Gift for FIL 70th Birthday?

[LWJ]

Hello,

My FIL has the financial ability to purchase almost anything he desires. He has an extensive car collection that he does not wrench on. He also enjoys hiking, white tea, red wine. He is also very sentimental. He has been very generous with my family and with a milestone B-day, we would like to recognise and reciprocate. He is also married so the hookers and blow are probably not going to fly.

I have offered to repair some of his cars but he politely declined. Any thoughts? I am coming up with nothing!

Thank you,
Larry

[herr_oberst]

It gets tough when they get older and have it all!

When my dad turned 75, all five of us kids went to the bank and got 75 brand new 1 dollar bills each. Then, I designed a paper band commemorating the big day, then all five of the bundles were wrapped with xeroxed copies of the band. That was the gift, and each of us presented them to him individually. I don't know if it was tacky and tasteless or not, but he liked it and he had 375 bucks to play with!

Good luck!

[J P Stein]

Hay, I turn 70 next July.
Hold on to the hookers & blow till then, K?
Lemme' worry about the Mann Act.

[Steve Viegas]

How about a rare bottle of wine from his birth year. Will be expensive, and will be hard to find, perhaps something he would not do himself. 1944 vintage wine, 1944 vintage port, 70th birthday, 70th anniversary gifts, 70th birthday gifts, 70th gift, Platinum wedding gift
as an example

[Seahawk]

Is he tech savvy?

Any hobbies, what's his background, etc.

When my father turned 70, 14 years ago, I got him a laptop and a fake ponytail for his motor cycle helmet.

He had an old desktop and loved the laptop (my sisters and me pitched in for a replacement when he turned 80). He also rides his old Harley most days, so he still puts on the ponytail (he is as bald a a billiard table) every time he rides. Loves it.

Do some homework on your FIL, school allegiance, any military service, clubs, etc. The old guys all protest about gifts right up to the moment they know you've thought it through.

[LWJ]

Outstanding direction! Thank you Gents!

[john70t]

For his 70th, I took my father up on a B-17 flight, despite his acrophobia. What his uncle flew in the war.
It was also a selfish gift.
[That went over well.]

Pops got a giant card made from foam poster board, using a grandiose life re-enactment of his life history with picture cut-outs from magazines.
It had quite a bit of humerus razz to it.
For example:
"X was born in a quiet small town" (baby screaming)(droopy parents)(crowded street)(pic of superman)
"As a child he was the most well mannered."(kids doing something wild or naughty)
"He was always the best student in class"(kid sleeping)
etc. you get the idea.
[That went over well.]

Pops also got a very small cake with 70 candles.
Yes our family is weird.
[That didn't go over so well, at first.]

Maybe pic his wife's brain for the quiet ideas:
What did he like? Artists? Collectables?
What did he talk about doing, but never did?
What does he complain about and how can it be fixed?
Who would he want to see? Old friends? A special type of place? A celebrity?
Soothing personal gift? Spa treatment? Massage chair?

Most of the stuff he probably liked in his youth we've probably never heard of.

[Chocaholic]

Probably has one he likes, but if not, my sister and I split the cost of a nice swiss watch (Tudor) that he's worn every day of his life since he got it 15 years ago (he's 85 now).

Depending on your financial resources, can spend from $2k for a nice Tag, $4k for a Tudor, $6k+ for an Omega, $9k+ for a Rolex, $15k+ for a Panerai or $130k for a Patek. Or anything in between.

Just a thought.

[LWJ]

Nice thoughts! John70t has some great ones. On the watch? His income is significantly above mine. If he wanted a watch, he would have bought X years ago. This is sort of what makes this a challenge. I did check out 1944 wine which is a killer idea. Mostly Ports, which aren't his game. Great input however. Thank you all!
Larry

[futuresoptions]

iPod touch loaded with all of his favorite music and voice memos from all his kids and grandchildren.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Nice thoughts! If he wanted a watch, he would have bought X years ago. This is sort of what makes this a challenge. . Thank you all!
Larry

Understand, but really...that could apply to anything you come up with. Buying yourself a (fill in the blank) is a lot different than receiving one as an enduring gift selected for you by people that love you.

Just sayin'.

[LWJ]

Good point Mike.

[Baz]

Hello Larry - my suggestion would be to go the edible route....

I mean who doesn't like Macadamia Nuts?

You could contact Mauna Loa and ask about a variety pack. Tell them about the occasion - they would probably hook you up.

Then there's Apple Sauce and Motts!

Power Bars!

And don't forget the pickles!

You could also get him a nice Ponytail Palm....find a local garden center - make sure it's in a nice pot. Something like that he will have around to remind him of this occasion and your thoughtfulness....



PS - Look - there's also a nice garden bench in that photo......another great idea...(to go with the Ponytail Palm he's getting!)

Good luck....and tell him Baz said Happy Bark Day!

[mikesride]

For my FIL's last birthday I took him out fishing all day in the boat then we stopped off at a small town dirt track to catch the evening races. He still talks about it nine months later. When you have everything you need sometimes its just the gift of time or company that makes the biggest impact.
Sounds like a great guy I hope you come up with something meaningful to you both.

[LWJ]

Here is why I appreciate you fellas:

Dirt track racing!
Ponytail Palm!
Ponytail for Helmet!
Mac Nuts!

Creative across the board. Great ideas. Exactly what I needed.

Larry

[GH85Carrera]

No doubt the best gift you can give him is your time.

I wish I could go hang out with my dad. He too had everything he wanted or needed. If he saw any item he wanted he just bought it. The only thing he wanted was more family time.

[bell]

Does he play golf? Get him an outing with a pro

[vash]

i think he would love time with family and friends.

maybe fly in a close buddy he hasnt seen and have him show up at some dinner party..?

that is what i would want if i am 70..

[porsche4life]

Fishing is a good idea, but take it a step farther. Is there a local lake known for big fish? Hire a guide and take him out. The guide worries about finding the fish and dealing with gear. You sit back, have a few beers and hopefully catch some big ones!

[Baz]

Take him to a Bamboo Farm. Let him pick out a NICE Bamboo for his garden.

May the ZEN be with you both!