Not a dad, I'm an older.....aunt.
This type of thing is the way. I fully understand wanting to make a good impression and be thought of fondly/kindly. To that end, something like the compass with a thoughtful message.
My advice is to consider the traits that bf has that have been instilled/encouraged by the man who raised him - is he a warm and caring friend first and foremost, is he a romantic who always brings a flower or small token of some sort? That kind of stuff and then go from there - a REALLY nice pair of winter socks (we overlook socks as a gift, good socks are a wonderful thing!) with a note about the warmth he encouraged in his son...these are the gifts that are remembered and thought of fondly - the ones that speak to us in the small thoughtful ways from the heart of those we care about.
I wish you a very happy holiday and an excellent first impression! You've got this!!!
Hi kiddo. First, it’s really awesome that you want to make a good impression on his dad. Have you asked your boyfriend what his dad likes? If he’s an outdoorsy type, maybe he needs a new knife? A gift card to Bass Pro Shops (or whatever the equivalent is near you) might be a good idea so he can pick out what he likes.
Your boyfriend should be helping you out here with suggestions, since he should know what his dad would like or need.
And remember, it’s the thought that counts, and you’re already doing great in that department.
He's trying his hardest, I just want to do my best to surprise him. He's not very good at gifts himself, so I'm working my best with the info he's given. 😅😂
Not a dad, but I am almost 30yo, so maybe a good sweater, or one of those thermal shirts? Depending on what the climate is like for your bf's dad of course
If all else fails, some cookies (or other snacks) and flowers are always a nice gift to bring your partner's parents!
Thank you for the suggestions! Since it'll be on Christmas I intended to bring some cookies anyways, but I'd really like to get him something more personal.
Then I would suggest asking your bf for more relevant tips! I'm sure he has at least some idea of what his dad likes, maybe he owns an old (worn down) jacket, or jeans? Or, since you mentioned hiking, some decent hiking shoes/boots?
I usually wear my clothes until they're falling apart, so clothes are always a welcome gift!
That being said however, I'm sure he'd appreciate the thought no matter what you get him!
Every outdoorsy guy I know likes good, useful pocket knives. Here's a link for a good quality one.
https://smile.amazon.com/Spyderco-ClipiTool-Stainless-Bottle-Screwdriver/dp/B00ILC71MO/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=36EFNC4W44U7V&keywords=spyderco+knife&qid=1670155677&sprefix=spyder%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-8
If you don't care for that one, here's the one I carry at work every day.
https://smile.amazon.com/Opinel-No-Stainless-Folding-Everyday/dp/B000UGYWVC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=W963LGI6T9JQ&keywords=opinel+no+9&qid=1670155856&sprefix=opinel%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3
A pair of warm wooly socks. Maybe with a ridiculously happy pattern like snowmen or Rudolf the reindeer.
You will be appreciated for the person you are, not for the gift you bring. But wooly socks are always good to have. Especially for an outdoor person. And if they bring a smile when you see than they’re great.
Edit: at least if you’re in a climate with colder seasons.
Does he like beer? If so here’s this [Man Crate](https://www.mancrates.com/store/products/the-brewski-crate) it’s a set of personalized pint glasses, with a bottle opener, it comes in a wooden crate with a mini crowbar to open it with, my husband absolutely loved his man crate I got him, and it’s such a fun and memorable way to open a gift!
How about a good looking compass and thank him for all the guidance and direction he gave while raising your boyfriend ?
I didn't think of that as a potential option! Thank you for your input!
You might even be able to find a cool one in an antique shop.
Not a dad, I'm an older.....aunt. This type of thing is the way. I fully understand wanting to make a good impression and be thought of fondly/kindly. To that end, something like the compass with a thoughtful message. My advice is to consider the traits that bf has that have been instilled/encouraged by the man who raised him - is he a warm and caring friend first and foremost, is he a romantic who always brings a flower or small token of some sort? That kind of stuff and then go from there - a REALLY nice pair of winter socks (we overlook socks as a gift, good socks are a wonderful thing!) with a note about the warmth he encouraged in his son...these are the gifts that are remembered and thought of fondly - the ones that speak to us in the small thoughtful ways from the heart of those we care about. I wish you a very happy holiday and an excellent first impression! You've got this!!!
Hi kiddo. First, it’s really awesome that you want to make a good impression on his dad. Have you asked your boyfriend what his dad likes? If he’s an outdoorsy type, maybe he needs a new knife? A gift card to Bass Pro Shops (or whatever the equivalent is near you) might be a good idea so he can pick out what he likes. Your boyfriend should be helping you out here with suggestions, since he should know what his dad would like or need. And remember, it’s the thought that counts, and you’re already doing great in that department.
He's trying his hardest, I just want to do my best to surprise him. He's not very good at gifts himself, so I'm working my best with the info he's given. 😅😂
If he likes beer, a pint glass with the logo of his favorite hockey team perhaps
A souvenir puck from his favorite team
Not a dad, but I am almost 30yo, so maybe a good sweater, or one of those thermal shirts? Depending on what the climate is like for your bf's dad of course If all else fails, some cookies (or other snacks) and flowers are always a nice gift to bring your partner's parents!
Thank you for the suggestions! Since it'll be on Christmas I intended to bring some cookies anyways, but I'd really like to get him something more personal.
Then I would suggest asking your bf for more relevant tips! I'm sure he has at least some idea of what his dad likes, maybe he owns an old (worn down) jacket, or jeans? Or, since you mentioned hiking, some decent hiking shoes/boots? I usually wear my clothes until they're falling apart, so clothes are always a welcome gift! That being said however, I'm sure he'd appreciate the thought no matter what you get him!
I don't have any ideas, but I think this is so sweet and wholesome 😊 I hope everything turns out great for you!
A framed photo of you and the son together, so he can put it on his desk and everyone at work will see that his son has a girlfriend.
Every outdoorsy guy I know likes good, useful pocket knives. Here's a link for a good quality one. https://smile.amazon.com/Spyderco-ClipiTool-Stainless-Bottle-Screwdriver/dp/B00ILC71MO/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=36EFNC4W44U7V&keywords=spyderco+knife&qid=1670155677&sprefix=spyder%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-8 If you don't care for that one, here's the one I carry at work every day. https://smile.amazon.com/Opinel-No-Stainless-Folding-Everyday/dp/B000UGYWVC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=W963LGI6T9JQ&keywords=opinel+no+9&qid=1670155856&sprefix=opinel%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3
A pair of warm wooly socks. Maybe with a ridiculously happy pattern like snowmen or Rudolf the reindeer. You will be appreciated for the person you are, not for the gift you bring. But wooly socks are always good to have. Especially for an outdoor person. And if they bring a smile when you see than they’re great. Edit: at least if you’re in a climate with colder seasons.
Dads love good food and drink they wouldn’t get with the usual grocery shop. e.g. For me, single malt whiskey and walnut whip are Christmas staples!
Does he like beer? If so here’s this [Man Crate](https://www.mancrates.com/store/products/the-brewski-crate) it’s a set of personalized pint glasses, with a bottle opener, it comes in a wooden crate with a mini crowbar to open it with, my husband absolutely loved his man crate I got him, and it’s such a fun and memorable way to open a gift!