I'm right there with you...makes me crazy trying to think of something different to give my father. Last year, I bought him Nearly Naked Popcorn as it's far healthier than most of the stuff and he likes popcorn. Usually, I resort to a good bottle of scotch or red wine. Maybe you could find a personalized bingo dauber.

Is there a restaurant that he likes? I gave my 86 year old mother a gift card to one of her favorite restaurants for Mother's Day.

Ask him what he would like???

He knows you are going to give him something, ask what he needs or wants. Then add to his wish with other stuff.

One year I bought my parents one of those gardening benches. They loved it. The kind that flips to use kneeling or sitting. They used it in the house when they had to kneel down to get into lower cabinets, or just when they needed to pick up something off the floor. Flipped over to kneel on, the tall arm grips were great and so handy helping them to stand up after. They used it outside while gardening or weeding, too. You can get them many places for less than $30. I found many, including this one, on Amazon.

Once my mother hit 80, her standard response to our inquiries about gifts was always, "I don't want more "stuff", I really have enough". In the end, all she wanted was to spend time with her family; to see everyone together healthy and happy.

Instead of giving him something tangible, why not give him a date with the family doing something special and out of the norm that you would all enjoy doing together. You could memorialize it with some good photo's and have one framed for him.

Your time. Of course, you'll be giving that anyway, but think of how you can give it in a special way that will be particularly meaningful to him. Cook a special meal for him, or make his favorite dessert? Take him out to a unique restaurant if he would enjoy that sort of thing. Hold a game night in his honor; spend time with family around the table, letting him feel the love.

It's hard. I'm trying to figure out what to do for my dad too. For my mom on Mother's Day, I prepared a special afternoon tea - for just us girls - and she loved it. I'd like to come up with something similar for Dad.

Probably not exactly what you are looking for answer-wise, but I do think there's merit in getting away from the "things" at this stage of life and focusing more on experiences.

I get my dad fancy ice cream for Father's day. Not fancy flavors because he isn't into that for the most part-- but better ice creams he wouldn't buy for himself. I used to get Talenti but now it's so widely available that it isn't a treat. I got some from the Penn State Creamery (Paterno Peach and another I forget) and there's a local brand called Urban Churn where I will pick up a few more pints.

I know it's kind of lame but he doesn't want stuff and he loves his ice cream.

I always wanted to take my dad on a hot air balloon ride. Never did, unfortunately.

I'd agree with taking him somewhere. Do you live near a city where there is major league baseball? How about a museum? Art gallery? Arboretum? If he's into that kind of thing.

When you where a kid, did he take your family places? Like to a zoo, a park for a picnic, to the beach to swim, a ballpark? Would he think it was cool to do it again?

Does he still live near where he grew up? If not, would it be possible to take him there, just to see how it looks now?

Agree with the responses above for time or experiences. None of it really needs to be fancy to be appreciated. But if you can think of a special event that he'd truly enjoy, that's perfect. One of my sisters took my mom to China at 90 (she'd given up hope of getting to see some sights she'd long been interested in). A friend took his dad up in a glider--he adored it. But an afternoon on the porch, with grands if available is probably something he'd really like.

That's a great idea, Littlebug! My mom has a big, published book from the county she grew up in and takes great pleasure in showing it to people, even now that she can't see it herself.

Another idea is tix to a show or event for the two of you. Not a coupon, the actual tickets.

Funky, I do the same thing for my husband. Fancy versions of the things he eats all the time. Whole cashews instead of a jar of peanuts. Cheddar from the cheese counter instead of the deli case. Fancy coffee, ice cream. And bourbon too :)

Stamps! USPS.com has some really lovely stamps on its website. The ones we've gotten my FIL from the Civil War series have been really appreciated.

How about a towel for the gym monogrammed with his initials or embroidered with something funny like "Mr Muscles".

does he have friends that come visit? The goodies basket could include stuff he can have for people that visit him. Sausages, fancy crackers, mixed nuts.

Here's a cute towel.

My brother gave my Dad a hot air ballon ride over the two farms he owned in the township where He lived. He was 80. Still active and working too. They took pictures and Dad absolutely loved this gift!

Something I make for my dad that he likes--home made applesauce. It's easy peasy to make and I can it up in little 1/2 pint (1 cup) jars. I use them myself, because the larger jars they sell at the store go bad on us before we eat it up. Plus, there is no comparison in taste.

I got my dad a little leather coin purse, the round kind that opens and closes accordion style.

My dad is 73 and I am making him a photo book of the stained glass pieces his has made over the years. Some from 40 years ago and many more from the last few years. When he retired he started up again and has been busy working at the local stained glass shop.

Maybe a photo book that has some old and more recent photos of people, places and stuff that he enjoys?

My dad loved gift certificates to his favorite restaurants. At his age, he didn't want to accumulate more stuff, so consumables were best. Rory's idea of the photo book would also be a great momento. My brother lived close enough to dad the he could see what clothing was wearing out, but I was half the country away.

Thanks for all the ideas. I have given him a few photo books, which he always enjoys. And we are taking him to the area where he grew up (across the country) this summer, to visit his siblings. That was his birthday gift!

I think I'll stick with the "experience" idea. He's not really into art museums or shows, but he likes beer (!) so DH and I are taking him on a brewery tour, including lunch, on Fathers Day. Later, for dinner, we are all (including my kids) going out to a nice restaurant.

That sounds like a great gift!