Gift advice for my Dad's birthday
May 23, 2024 9:28 AM
You're a retired guy in your 70s. Your interests are travel, golfing, music (mostly top 40), movies, and wine. You watch a lot of sports and finance news. You're a big fan of tech and gadgets. You like reading, but golf-related books have been your standard birthday/Father's Day present since your kids were toddlers and are a little played out. What do you want for your birthday from your now 30-something child?
Dad's favorite gifts from me in the past have definitely been the tech-y ones. He constantly tells me how much he uses his bluetooth earbuds and smartwatch stand that I got him for past birthdays.
We're celebrating his birthday on a trip to the beach so bonus points if the gift is something that could be usable on a relaxing beach vacation.
Dad's favorite gifts from me in the past have definitely been the tech-y ones. He constantly tells me how much he uses his bluetooth earbuds and smartwatch stand that I got him for past birthdays.
We're celebrating his birthday on a trip to the beach so bonus points if the gift is something that could be usable on a relaxing beach vacation.
Apparently, there are gadgets that can analyze your golf swing.
posted by demi-octopus at 9:38 AM on May 23
posted by demi-octopus at 9:38 AM on May 23
My dad was thrilled when I gave him binoculars for his 70-something birthday. Binoculars are fun at the beach for looking out at the horizon for ships and whatnot.
posted by Pineapplicious at 9:46 AM on May 23
posted by Pineapplicious at 9:46 AM on May 23
Could you get him a tee time at the nicest golf course near the beach you are going to?
posted by ReluctantViking at 9:48 AM on May 23
posted by ReluctantViking at 9:48 AM on May 23
Experiences for a 70 year old seem better than things. Can you get him a local wine tour (or one local to the beach)?
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:49 AM on May 23
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:49 AM on May 23
Would he have any interest in a portable printer? This HP model will print 2"x3" photos from your smartphone.
How about a mini drone? Drones seem fairly dad-coded, in general.
posted by little mouth at 9:52 AM on May 23
How about a mini drone? Drones seem fairly dad-coded, in general.
posted by little mouth at 9:52 AM on May 23
Sean beat me to it!
How about the two of you go on a wine tasting or tour together? Gift plus time together equals memories for both of you.
posted by kyraU2 at 9:54 AM on May 23
How about the two of you go on a wine tasting or tour together? Gift plus time together equals memories for both of you.
posted by kyraU2 at 9:54 AM on May 23
What about an e-reader? Helps a lot with reading as eyes age (you can easily change fonts for larger/easier to read), most can also play audiobooks, and they range from as techy to as low-tech as a person might want.
posted by invincible summer at 9:57 AM on May 23
posted by invincible summer at 9:57 AM on May 23
Definitely an experience. Dunno what the structure of your lives and family are like, but I'd lead with a dinner out for just the two of you. Might include a movie or a play or a concert or a scenic drive or whatever fits. Just the two of you.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:06 AM on May 23
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:06 AM on May 23
As I get older, I value tech which gives my aging sight a boost.
Along the lines of what Pineapplicious mentioned: things like a LCD digital microscope, or a smartphone microscope/telescope lens adapter, a spotting scope with phone lens adapter, magnifying lamp, pocket magnifiers, clip-on magnifiers, etc.
On the experiences side, planning out a road trip for the two of you could be an awesome memory builder! Spending quality time with an adult son - mostly just the two of you - can be super.
posted by tronec at 10:42 AM on May 23
Along the lines of what Pineapplicious mentioned: things like a LCD digital microscope, or a smartphone microscope/telescope lens adapter, a spotting scope with phone lens adapter, magnifying lamp, pocket magnifiers, clip-on magnifiers, etc.
On the experiences side, planning out a road trip for the two of you could be an awesome memory builder! Spending quality time with an adult son - mostly just the two of you - can be super.
posted by tronec at 10:42 AM on May 23
Write him a letter/note telling him how much he has meant to you over the years. Give specific examples.
Other than the fact that I am in my 60s, I hold many of the same interests. But, I am at a point in my life where I am trying to get rid of things, not acquire more. I am very tech oriented, I root my Android phones, etc. I would not like a tech gadget unless consulted with first. I know all the new gadgets. I would get it myself if I thought it something I would want.
That is why I would get him something intangible that values his contribution to the family, to your upbringing, to his continued love and support, and his contributions to the world. Recently, one of my late 20s kids told me how much my volunteer work at a specific organization meant to them as a leading by example. It made the years of service and even missing some family time all worth it. Another child told me how much it meant to them that I coached all their basketball and soccer teams. How proud they were in front of their friends with how I treated all the players the same. (If you come to practice and don't goof around, you WILL get playing time in the games no matter your talent level.)
I hope you have told your dad these sorts of things all along, but a good several page letter detailing how much he has meant to you and how he has influenced you will make his birthday one to remember forever. (The only issue is what you do next year to follow-up)
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:05 AM on May 23
Other than the fact that I am in my 60s, I hold many of the same interests. But, I am at a point in my life where I am trying to get rid of things, not acquire more. I am very tech oriented, I root my Android phones, etc. I would not like a tech gadget unless consulted with first. I know all the new gadgets. I would get it myself if I thought it something I would want.
That is why I would get him something intangible that values his contribution to the family, to your upbringing, to his continued love and support, and his contributions to the world. Recently, one of my late 20s kids told me how much my volunteer work at a specific organization meant to them as a leading by example. It made the years of service and even missing some family time all worth it. Another child told me how much it meant to them that I coached all their basketball and soccer teams. How proud they were in front of their friends with how I treated all the players the same. (If you come to practice and don't goof around, you WILL get playing time in the games no matter your talent level.)
I hope you have told your dad these sorts of things all along, but a good several page letter detailing how much he has meant to you and how he has influenced you will make his birthday one to remember forever. (The only issue is what you do next year to follow-up)
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:05 AM on May 23
Can you golf together ?
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:08 AM on May 23
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:08 AM on May 23
Having just read the post about stuff on the blue, consumables seem the way to go. And the wine suggestions are excellent, especially the wine tasting.
posted by bluesky43 at 11:10 AM on May 23
posted by bluesky43 at 11:10 AM on May 23
Concert tickets? Seeing Taylor Swift with your top-40-loving dad would be an experience!
posted by shadygrove at 11:23 AM on May 23
posted by shadygrove at 11:23 AM on May 23
I want to say that it was phunniemee who gave the best dad gift advice I have ever heard: find something that your dad uses every day and then buy him the same thing, but in a nicer quality than he would ever buy for himself.
I'm a Dad now too and I absolutely promise you this is a winning formula.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:52 AM on May 23
I'm a Dad now too and I absolutely promise you this is a winning formula.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:52 AM on May 23
An experience would be my suggestion. It doesn’t have to be around your beach trip, if travel and logistics permit. It could take place some months later. Sports tickets could be good? Some of my favourite time I spend with my dad is when we go to live sports matches.
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 12:18 PM on May 23
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 12:18 PM on May 23
the best dad gift advice I have ever heard: find something that your dad uses every day and then buy him the same thing, but in a nicer quality than he would ever buy for himself.
Emphatically seconding this, and not just for dads, it's a guaranteed win for gifting to people you've been close to for many decades. A large bag of high-end coffee beans had my mum in raptures a few years back, they were carefully rationed out over months and sparked more joy than any half-dozen books, bags, scarves or bottles I'd given her for years prior.
posted by protorp at 12:48 PM on May 23
Emphatically seconding this, and not just for dads, it's a guaranteed win for gifting to people you've been close to for many decades. A large bag of high-end coffee beans had my mum in raptures a few years back, they were carefully rationed out over months and sparked more joy than any half-dozen books, bags, scarves or bottles I'd given her for years prior.
posted by protorp at 12:48 PM on May 23
nice sunglasses for the beach trip? a fancy hat or pair of sandals?
posted by spamandkimchi at 1:04 PM on May 23
posted by spamandkimchi at 1:04 PM on May 23
What about a digital photo frame that cycles through pics?
Range finder for golfing.
Couple lessons with a golf pro.
Weather station if he doesn't have one - gadgety and useful!
posted by dpx.mfx at 1:26 PM on May 23
Range finder for golfing.
Couple lessons with a golf pro.
Weather station if he doesn't have one - gadgety and useful!
posted by dpx.mfx at 1:26 PM on May 23
Does your dad have an e-reader? I've seen more and more people using some sort of stand and remote that turns pages to hold an e-reader while they read in bed. If he doesn't have an e-reader you could gift him one along with the stand and remote.
posted by MadMadam at 2:11 PM on May 23
posted by MadMadam at 2:11 PM on May 23
I wish Ember mugs kept coffee hot all day but it's really between one and two hours until it needs to be recharged. I love mine, but it's something to keep in mind when considering one as a gift. It works great for some people, but others might get more out of a well-insulated travel mug.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 2:38 PM on May 23
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 2:38 PM on May 23
Seconding a weather station. My 70 something dad was happy with his.
posted by backwards guitar at 7:01 PM on May 23
posted by backwards guitar at 7:01 PM on May 23
A golf shirt from one of the famous courses such as Pebble Beach.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:34 AM on May 24
posted by SemiSalt at 4:34 AM on May 24
I got the mini printer! (A really nice insulated mug was his Christmas present last year.) I like all the ideas about experiences and will keep them in mind for Father's Day, which is also around the corner.
posted by capricorn at 11:11 AM on May 24
posted by capricorn at 11:11 AM on May 24
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posted by AlexiaSky at 9:37 AM on May 23