Need a gift for a dad who's turning 70, celebrating Father's Day, a 40th wedding anniversary, and generally being a stand-up fella, all in June! He has a lot of hobbies but knows way more about them than I ever will, so let's skip right past those...

Question

Nora Rev · Answer

Give your parents a Storyworth subscription!: I worked as a story director for The Moth for nearly a decade, yet getting stories out of my boomer parents is STILL like pulling teeth! If your parents are anything like mine, they might resist answering too many personal questions in the moment. Gifting my parents this subscription of personal story prompts (and editing the questions myself) turned into a year-long ritual for them where they discussed each weekly prompt over dinner. In the end, you both get a book filled with stories and details that would otherwise be forgotten.

Sarah Abare · Answer

aura frame: My dad loves photos of the family and nothing delights him more than sitting there watching them. This makes a great old guy who has everything else he wants gift.

Monique · Answer

Tickets: I’m a big fan of plans vs physical gifts when it comes to family, bc I seriously never know what to buy. If your dad is a music guy, my favorite is tickets to a live show. Take a look at what’s coming up near you & if someone fun will be anywhere within driving distance, go for it. Plan a whole day around it, make reservations somewhere his vibe before/after the show. I think doing things like that for someone who wouldn’t usually do it for themselves is a sweet thing

Meara Daly · Answer

Custom photo book: for my dad’s 80th I made a photo book for him, not super original but found/sourced photos from his sisters that he had thought were lost. We ended up making copies for immediate family because everyone liked them so much.

Celia · Answer

Nothing Beats Nostalgia: i repeated all the super sugary recipes of desserts that we had when we were kids with our dad when he had us on his own for weekends. root beer floats, peanut butter sundays, Nutella pancakes (as shown) etc and I had my sister and i both write a memory that we read while we eat everything. dad was in tears & kept the cards we wrote our memories on.

Devin · Answer

(if he still has hair) a monogrammed comb from Officine Universelle Buly: Bought one for my husband and it’s beautiful and sturdy

NOP · Answer

Crokinole board: Fun and easy game for all ages! Takes up some space but is so fun to play with family.

Josefine · Answer

Extendable Fork: Never met a Dad who didn’t: 1)Enjoy a gag gift. 2) Steal a little bit of your food.

Maren M · Answer

a lovebox!! from moma store

even*cleveland · Answer

Gifts of time/shared experiences: I love giving things, esp. rare and perfect things, but I find nothing beats the gift of time, especially when it comes to my parents (both people with deep and varied hobbies who say they have enough stuff). An obvious and cheeseball suggestion, I know, which also totally depends on the relationship, but seeing a show, taking a trip (big or small), or grabbing a meal together is pretty much unbeatable. It makes sense: when I think of the future, the thing I want most is time with people I love, esp. my kid <3

Painting pictured is a favorite I saw at the Tate once upon a time: "Melanie and Me Swimming," by Michael Andrews, 1978–9.

Amy · Answer

Artifact Uprising Custom Photo Block & Prints: Each year you can send him a refill with new photos. Paired with a massage gift card (and appointment already made), a luxe version of his favorite edible treat, and a bottle of his favorite beverage.

Grier · Answer

A River Runs Through It: Fly fishing trip? @Harrison to weigh in 😉🎣

Grier · Answer

Impact Driver Kit: I asked my 72yo dad and he said this Milwaukee or Mikita impact screwdriver. “You can never have enough. I have like… 5 of the them.” - my dad

Chris · Answer

aura frame: Just bought my 80 year old father celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary an aura frame. It’s super fun to start accumulating all the photos to load onto it.