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Retirement gift ideas
Feb 1st my dad is retiring from his job after 40 yrs with the same company; it's not really what he had planned, but his wife / my step-mom has medical problems that she can't stay home alone anymore. He is retiring to help her. (She has a rare, progressive disease that has no cure and is slowly killing her at 63.)
I'm struggling with what to get him as a gift. I didn't plan on anything truly until my mom asked me what I was planning on giving him. We're beyond broke right now, and my dad is one of those hard to buy for kind of people. He basically just likes to be outside and garden and work in his yard and grill (all of which aren't possible in Feb). They can't travel anywhere because of his wife's condition, I mean, she can't even really go out to eat let alone a get away.
I could go with something traditional like a mantal clock that is engraved "time to relax" or something but honestly, that just isn't him. Since it's slow, anyone have any ideas? TIA!
Re: Retirement gift ideas
That's tough! I was going to suggest a night out to celebrate, but it sounds like that's out of the question. My siblings and our spouses took my parents both out to the comedy club and dinner to celebrate my dad's retirement and it was a lot of fun for all of us.
Do they like movies? You could get them a Blockbuster mail service gift subscription? Not very sentimental, but it could help to pass the time at home while he adjusts. Or a Kindle with a Prime Membership if he likes to read?
Sorry to hear your step mom is in poor health -- that sounds like a sad situation
I'm sorry to hear about your stepmom
I'm not sure if he would be comfortable with this, but what about offering to give him some time "off" outside of the home when he needs a break one day, by coming over to stay with your stepmom? Dave could stay with her, and you could treat your dad to dinner.
Jake - 1.15.08
Liam - 5.17.11
I like Emmy's idea!
Also, if you're not able to spend $$ right now AND have no ideas what to give him (and it sounds like you weren't planning on it at first) I don't see any harm in not doing a gift. Maybe just write him a nice card telling him you admire him for what he is doing and that you're there to help, etc. I;m sure there will be opportunities down the line to give him something he needs, so you can do it then "just because."
Sorry your dad's plans are changing. I pray that you'll all somehow be blessed through his staying home and caring for his wife while he can.
I like everyone's ideas - especially the suggestion of writing a note. If your Dad is like mine, he hates when we spend money on him for holidays, birthdays, etc. because we have young families and he has everything he needs. And while my dad isn't an emotional guy, I know it would mean a lot to him to get a nice note from one of his kids.
Good luck!
My three sons!