Author Topic: Any Ideas On What To Get A Soon To Be 84yr old Dad For His B'Day? (Read 4461 times)

bill440cars · « **on:** July 12, 2009, 05:38:00 AM »

My Dad's birthday is the 16th of July and I WANT to get him something (besides the S & S Team's heads on a platter

). I need some input on this, because I am at a loss.

Later on, Bill

bert96 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2009, 07:02:05 AM »

I already have trouble to find something for my dad(68 years old) so don't count on me

....sorry

fishhead · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2009, 07:57:25 AM »

I'm not much help on this one, but sometimes the best gifts take alot of though or none at all. (I did say I wouldn't be much help on this one).

For example, a few years ago, My mom bought me a "Smokey The Bear" teddy bear. I know it sounds really stupid, but that was the most memorable gift I have received in a long time.

You see many years ago (when I was about 6 yrs old), my original "Smokey" fell off the back of my bicycle and was lost forever. Smokey was eventually forgotten, but more than 35 yrs later, I lit up like a little kid when I got my "New" Smokey the Bear.

Think about what would/could make him light up like a little kid. It doesnt have to be expensive. Ask Dad's friends,etc. about a gift. Search the recesses of your mind for a meaningful gift.

754 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:01:32 PM »

Bill try to take him to a Vintage Bike meet, he would love it..

Failing be able to do that, My Dad used to love the Vintage Tractor Antique Power meets, (most folks that ever worked/lived on a farm do)

It will take him back to a simpler happier time..

If you can find a nearby collector of Vintage American bikes, explain what you are doing, perhaps they could arrange a "private tour" for him, he would cherish it, I am thinking.

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:15:42 PM »

Quote from: bert96 on July 12, 2009, 07:02:05 AM

I already have trouble to find something for my dad(68 years old) so don't count on me ....sorry

I hear ya, me too.

bill440cars · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:18:15 PM »

Quote from: fishhead on July 12, 2009, 07:57:25 AM

I'm not much help on this one, but sometimes the best gifts take alot of though or none at all. (I did say I wouldn't be much help on this one).

For example, a few years ago, My mom bought me a "Smokey The Bear" teddy bear. I know it sounds really stupid, but that was the most memorable gift I have received in a long time.

You see many years ago (when I was about 6 yrs old), my original "Smokey" fell off the back of my bicycle and was lost forever. Smokey was eventually forgotten, but more than 35 yrs later, I lit up like a little kid when I got my "New" Smokey the Bear.

Think about what would/could make him light up like a little kid. It doesnt have to be expensive. Ask Dad's friends,etc. about a gift. Search the recesses of your mind for a meaningful gift.

Not many of his old friends left. Have to put some serious thought into this.

Thanks, Bill

bill440cars · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:26:59 PM »

Quote from: 754 on July 12, 2009, 12:01:32 PM

Bill try to take him to a Vintage Bike meet, he would love it..

Failing be able to do that, My Dad used to love the Vintage Tractor Antique Power meets, (most folks that ever worked/lived on a farm do)

It will take him back to a simpler happier time..

If you can find a nearby collector of Vintage American bikes, explain what you are doing, perhaps they could arrange a "private tour" for him, he would cherish it, I am thinking.

Don't know of anything near here. I took him to a local car show the last of April and he really enjoyed it. Planning to take him to the Barber Museum but that's in Oct. I was hoping that things would be settled before his B'day and I could take him back home, in HIS van. But that won't happen that quickly. Un the meantime, I'm still looking AND thinking.

Thank you, Bill

gane · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2009, 01:58:22 PM »

Bill, No expert, But would guess best gift would be you. ask what He'd like to do.. and whenever possible be present around any of his cronnies as possible. commerate the occasion. simple pic's do nicely. more than anything, let him know youre' feelings. finding "things" for seniors is harder than one would expect. your' love and admiration on the other hand should be a sure hit. luck G

Operator · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2009, 02:13:12 PM »

Might sound funny but how about putting together a photo album of all pictures of him from as far back as you can find right up to now. It may be a good reminder that you see him not as he is now at 84, but as he was before you existed, during your life and how he always will be.

Unless he has a past that would best be forgotten of course, you wouldn't want to give someone 20 years worth of prison visitation photos.......just trying to keep things light.

Another thought, how about a gift certificate for an 85th birthday party.....keeps him optimistic about the future.

I'll just apologize in advance for what my mind does when it is left unsupervised by an adult...

malcolmgb · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2009, 02:29:45 PM »

Gane beat me to it, I was thinking a day of your undivided time too.
Start at your local Denny's which you have mentioned before he enjoys, ask him where he would like to go next, visit a motorcycle shop talk to him about modern bikes, visit a Sears Hardware store perhaps buy him a gift voucher from there browse the tools with men's talk, after recent events the break away from it all would do you BOTH good.

bill440cars · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2009, 02:47:32 PM »

Quote from: gane on July 12, 2009, 01:58:22 PM

Bill, No expert, But would guess best gift would be you. ask what He'd like to do.. and whenever possible be present around any of his cronnies as possible. commerate the occasion. simple pic's do nicely. more than anything, let him know youre' feelings. finding "things" for seniors is harder than one would expect. your' love and admiration on the other hand should be a sure hit. luck G

Quote from: malcolmgb on July 12, 2009, 02:29:45 PM

Gane beat me to it, I was thinking a day of your undivided time too.
Start at your local Denny's which you have mentioned before he enjoys, ask him where he would like to go next, visit a motorcycle shop talk to him about modern bikes, visit a Sears Hardware store perhaps buy him a gift voucher from there browse the tools with men's talk, after recent events the break away from it all would do you BOTH good.

The time deal sounds good to me. He's got 4 cousins still alive and I've planned to see each one as time permits. One lives in North Little Rock Arkansas, another lives in southern Arkansas and there are 2 in California (a brother and a sister). We need to see the one in Southern Arkansas and maybe I can set that up, be kinda short notice, but if not that one, then the one in North Little Rock. Gonna try yo get out to California sometime around September. Thanks you two! I still may look for other things to do though, in addition.

bill440cars · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2009, 02:54:07 PM »

Quote from: Operator on July 12, 2009, 02:13:12 PM

Might sound funny but how about putting together a photo album of all pictures of him from as far back as you can find right up to now. It may be a good reminder that you see him not as he is now at 84, but as he was before you existed, during your life and how he always will be.

Unless he has a past that would best be forgotten of course, you wouldn't want to give someone 20 years worth of prison visitation photos.......just trying to keep things light.

Another thought, how about a gift certificate for an 85th birthday party.....keeps him optimistic about the future.

I'll just apologize in advance for what my mind does when it is left unsupervised by an adult...

No apologies needed.

My Mom and Dad have tons of photos from way back and up til around 2000 or maybe 2001. Mom started having bouts with lung cancer in later 2001 and passed away on Feb 2002. Might just round up some of those many alblums and go through them one at a time every so often.

Thank you, Bill

bucky katt · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2009, 03:13:20 PM »

ask Sam, he's about that age isnt he?

bill440cars · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2009, 06:25:30 PM »

Quote from: bucky katt on July 12, 2009, 03:13:20 PM

ask Sam, he's about that age isnt he?

Smart alec, Sam's just a little older than I AM!

Bill

Magpie · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2009, 07:53:39 AM »

My mom just turned 83, widowed for 23 years, still living on her own with just me and my wife for family left, likes to go out for a quiet lunch and a long visit. After lunch we get her a small bottle of brandy and visit awhile at her house. Sometimes it's the simple things that count the most to her now.
Perhaps a restaurant near you has waitress with big tits as well. That should start the conversation.

Cheers,
Cliff.

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:03:19 PM »

Get him one of those digital frame thingys and stuff it full of pics. of the grandchildren ...put it on the mantle-piece and leave it on its slide-show on a 5 sec.change....he'll never turn it off , and will always refer to it when anyones in the room with him....I gave one to my 89yr old Dad !!

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2009, 08:29:35 PM »

Quote from: Spanner 1 on July 13, 2009, 08:03:19 PM

Get him one of those digital frame thingys and stuff it full of pics. of the grandchildren ...put it on the mantle-piece and leave it on its slide-show on a 5 sec.change....he'll never turn it off , and will always refer to it when anyones in the room with him....I gave one to my 89yr old Dad !!

Good idea, but bad choice of who to put in it. I've got a Daughter and David has 2 sons and 1 daughter (she was executor of his will, until she drained their bank account, left her husband with the baby, left with a black man AND was heard to say that "She was going to come into some money!"

Don't thank most of those pictures would be a good idea. They'd most likely get holes blown in them!

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2009, 11:31:43 PM »

Sorry, not interested in your drama postings, Bill, many others are....nothing but an idea for your Dad.

bill440cars · « **Reply #18 on:** July 14, 2009, 04:30:12 AM »

Quote from: Spanner 1 on July 13, 2009, 11:31:43 PM

Sorry, not interested in your drama postings, Bill, many others are....nothing but an idea for your Dad.

Nothing to apologize for, I Do appreciate your suggestion, just that I'd put different photos because of Our situation. BTW, Not intending to Dramatize anything Spanner, just that there have been alot of things going on in my life, that I'm trying to sort through. Sorry if I seem to be Dramatizing. I didn't realize that I was going to have a critic on the forum.

Take care, Bill

demon78 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 14, 2009, 09:14:08 AM »

Ok Bill as one old fart to another I know it would be difficult to tee up in a short time but getting a young female relation ( the closer to knockout the better ) to drive him around in a convertible and to diner particularly around where his contemporaries can see him, then back to a small family get together.
It would give his cronies something to natter about and him a boost as a suave older gentleman.
Bill the demon.

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2009, 02:19:22 PM »

Take him out to dinner. Preferably to have a meal that he's never had before. For example, just a couple Christmases ago I took my parents out to have a lobster and crab leg dinner. They would never spend that kind of money on themselves, and thus they had never had lobster before. They really appreciated the dinner and it was a lot of fun. I gave them (and myself) one of the greatest gifts - a memorable experience.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2009, 08:29:14 PM »

Get him a box of Xtra Large condoms.

Unless laughing too hard might hiurt him...

medic09 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 14, 2009, 09:21:02 PM »

Uh, DO remember to wish him a huge happy birthday from all of us!

If only I knew some way to make a card from us all... Anyone know how to do that?

bill440cars · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2009, 06:57:16 PM »

Quote from: medic09 on July 14, 2009, 09:21:02 PM

Uh, DO remember to wish him a huge happy birthday from all of us!

If only I knew some way to make a card from us all... Anyone know how to do that?

Oh, I will DEFINITELY do that (Wish him a Happy Birthday from ALL of you all)!

Tomorrow is the BIG day! 84 yrs old!

Thanks Medic! (and you all)

bucky katt · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2009, 10:04:18 PM »

heck yeah! big happy birthday to your dad from me, hamish and the rest of the family!

Ecosse · « **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2009, 10:36:59 PM »

a little late to the party bill. but i thought the vintage bike meet idea was good. and uncle's suggestion, or the spirit of it, is good too. we all could use the laughs from a good gag gift.

unless he thinks you're being cheap!

it's also true, that in these situations, either a gift jumps out or it's a real bugger to track down.

doesn't have to be big bucks; if it's from the heart and shows you were really thinking about him when ya got it, it'll work.

best wishes to 440cars sr.

bill440cars · « **Reply #26 on:** July 16, 2009, 02:48:37 PM »

Well folks, while I appreciate the ideas, the day has come and all I managed to do was to take him out to eat at Denney's (his favorite place to eat), along with the 2 young men that Brenda and I worked with (It will be James' B'Day tomorrow. So, the meal was for BOTH of them. I apologized to my Dad and He said that My
"Performance" in doing what I DID and AM doing for him, concerning the S & S attempts, was MORE than enough! Of course he already knows that I'm doing the best I can at getting HIM completely clear of THEM and also am trying to get him to see his Cousins, along with a trip to the Barber Museum in Oct.

DarkRider · « **Reply #27 on:** July 16, 2009, 07:10:47 PM »

Why not sneek in one of those photo displays as was mentioned before but...possably filled with Vintage Indian pics?

News:

Author Topic: Any Ideas On What To Get A Soon To Be 84yr old Dad For His B'Day? (Read 4461 times)