My daughter and I used to joke about getting my mom/her grandma gifts - “Be careful what you buy Grandma, because you are probably going to inherit it”, so we always shopped with care and made sure it was something we really liked as well. Now I tell my kids the same thing. Although there is truly nothing I need, they do seem to put more thought into gifts.
It’s great that you get him a bag of “odds and ends”. These are obviously things that mean a lot to him but that he probably wouldn’t make a special trip to buy on his own. Older people also appreciate it if their kids just spend some time with them. Play a game of cards, take them for a drive to special places, maybe even endure a game of Bingo or rent a movie from their era and watch it with them. Older ones who have their home, like me, really appreciate the younger ones spending an afternoon working on the yard or changing out filters on the A/C. It’s easier to buy a gift but the giving of time means more.
An old friend and I sponteneously went into a Dollar Tree store to play the “Dollar Store Challenge”... pick any $1 item as the most ridiculous gift to give to the other person... exchange gifts outside... hilarity ensues.
I bought a tube of “Baby Butt Paste”... she bought a can of Mackerel.
I saw it on the shelf tonight when I was making dinner... still makes me smile.