This is completely off the wall, but I have the hardest time sending my husband's uncle gifts. Last Christmas sent him a really soft blanket. I think he's going to be 89 this year and he's like a father to my husband and me too.

Normally he likes cheeses and things from one of those catalog places but I kind of wanted to find a nicer one than I normally send him. You know they look good in the catalog but the cheese is really small etc...

He likes food baskets but didn't want to over do it, meaning give him too much that will go to waste but get something of a nice quality if anyone has suggestions, I shop a lot on the net, thanks brandyII.

If he is not very sociable it probably means that he enjoys drinking. Get him some nice cheeses, some quality salamis, peperonis, and a bottle of Jack. He is a man and that is the kind of stuff they like.

Now I only drink when I'm sociable so what does that mean? He is a loner and likes to drink his vodka but I think he drives to a different state to get it cheaper and by the case or should I say cases. I decided he can handle that part of his celebration and I'll handle the munchies, thanks for your input, brandyII.

how about a windchime.......................? makes home more homey. g2s

Thanks for the info, I think I got his sister one a few years back that sounded like Gregorian chants!

Men and women tend to like very different things. Men, for instance, do not collect plush animals and yet many women love the things. When giving a gift to an independent old man it would be best to ask your male friends and members of the family what they would suggest. Women do tend to like windchimes. An old man might just find them to be noisy and an irritant.

I give this advice in all respect. I spent the past 20 years of my life working on the floor with men in an aircraft factory. During that period of time there were no birthday parties, showers, or pot lucks. And any plush toys or cheap votive candles handed out were always gifts given by some of the handful of women working there. I myself did not participate in these grrl activities. In many respects I am kinda like a 89 year man myself. I would rather have a quart of single malt scotch or some well aged cheddar or a double-creme brie. Quality chocolate is also appreciated by many men. The key ideas are quality and that the gift doesn't stick around long enough to become a dust catcher. (I guess I display my feminine side in my fondness for cut flowers.)

Thanks, I think you expressed yourself very well on behalf of the men out there. I'm not too sure what a "double-creme brie" is but it makes me hungry now, thanks alot, brandyII. When I hear the term double cream I think of Brits so you must be.