Creative gift ideas for the man who has everything?

[Tuckervill]

I am 100% out of ideas for a gift for my father. He's active (regularly plays both golf and tennis and does bowflex), loves football and historical stuff, can't eat anything that is supposedly 'good for you' (like spinach, blueberries, nuts, whole grains, etc), and in his late 60's.

Any thoughts? I'm really desparate for ideas!

Edited to add that he lives in the opposite corner of the country from me, so gifts like dinner out or activities together are out.

What did you get your fathers, husbands, etc that isn't bike related?

Gift certificates for a massage!

Karen

[Tuckervill]

My father sent a well-thought out email last week asking that we end the tradition of giving gifts. He's in major purge mode anyway, getting rid of stuff in the house (much to the chagrin of his wife). Anything I gave him would be just another thing he would have to purge later.

So, I'm okay with that. I usually skipped giving him something for xmas, but his birthday is 1/1 so I usually got him a gift for that. I think I'll just write him a letter this year.

Karen

[Biciclista]

yes, photos and a nice letter if you can't be there.

[NoNo]

My mom and aunt were trying to figure out what to get my grandparents. I pointed out that they didn't need any more stuff and that, in fact, they (mom and my aunts) were going through the house getting rid of stuff, so don't bring more in. I said they'd probably enjoy a gift certificate to dinner somewhere, and eventually we concluded they'd really enjoy dinner with us. So we'll all be going out to dinner right after New Years.

I'm also doing the calendar thing for my parents and brother. We went to Italy this summer, so I'm using the pictures from the trip. I've also started making soap, so everyone's getting soap, plus some jams I made over the summer and bread from our favorite book. Maybe you can do the calendar and a gift certificate to a restaurant in their area. If you call, you might be able to pay over the phone and have them mail it.

[tulip]

Heifer Project
www.heifer.org

[MommyBird]

Make a charitable contribution in his honor.
Choose an organization that your father would be compassionate about.

Local children's hospital
Local food banks and shelters
Lydia Project is good if breast cancer has touched your family.
Live Strong for all cancers. Brings in the fitness element as well.
Toys for Tots
Angel Tree for the children of incarcerated parents
Samaritan's Purse delivers shoe boxes full of gifts to children around the world

This is a short list to get you started.
We try to give a special Christmas gift to at least one each per year; local, national and global.

[Tuckervill]

Tulip, thanks for mentioning Heifer.

We just sent a Hope Basket in honor of my in-laws.

Karen

[GLC1968]

Thanks for some great ideas you guys!

We've done many GC's to local restaurants and Heifer International in the past too. And a bunch of different charitible donations as well. I swear, my family has been in the 'purge mode' for the past 15 years, so we all try to get really creative with gifts. My mom just sent us a case of oranges and I LOVE it!

So, we strolled the local sporting goods store last night and I bought him an Oregon Ducks Rose Bowl golf shirt (which he will totally get a kick out of!) and that will go with something creative using the photos from the photo albums. There is one picture of me as a little girl dumping water on his head as he was lying in my kidding pool. It's always been a favorite of both of ours, so I'm going to have it turned into something (not sure what).

And lauraelmore - I'm totally bookmarking that charger for my husband for his birthday, that's a GREAT idea!