You can search on this website for fun adult (no, not that kind) experiences for gifts. Not sure how much is available in your zipcode, though.
http://www.cloud9living.com/orange-county/action-and-adventure
Concert tickets. What kind of music does he like?
@thumper1. Just saw your first post about the dumpster. I figure it will take at least 10 to empty the house of his stuff, most of which has no value. The dentkids hope I survive him, because then they won’t have to deal with the stuff. Dumpster will be in the drive the day after the funeral. However, if a dumpster shows up without his consent, I will be a divorcee. Not kidding.
H is not a beer drinker, or much of any alcohol for that matter. He would also not want to have a flying lesson.
His music taste is very eclectic. Lots of stuff from the 60s and 70s, US and Europe. Mostly rock, metal, instrumental but not jazz.
He does like collecting DVDs of TV series, but I think he owns just about everything he would want.
I am thinking the sports event or gardening item is my best bet. He’s a physics prof, very literal guy.
Like the idea of focusing on experiences, rather than stuff. Wine tastings or classes, music , sports, shows or cooking experiences, if he enjoys the kitchen. I know a couple who enjoyed a few dance lessons together.
Another thought is to consider anything that may be hanging over his head and arrange for help with it: transferring photos or old videos to digital formats, snow blower or lawn mower maintenance, garage storage update, etc. I just had my car detailed inside and out after a long winter and love it.
All the best with the birthday.
Dent mom, I have a relative who is a hoarder(not my husband). I understand completely about the dumpster comment.
As a physics prof, he might like origami or puzzles.
But then that’s more “stuff.”
Does he like Sudoku? Hardly a knock-it-out-of-the-park gift, but I enjoy them.
How bout a tree? Either a real tree that he can plant in your yard or have one planted someplace else in his honor.
Buy him a star or a planet. Far enough away that you won’t have to worry about clutter.
Car detailing! Great idea. Just found a place 2 miles from our house that has door to door pickup and delivery. I will call tomorrow for a price. And then I might ask for the same for my birthday!
H would never do that on his own and doesn’t even like to take the car through the car wash. And we live in Michigan on the west side…lots of snow, ice, salt, dirt.
Hot air balloon ride.
Rethink the Kindle. I am an avid reader who never, ever considered an e-reader. Then H got me one for xmas a few years ago. It took me a week to open the box I was so uninterested. I now carry it with me everywhere. Love, love, love it.
Love the car detailing idea! That’s exactly what I want for my birthday. If anyone close to me ever wants to know what I want for my birthday, Christmas, or any other occasion, I always say an oil change on my car BUT ONLY if they actually take it in for me. I HATE doing that and I am so grateful for any service like that.
I used to have to tell people who asked what my (then) husband got me for Valentine’s Day, “No, really! I WANTED an oil change for Valentine’s Day!”
My husband does an oil change any day but Valentine’s day.
My ex was as bad as I was when it came to car care, so taking my car in really was a huge sacrifice and a great gift.
Make a donation to some foundation in his name.
“The Human Fund.”
Rent him an extra storage unit at a mini-warehouse joint so he can hoard more stuff.
How about some nice new handtools for gardening? Check out the AJ Leonard website–lots of wonderful horticultural tools. Combine it with a subscription to a gardening magazine,e.g., The American Gardener.
Really, sounds like he already has more stuff than he needs…I wouldn’t give him anything more than a birthday card, a birthday kiss, and a birthday cake.
There are many, many gourmet food companies that could do a food item per month idea similar to the beer club, but other products: virtually anything he likes I’m sure you could find some sort of club where they mail out 3, 6 or 8 or 10 months of food packages: peanuts, coffee, fruits, meats, popcorn, sauces, mustards, etc.,etc.,etc.
Or what about a night away for the two of you? Spend a night in the city or country or woods or beach…
I also like the magazine subscription idea…