O/T - Idea's for Dad's 50th birthday present needed...

Does he have any hobbies? If not, why not start him off with one - fishing is the nations biggest sport and it's not expensive to get started. You can buy good rods for under £20 and there are some excellent fishing spots in West Yorkshire - ask my hubby! It's also an excellent way for men to relax and de-stress, be out in the open air and a great way to make new friends. Or, why not take him go carting - men love this too!

He does have a hobby - gardening. But it's in a big way. He has 4 allotment plots so it's pretty much a full tme thing, definitely doesn't have time for another hobby. But thanks for the idea.

Over the years we've bought him literally everything garden related - tools, sheds, magazine subscriptions, plants, clothing, books, novelty garden related items, garden ornaments - you name it, he has it!

Mum and Dad both like gardening and for my mum's 50th we got her a stone sun dial. You can have them engraved with "50th birthday" or whatever or left blank. Mum loved it and Dad wanted one so it went down well. We did the same for H's mum - who loves gardening too - a couple of years later. I think it was around £40

How about a newspaper from the day he was born or compile a photo album from when he was born to now.

I know what you mean about allotments taking all your time! My late Father-in-law had one and we tried to carry on with it after he died but we just couldn't manage it between us. If he loves gardens - and this is a place my Dad-in-law used to love visiting - you could suprise him with a day out at Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate. They have lots of different gardens to look at for inspiration including vegetable gardens. There's a gift shop and coffee shop and it's a lovely place to go. You could always pop into Harrogate and do the shops whilst he's there if you don't fancy it yourself or better still, pop into Betty's cafe for lunch - scrumptious! Another idea would be to buy him a special variety of rose for his garden at home so it will always remind him of you.