80th Birthday Present

daveymck · #1 05-15-2006, 10:54 AM

This weekend its my Grandas 80th Birthday. We are having a combined birthday party as it is also my daughter and nieces birthday. A load of his family are coming up from out of town. Its worth noting that its the first Birthday he has had since my Grandma died last year I suspect it may well be an emotional day for us all, but he has wanted the party.

The problem is what to get him, he is currently on anti depressants to help him cope so my usual fall back of some whiskey is out. He was the carer for my Grandma so he doesnt really have any outside interests although he does play bowls a bit.

My only other thought at the moment is to get him a flight in a vintage plane, he was in RAF just after the war and you can get flights in the Tigermoth that he probably trained in.

Apart from that I am a bit stuck, anyone got any ideas?

Gunny Highway · #2 05-15-2006, 10:59 AM

Hookers & blow? Standard?

adsanman12 · #3 05-15-2006, 11:13 AM

DEPENDS

on what his hobbies are

dcasper70 · #4 05-15-2006, 11:18 AM

Stop thinking!
That vintage plane idea is awesome! Set it up! You will continue to rock like no other!

daveymck · #5 05-15-2006, 11:31 AM

My worry about the plane thing is the emotions it might bring up, harking back to his youth but that was the time he met my Grandma as well so I am a touch unsure about it.

rory · #6 05-15-2006, 11:41 AM

Getting him a ride in a plane that will bring back memories from his past long gone, and will stir up a thrill in him, something that he probably never gets ever, memories back from when he was at the prime of his youth, and when he was likely feeling the most powerful and invigorated.. like he could conquer anything, seems like a pretty bad idea. Why would he want to remember a time back when he had his whole life was ahead of him with this really powerful machine beneath him, propelling him to his destiny and his future and maybe have this thought that now, he is 80, and again this plane is again beneath him. Again, propelling him... but now, to something else. What? Some other future unknown. Is he scared to die? Will going on that plane maybe help him turn his fear into a sense of adventure a little bit? Maybe. It will be not only a thrilling, exciting ride for him that stirs up memories, it might also be a deeply meaningful metaphorical experience for him. Also, it will probably be the last thing that really gets his heart pumping before he dies. The last really exciting thing he ever does.

Screw that, it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to me. I don't know why you would get him that.

I would get him a hat, if I were you. You don't want to upset the old guy, he is 80 after all. You can get cool hats made at the mall for pretty cheap. Get something funny on it, that says like.. "I'm 80, but I'm not over the hill yet!" LOL that would be so funny!!!!! LOLOLO

daveymck · #7 05-15-2006, 11:48 AM

Rory

Maybe your right, although I could get him some viagra so he can rub one out and get that blood pumping another way.

dcasper70 · #8 05-15-2006, 12:03 PM

I was about to post the same thing as Rory, minus the oodles of sarcasm...

It's not often you get to do something amazing like this (not the viagra part you weirdo).
The experience your grandfather will have is something that you will be able to take great pride in for many years after he's gone. You will always have the memory of the complete joy on his face when he gets out of that plane. You can give him somthing truly rewarding, for both of you.

Trip report with pics are expected.

dcasper70 · #9 05-15-2006, 12:04 PM

...or you cound just give him your stepson's porn collection...