I have to get him something.
And before you say it; I do spend time with him and do all I can for him.
When my grandmother was in her 80s, she said she could always use postage stamps - she had mobility issues and could not just pop out to the Post Office to get them. She also went through bottle after bottle of body lotion - dry skin is a big issue.
Just a thought from someone whom discovered that little bit of humanity almost too late to mean anything to a dear one, now gone.
Merry Christmas.
Does he live on his own? If so, maybe some boxed fruit from one of the vendors like Harry & David or Indian River? New sheets, rug or something that seems to be worn out. If not on his own, maybe a food treat he enjoys like special candy, cashews, along that line. Subscription to a magazine... ?
If living alone, preparing some home-cooked meals in individual serving size to put in the freezer.
Is there some treat he likes but wouldn’t buy for himself (e.g., does he drink the cheapo wine but prefers something nicer)?
Depending on the family situation, just about anything to remind him of family and to make them feel closer, whether it be a DVD of old home movies, scrapbooked pictures of the family highlights for the year-could cover the extended family if need be. Or a group picture in a nice frame.
If he goes out with friends to the coffeeshop or local restaurant, a gift card.
Make some homemade gift certificates for things, even if it might be things you would do for him anyway....trip to the grocery, wash his car, do handy-type jobs around the place. That way he can redeem them and not feel like he’s imposing on you.
My siblings all have everything they need, so I was always struggling with what to get them..... especially since we didn’t have a lot of money to throw around. I started making things for Christmas. One year it was a fun jam, another cookie boxes (the box is the cookie.... decorated beautifully) filled with lovely chocolates. Another year I made spiced and candied nuts of various sorts.
After many years of this, my sister told me she was making something for everyone.... since I always had such cool gifts. Boy was I surprised!
This year? Spiced blueberry maple pecan conserve.
Mighty Mites have an inspirational story wrapped around high school football set in 1930s Texas.
How about books of stamps — if he writes letters or notes. Or anything he won’t have to search for, packs of pens, favorite candy, etc.
You could fix him up a gift basket with his favorite things inside....coffee, food, snacks, etc....maybe include a personalized coffee mug. You can go to a Michael’s store and get a basket, ribbon, and shrink wrap.
If it’s any comfort, I have a tough one, too——my father-in-law (hubby’s stepfather). He’s a type A personality, a business owner, and he has only two interests: work, and working out. Nothing else, period. No movies, books, or anything else need apply. Sheesh.
Does he love snacks? Most 89 year olds do. Get a basket with nuts, small snacks he loves, few fruits etc. My 83yo loves that gift.
a transistor radio.
Put together a photobook for him -— these guys do a good job - http://www.mypublisher.com/
I got prints of old time Texas scenes for my mother during her last years, one was of a country church she had attended, another was a street scene of Dublin, TX and she recognized some of the stores in the picture. “Oh, we used to go to that drug store for ice cream!” She was delighted by them.
The artist’s name is George Boutwell, IIRC. He specializes in scenes of Texas and he has a website.
Another thing my mother enjoyed was old country western music by Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline and others. Her hearing was poor but she could close her eyes and remember when those songs were new.
maybe he has a bunch of old 8mm home movies that could be converted to dvd?
Make him something good to eat. His favorite.
Do an IOU meal for him or chore (like clean the house or his car-something important to him but hard for him to do) where he can call and you fulfill the promise. Or and make and “I owe you” for his favorite card game, or whatever.
Make it a gift of your time and attention instead of material.