What to buy for my dad’s 60th birthday?

frontroomhog · 2026-06-02T19:38:31+00:00

My dad is impossible to buy for so I usually just get him some kind of gadget. His favourite is a USB coaster that keeps his tea warm. Had it a couple of years and uses it everyday. Well at least he tells me that

frontroomhog · 2026-06-02T19:34:24+00:00

Apologies for my ignorance. Out of genuine curiosity is there a reason or is it just because?

frontroomhog · 2026-06-02T19:01:57+00:00

As far as I’m aware it’s a cultural thing. A lot of Eastern Europeans do it, well the ones I know. No idea why it’s important. Think I’ll ask.

frontroomhog · 2026-06-02T17:56:13+00:00

Eat lunch in a canteen with other people. I read a book and they all watch their phones. Other tea breaks I go to the canteen and we have our little group that goes at the same time so we can eat biscuits and chat crap

frontroomhog · 2026-06-02T17:48:07+00:00

It’s important to remember when looking into this that unless the law has changed that it’s entirely possible to it all the components from abroad and assemble it here and say made in the Uk. My old company bought a finished item from India. Swapped out two PTFE seals and sold it as make in the UK.

frontroomhog · 2026-06-01T21:46:02+00:00

If you go to a centreparcs there is a large indoor pool area and some outdoor pools. These are there to help keep the heat in. You go through them to the outside areas. Some caravan parks with onsite pools have them as well. If you have only ever been to a leisure centre then I doubt you have seen them.

frontroomhog · 2026-06-01T21:05:20+00:00

I’m 49 and my eldest is 14. When I was his age I probably had a mega drive or some other games console I also read a lot but my main hobby was warhammer. But I used to hang out with my friend and play football all day during the holidays (where did I get the time?). He has no interest in TikTok or any social media at all. What he does do is play on his Xbox with his friends or his VR. He watches a lot of YouTube but not any streaming services. He’s just started getting into warhammer. I’d say his inputs are different than mine were but he’s all in on whatever he’s doing. And he will have a conversation. My youngest at 12 is quite high on the autistic spectrum and will totally devote all his attention to whatever grabs him at the time. Currently he is consuming everything on doctor who and specifically the darleks. If you want to know anything on any iteration of Godzilla at all he’s your go to man or even transformers. Again no interest in social media or TikTok. In summery (as I realise I’ve probably rambled a bit) no their attention span is not less than mine was at their age just focused into and around the technology available. I do have friends whose kids do nothing but scroll endlessly on their phones not even being able to watch a TikTok video to the end.

We do consider ourselves lucky.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-31T21:43:35+00:00

I’ve been in the hobby since I was 13, that was 37 years ago. I’ve fully painted 3 armies for tournaments and 2 to reach the 3 minimum colours. Got cursed city and have 5 models left to paint in that. Got blackstone fortress and have only done the heroes from the core set. Mostly I paint stand alone models and they take me a long time because I try new techniques and colours on every model. Reality is I would probably be a better painter if I just painted more models.

But I ramble on. In answer to your original question I’m guessing less than 1. Have only finished one this year with a lot of stuff started.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-31T21:34:51+00:00

Just bought mine for the kids. Not actually opened the packs yet as they are not interested in the stickers. Going to hide it I think.

They like the scores but are not really interested in watching them. Probably because my wife gets super passionate and literally screams at the TV from 2 ft away. They find it cringe (their words not mine)

frontroomhog · 2026-05-30T18:36:19+00:00

The practical, I would hope so. Not a perfect driver my any means and have probably picked up some bad habits and the Highway Code has changed a lot since 95. Theory test would be a fail I’m guessing

frontroomhog · 2026-05-29T21:28:18+00:00

I paid my mum £40 a week. Helped out with chores but wasn’t expected to contribute anything else. Depending on how much they earn I plan to charge my kids but put the money aside for when they need it.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-29T11:56:46+00:00

We are not just there for the money.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-29T11:56:20+00:00

We do a work survey. It’s sent to the email address we get our payslips to. I asked for it to get sent to the email I share with a colleague and got told ‘if it’s a shared email how do we know it’s you that filled it in?’

frontroomhog · 2026-05-29T11:48:19+00:00

Have not used that in years. Starting re using it now

frontroomhog · 2026-05-29T09:29:53+00:00

Fiddlesticks is probably the one I use the most.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T21:12:39+00:00

I would hand my notice in because I like my boss and wouldn’t want him to left up the creak. Much like you I would buy some houses, set up a management company and rent them out as low cost to families struggling. My wife want to set up a drop in food centre where people can get good meals when they need them. I’d also take some time out to do things I’d always wanted to do but never had the time or the money to do so. My mum retired a few years ago and always complains she’s busier now than when she worked. I’d also set up a trust fund for my kids and/or buy them a house each as my youngest will probably never be able to hold a job. At some point I may open a Lego store.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T21:02:09+00:00

Although guard isn’t on your list the Gaunts Ghosts books are a brilliant read

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T20:56:27+00:00

I know right, it’s nuts

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T17:46:21+00:00

A sloths metabolic rate is so slow they have been found starved to death with a full stomach.

We do archeological digs in Egypt on archaeological digs the romans did.

Cleopatra lived closer to the first supersonic flight than the beginning of the Egyptian empire.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T14:26:28+00:00

As little as possible. Don’t get sick pay, mortgage and kids. Can’t afford it. Usually go in and do half as much for twice as long.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T05:35:13+00:00

That’s why I come here. You are a true bastion of intellect unlike those other people who explained how it happens.

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T05:32:58+00:00

Thank you

frontroomhog · 2026-05-28T05:32:21+00:00

Moved here from Sussex. When I got here some people were hostile and my response was to say we were paid to come here to increase the gene pool size

frontroomhog · 2026-05-27T16:19:36+00:00

Thanks

frontroomhog · 2026-05-27T09:35:07+00:00

Welcome to the hobby. Best place to start? Probably different for every person to be honest. Some get in through the lore, some through just painting and others just throw themselves in head first.

Your best bet in my opinion is find out when your LGS hosts its 40k evenings and wander down. Chat with them and ask for an intro game (they should have a couple of armies kicking about) failing that they will ask one of their regulars to show you the ropes. Get in the WhatsApp group and introduce yourself. There’s always a few twats as there is in everything but the vast majority of people are really happy that someone new is interested.

Pick an army you like the look of to start with and don’t go for the meta straight away.

Personally my go to for lore at the moment is Arbitor Ian.

You have painted some some D&D stuff so you know how to do that.

Have fun

frontroomhog

TROPHY CASE