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my dad is 80, he has everything he needs, likely 2-3 of everything he needs.
hes not super active, apart from walking his dog. He doesn’t really have any hobbies.
im stumped as to what to get the old boy for his 80th apartment from his favourite chocolate. Thought about an experience day, but the only one that feels ok for him is hot air balloon, but in uk problematic with weather and no idea if his age will be a factor. Off road thing, he’s never once mentioned off roading. He doesn’t ride bikes :).
Any ideas ?
Or more seriously, just take him out for a nice meal and a few beers.
Does he like football, rugby or cricket?
Perhaps make him something?
Tickets to some kind of sporting event.
Theatre and a meal out? A comedy show?
Flight experience - a Lysander from Duxford, or something like that.
Weekend away in a holiday cottage to spend time with family?
London Eye and afternoon tea somewhere.
A day at Antur Stiniog. Stick him on a bike and push him off.
PS you may no longer be favourite son.
Porcelain poppy.
I bet he hasn't got a copy of Fly Fishing by JR Hartley
A nice meal somewhere. If you are near London, the original Ivy is recommended for an experience. Since he likes dog walking, something for walking if practicalities - walking shoes are a good bet as mine keep wearing out!
Was going to suggest a lapdance, but I think getting him a weekend away somewhere really nice for dog walks would be good. Not like a spa weekend, but just beautiful views, nice food, maybe a small, five ale pub with a snug.
Commission a drawing/painting of the dog and get it framed up?
A weekend away with the family, in a nice village somewhere with a decent pub/restaurant and some pleasant walks along the river
edit - Willard got there first!
MrsDoris' mum had her 80th last year - demanded we all go to Istanbul in November. But she's an odd one
Flight experience - a Lysander from Duxford, or something like that.
For my Dad's 90th we got him the fly with a Spitfire experience from Duxford. The 'with' is the key word as you fly in a Dragon Rapide (8 seater) while a Spitfire weaves around you / wing to wing. Is around 10 times cheaper than flying in a Spitfire. At the lowest budget end are Tiger Moth flights (or Dragon Rapide minus the Spitfire!).
https://www.classic-wings.co.uk/
How about eighty dogs?
Power kite obvs
Spitfire flight
Spitfire experience
Hire a rolls Royce for a weekend
Posh meal at a Michelin star restaurant
Visit the worthers original factory
Mon-Fri break at a Center Parcs outside school holidays for family, unless you have kids at school, booking a villa that allows dogs?
Thanks, some of the ideas above may not go down too well with my mum.
I do like the jr Hartley idea, that’ll make him laugh.
I’m not too good at making things and annoyingly he’s bloody good at making things.
theatre and comedy show I’ve done for them before, but it it’s a good shout, I know fek all about what’s good in theatre these days.
Weekend away in a holiday cottage to spend time with family?
Been mulling this over, but they’re getting funny about this for some reason and over worrying about their dog.
Re the painting, was trying to get the old photos of all his dogs over the years and having something commissioned, I never know how that’ll turn out.
oh and he’s no fan of football, tennis, or cricket, only in rugby is there a passable interest.
the flight experience I’ve been looking at, but I’m not sure about it for him. I’d love it, which makes me think it wouldn’t be his cup of tea.
london eye and tea in London, will just feel like a day near the office for me.
A weekend away with the family, in a nice village somewhere with a decent pub/restaurant and some pleasant walks along the river
edit - Willard got there first!
MrsDoris' mum had her 80th last year - demanded we all go to Istanbul in November. But she's an odd one
Just seen @timmys suggestion, that looks good. What’s the fly with a spitfire like ? Any good.
do like the long weekend away, river walks decent pub etc, but where ?
Just seen @timmys suggestion, that looks good. What’s the fly with a spitfire like ? Any good.
He really enjoyed it. Although the flight isn't hugely long, I seem to recall there was lots of chance to hang about near the Spitfire(s) and chat to the pilots, and you're only a few feet away when they start them up. Once you're up in the air the first you know about the Spitfire is it coming out of nowhere at full tilt and buzzing past quite close to the Rapide.
I think the biggest worry is that they'll open the voucher and see the word "Spitfire" and "Flight" and then be disappointed when they see they are not actually getting a trip in it. My Dad is now 94 and still occasionally mentions treating himself to a trip in a Spitfire, (~£3,000). I'm not convinced he has the mobility to climb in.
There's also loads to do at Duxford (pretty sure you get discounted entry for people accompanying the one having the experience). I could go and stare at the SR-71 all day. You could add on a Tiger Moth flight on the day for not very much (£60?), they are operating all day every day. If you can coordinate it, then some days at Duxford are designated "Flying Days", when they make sure some interesting stuff is flown. No extra charge for "Flying Days" (as opposed to the actual Airshow days). The last time we were there, Sally B the resident B-17 was flying (not that that was an actual "Flying Day" ).
A day driving a steam train.
A day flying Birds of Prey
Day as a zookeeper
One of the best presents I ever received was this;
Is he into motoring, I have some old Motor Sport magazines and have found an April 1962 so roughly when is was 17 and learning to drive perhaps, anyway they are obviously second hand but if you are interested PM me and I'll send you the copy. Just looked there is an article for The Skoda Octavia, fully equipped 1,089cc saloon for £629!! C
I used to get my grandma a big jar of jar boiled sweets of various flavours, all mixed together.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Going with driving a steam train, he’s been on them a few times and loved it.
anyoen here got any knowledge of whether any are best avoided, good, or really good ? There is no budget limit.
An idea of what county you are driving from might be useful for recommendations...
Posh meal at a Michelin star restaurant
Visit the worthers original factory
Or visit the Michelin factory, followed by a meal at a Worthers starred restaurant.
An idea of what county you are driving from might be useful for recommendations...
that would have been helpful
Hillingdon or Surrey.
london eye and tea in London, will just feel like a day near the office for me.
and what would it feel like to the birthday boy?
london eye and tea in London, will just feel like a day near the office for me.
and what would it feel like to the birthday boy?
I don’t know, I guess I have it down as a more of a tourist thing, rather than an experience, which is more me than him.
- Blue bell railway footplate experience. East grinstead area . So quick from Surrey.
Time.
In your shoes that's what I'd prioritise. I lost my mum recently and he's older than she was. He has no need of Stuff and I'm guessing he's unlikely to embrace Skydiving. What he'll value - and what you will value after he's gone, trust me - is time spent with loved ones. I spent as much time with mum as I could and I regret not spending more.
Book an experience by all means, the steam train sounds like a fantastic idea. But book it for the both of you / immediate family.
My mum went Skiing for the first time for her 80th and up in a glider for her 85th - she loved them both, but when you ask her what she really wants the answer is 'Time with You'.
We have busy lives and the days fly by, it is so easy to overlook the obvious - Sunday Lunch round yours, spending the afternoon with them. paying a visit to the grandkids/ great grandkids. That is where the real value lies.
There is however a video of her dancing on a table outside a nightclub and a second one of her flying in a microlight off Isola 2000 - so that was fun too.
Time.
In your shoes that's what I'd prioritise. I lost my mum recently and he's older than she was. He has no need of Stuff and I'm guessing he's unlikely to embrace Skydiving. What he'll value - and what you will value after he's gone, trust me - is time spent with loved ones. I spent as much time with mum as I could and I regret not spending more.
Book an experience by all means, the steam train sounds like a fantastic idea. But book it for the both of you / immediate family.
sorry about your mum passing, I recognise the time thing, I work a lot (like a lot here) and I rarely get round to see him. Not sure how a card with I’ll see you more often will go down, I’ll work on the wording.
might chat to him about a boys weekend, I’m not sure he’s been on one since his 20’s.
I would have booked the bluebell train experience, but I can’t get them on the phone, by email, anything. Slightly frustrating, wonder if it’s still operating.