I need some gift suggestions from you old geezers out there.

[Arkansas Granny]

My brother, who lives half a continent away, is coming for a visit which coincides with his 80th birthday. The entire family is fully vaccinated (except for children under 12), so we're planning a big birthday party. It will be the first family celebration in a year and a half.

I want to find him a nice gift, but I'm out of ideas. He's a lifelong bachelor, retired Navy, gets around well, but not really physically active. His main past time seems to be playing Trivia at a local tavern. Mainly a beer drinker, but enjoys a taste of harder stuff from time to time.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Lochloosa]

1. Scotch or whiskey. A really good sipping whiskey is always welcome.

Something you want over ice not to mix with. Ask a old bartender for a rec

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Good idea. I'd have to get recommendations on that since I know nothing about either.

[abqtommy]

30. I think any 20-year-old single malt preparation will do nicely. The only one I've had is

Glenfiddich, a Scotch Whisky/Whiskey (purists can choose their favorite term) and it was superb to
sit, sip and reminisce.

[Rorey]

3. I was going to suggest an experience

Like tickets to something he'd be interested in, but your idea is excellent, IMO.

[Binkie The Clown]

20. My daughter once bought me a large bottle of 12 year old scotch.

I eventually drank about 1/3 of it, and 15 years later, once it had become 27 year old scotch, I dumped it out.

Moral: don't buy hard liquor for someone unless you are sure they are a fan of hard liquor.

[leftieNanner]

4. I don't know your brother, but

We have arrived at the age where we told our children we don't want any more things. The only gifts we want are items that can be consumed or experienced (a visit from them, for example). It sounds like the birthday party will be a wonderful gift. Maybe a bottle of something special or a home baked item. When my parents were still alive, we used to collect photographs of the grand kids and have them put into a calendar every year. It was Mom's favorite Christmas gift!

Good luck and enjoy the party! How nice that you will all be able to gather for your brother's birthday.

Cheers!

[Rorey]

9. That's where I'm at too

I've repeatedly told my family that I don't want things. I have everything I want. The exception, of course, is photographs.

For anyone who feels compelled to give me a material item, I tell them I can always use a special coffee mug. It's the one thing I sort of collect, though I don't keep them forever. Every once in awhile I go through them and box them up and donate them. I'm not a keeper of stuff, and because I've had the experience many times of having to deal with the items of older family members who have passed on, I am doing my best to make sure my "stuff" isn't too much of a burden to my family when I do the same.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. We had a big party for my aunt's 90the birthday

We reserved a room at a restaurant (Olive Garden) and there were kids and grandkids and great grandkids and a few old friends.

[leftieNanner]

36. Perfect!

That memory will be with her for ever.

Well done.

[Rorey]

5. I realized I jumped in uninvited

By definition, I'm not a "geezer". (Wrong gender. )

That's so cool that you're getting to do this party thing for your brother.

[Arkansas Granny]

7. Lol. We'll not argue about the fine points. Geezer or geezerette, same difference.

[Rorey]

10. "Geezerette" LOL

I sort of joke about being "elderly" to my family all the time. Of course I'm technically a senior citizen, and sometimes I have to remind them that there are things I won't participate in because of that, but I really still consider myself to be about 40.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. I often wish my body felt as young as my mind. I feel betrayed.

I'm looking at 75 in a few months and I don't know how that happened.

[Rorey]

17. I was just listening to the Jackson Browne video posted here

Someone he is now 72!

[rsdsharp]

21. Sir Ringo just turned 81!

[mitch96]

23. It's like that old line "Inside every elderly person is a young person wondering

What the hell happened!"...
I like the photo Idea. Or anything from when he was just turning a teenager. Like something from the mid '50s? A pic of his first car? His Navy pictures?
m

[whistler162]

34. It isn't weezer instead of geezer?

[BoomaofBandM]

6. When you mentioned trivia, my husband is a huge trivia fan.

His brain is filled with what he calls useless information. And he loves the "bath room reader" book series. Started reading at the cabin, and now keeps current ones in the home bathroom.

As a beer drinker, does he have a brand or does he like to try new beers. There are some fun beer home delivery clubs out there.

I hope all is great for his birthday and your family gathering.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Excellent suggestion. I've looked the books up on line and they look fantastic. Thanks.

[Ocelot II]

8. Most of us old folks don't want any more *stuff*.

A consumable (like some good liquor or wine, whatever he likes) might be a good gift. My brother and I have been exchanging wines for years.

[Arkansas Granny]

12. I hear you. We don't usually exchange gifts, but this is one of those "milestone" birthdays.

[Atticus]

13. Bet he doesn't have one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Tradesman-Original-Viking-Drinking/dp/B07N1Q2KY9/ref=asc_df_B07N1Q2KY9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385194897996&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11901401892657137355&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022467&hvtargid=pla-827547578868&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=81511520114&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385194897996&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11901401892657137355&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022467&hvtargid=pla-827547578868

There are also all sorts of personalized beer mugs and steins on line.

Bottoms up!

[Arkansas Granny]

16. That's certainly unique. And we're of Swedish descent to boot.

[rurallib]

15. I will offer a kind of 'out there' idea

Is there someone he admires that you could contact and have that person send him a birthday card or maybe even a call. As retired Navy maybe the CIC (Biden) could send him a card.

Maybe an author?

Of course this may depend on how much time you have.

[Arkansas Granny]

18. Just have a couple of weeks. Good idea, but I'd have to give it some thought.

[Rorey]

19. I'd sure think that was one of the best gifts ever NT

[rsdsharp]

22. Trivia Pursuit has specialty editions.

Sports, Disney, RPM (music), etc. I’m pretty good at Trivia Pursuit, but these are all super tough for me.

[Wicked Blue]

24. The Guinness Book of World Records

or other good reference material for trivia games

[dameatball]

25. There are some nice coffee/gift packs out there. I have a favorite that has been well received if

it interests you.

[Arkansas Granny]

27. I don't really know about his taste in coffee other than he drinks it black.

I don't even know if he uses ground or k-cups.

[dameatball]

28. Yeah, maybe not the best gift in this case. Oh well.

[Lars39]

26. Gift certificate at the local tavern he frequents.

[irisblue]

29. Professional photographer at the party, get photos of you & his siblings

then candid shots of the party in action

[UTUSN]

31. "Navy tavern beer harder stuff" - hookay this is my wheelhouse and I

think you've answered your own question.

* A whole evening's tab at a dive tavern

* A supply of beer/harder stuff and a remote control and YouTube and armchair

* Another armchair for a drinking/listening companion

[NNadir]

32. Your presence is a great present.

[denbot]

33. Beer brewing kit

Might be something he’ll enjoy.