.com/
Does he know how to use wikipedia? Show him some article that may interest him, such as his favorite obscure comedian, author, whatever. Here's a guess at something an 80 yr old Hanukkah celebrant might like: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Samuel_Reshevsky_versus_the_World.JPG
Does he know how to use youtube? Show him some video that may interest him, such as his favorite obscure comedian or author. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPfG3IE_yNU&playnext=1&list=PL95557B33073DDFAC&index=10
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JYJAaeHwIo&feature=related
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVc1oJ8e4Y
A Gumstix or Arduino?
Does he know how to use archive.org? Here's an episode of _The Goldbergs_
http://www.archive.org/details/Goldbergs_3
An r/c helicopter didn't take... how 'bout a r/c sail boat? or r/c submarine? the 2" one for the aquarium?
An aquarium?
A train set?
One of those new fangled laser themometers?
A micrometer?
A gift certificate to a pawn shop in the worst part of town?
A capsela hydrolic kit?
A rokenbok r/c skiptrack? http://www.amazon.com/Rokenbok-R-C-Skip-Track/dp/B00000IROX/ref=pd_sim_t_4
posted by at at 12:33 AM on January 15, 2011
at: "If he's into computers, he might be interested in learning how they work. How 'bout buying two copies of _Godel, Escher, Bach_ and working thru it with him?"
Oh god, this is brilliant. Would that the grandpa of mine who was more book-learning-educated were still alive to do this. Yes.
posted by notsnot at 5:05 AM on January 15, 2011
Oh god, this is brilliant. Would that the grandpa of mine who was more book-learning-educated were still alive to do this. Yes.
posted by notsnot at 5:05 AM on January 15, 2011
Has he discovered "regulated" LED flashlights ?
These have an electronic circuit between the battery and bulb so that the light output is maintained at a relatively constant level as the battery drains down.
Typically the output level of models running on 1 or 2 AA's can be toggled from very low to much brighter than the traditional double D flashlight. Suggest models using A or AA batteries (rechargeables are fine) vs. specialty batteries. Depending on the power output and complexity, these can be had from, say, $40.00 to several hundred.
A little googling will reveal many sources and models. I have a quark aa2 "tactical" from here, which I carry around like a 7 year old with a new toy even though I'm closer in age to your granddad. Especially for old eyes, handy for peering into the dark recesses of a closet and not tripping in the driveway.
posted by Kevin S at 5:23 AM on January 15, 2011
These have an electronic circuit between the battery and bulb so that the light output is maintained at a relatively constant level as the battery drains down.
Typically the output level of models running on 1 or 2 AA's can be toggled from very low to much brighter than the traditional double D flashlight. Suggest models using A or AA batteries (rechargeables are fine) vs. specialty batteries. Depending on the power output and complexity, these can be had from, say, $40.00 to several hundred.
A little googling will reveal many sources and models. I have a quark aa2 "tactical" from here, which I carry around like a 7 year old with a new toy even though I'm closer in age to your granddad. Especially for old eyes, handy for peering into the dark recesses of a closet and not tripping in the driveway.
posted by Kevin S at 5:23 AM on January 15, 2011
Something from Hammacher Schlemmer or Edmund Scientific, perhaps?
posted by oceano at 8:18 AM on January 15, 2011
posted by oceano at 8:18 AM on January 15, 2011
Response by poster: Great list--a couple other things to note. We live several states away from each other and do not get to visit that frequently. Also, he built some of the first computers in his garage (a kit computer) so he is definitely familiar with how they work.
posted by Elminster24 at 9:49 AM on January 15, 2011
posted by Elminster24 at 9:49 AM on January 15, 2011
Hexbug is a line of little robotic bug-shaped toys. They have ones that go around on their own, changing direction in response to barriers or sounds. They have some that are remote controlled. They eat through batteries, so it makes sense to get a spare set of batteries. The company also sells modular racing "tracks" for them. Silly and fun.
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:24 PM on January 17, 2011
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:24 PM on January 17, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Another place to try for that sort of quirky electronic gift is Hong Kong based online shops, which for some reason always seem to have free shipping. I use Dealextreme.
posted by lollusc at 9:44 PM on January 14, 2011 [1 favorite]