What to get my Dad for his birthday?

[EmperorNorton]

I have no idea. His 55th birthday is due on 11th of April and I simply don't know what to get him. Any suggestions?

EmperorNorton

[EmperorNorton]

Oh, come on!
What did you give your Dad for his last birthday?

EmperorNorton

[PopeJ-rod]

I actually took him out for a nice dinner. I fortunately don't live too far away, so this was an option. In the event that something of that nature is either not possible or inappropriate: you need to think about what you father does in his spare time. If he is a mechanic or likes working with his hands, I suggest going to thrift stores and/or antique stores to find an unusual tool to add to his toolkit, just make sure it is something that he would have some use for. If he collects things, say models for example, either supplies for his hobby or a nice place to store/display them. If he is more into sports, it can be even easier as there is always new/different stuff to improve his game: Lessons, equipment, and clothes. If you dad Travels frequently, you can get him something to make those long flights/ drives more comfortable, check the Wireless Store for ideas (though they have a tendency to be a bit pricey). Put some thought into what he likes and then get him some thing a little unusual.

[Doomtoy]

Considering I've never met your father, I'm a bit short of inspiration.

I, as a father, have to grit my teeth and be gracious about it whenever anyone gives me a cologne gift set, a tie, or Soap On A Rope, so I'd avoid those.

Don't suppose he's into football or NASCAR, is he? That would make gift selection remarkably easy... TONS of NASCAR carp out there...

[AZS]

There're a lot of unexpected things you could get him.
Even though its not as manly as power tools or a Nascar beer cozy, new bath towels are nice. A nice robe is a good gift.

Are there hobbies he's into? I got my dad a subscription to a carpentry magazine. And Popular Mechanics is a good catch all magazine as well. Does he travel a lot? Books on tape are nice and out of the ordinary. Or if he listens to music while working in the garage, when was the last time he got a new radio? (Is he still trying to find stations on a beat up old stereo with no CD player?)

There're a lot of options if you ignore the neck tie and cologne ideas.

Lastly, do you have any siblings nearby? Do your parents have any recent pictures of you and them? Getting a cheap professional photoshoot in a nice frame is a great gift from everyone. And not too expensive after you split the cost. :)

[webhead817]

One gift I have in mind for my folks this year is to do a small project around the house for them. Maybe ask your mum if there is some project she has been henpecking him to do for a while...then do that for him as gift.

[mattsolo]

DVD Open Range is good for Dads. That's what I got mine. That and the "Man with no Name" East Wood Trilogy.

[ahtitan]

A book is always a good option. Lots of choices if you know what he's into, and easy to wrap!

[EmperorNorton]

Thanks for your suggestions so far, but I'll have to give more details, I suppose.
My sister decided to go with him to some kind of comedy show, so going out with him isn't really an option.
He works in a bank (don't know the proper name of the job in english...) and he always says that he has no spare time at all (which is not true, but he spends most of it in front of the TV).
I thought about working on that, but I don't know how I could give him free time, really.
I'll probably go with a book on tape as he can hear it while he's in the car.
I'm open for other suggestions, though!

EmperorNorton

[EmperorNorton]

And on a side note: There are no NASCAR races in Germany. Only thing we got is Michael Schumacher.

EmperorNorton