Gift Ideas For A Distant Difficult Blind Dad?

[iampoison]

EDIT: Thank you so much for the help everyone, but it seems that he no longer wishes to be in our lives and we aren't exactly trying to fix that. Thank you so much for all your lovely suggestions.

Okay to make a long and personal story short me, my younger sister, and my father are NOT very close. He had surgery about 6 years ago on a brain tumor and went blind. He also forgot about all the bad things that happened between us and expects us to have a perfect relationship. We (My sister and I) don't feel that way. I don't expect us to make this gift by this father's day but we need ideas for future holidays. Everything we come up with involves eye sight. Plus handmade gifts usually do not go over well with him.
I once made him a scarf since he loved to ski (before the blindness) and he went on for a half an hour talking about his other scarf he bought and how much nicer it was.

Plus we fear ignoring him or the holiday because he has become desperate and perhaps a bit self distructive.

So i need ideas for

Generally picky people (he's picky about everything)
Blind People
Distant Family Member

If any of you have ANY ideas feel free to spill them here because we are at a loss.
Thank you very much.

[Pinkaholic]

So it would be hand-made? Sorry I'm just confused. I can't think of anything right now but I'll think about it and see if I come up with anything.

[iampoison]

So it would be hand-made? Sorry I'm just confused. I can't think of anything right now but I'll think about it and see if I come up with anything.

Yeah it would be handmade but i was hoping for something non-typical. Something different.

[mishmish]

What about something to eat? Cookies, something like that. Or if he likes a certian genre or used to like it, download some songs and make a CD. You can look up a tutorial on braille and make a nice card... I don't know, I'm just trying to think of things that don't involve eyesight.

[iampoison]

What about something to eat? Cookies, something like that. Or if he likes a certian genre or used to like it, download some songs and make a CD. You can look up a tutorial on braille and make a nice card... I don't know, I'm just trying to think of things that don't involve eyesight.

Thank you very much mishmish. A CD seems like a good idea. I think I'll do that. I remember he used to like Elvis a bit when I was younger.

[mishmish]

What about something to eat? Cookies, something like that. Or if he likes a certian genre or used to like it, download some songs and make a CD. You can look up a tutorial on braille and make a nice card... I don't know, I'm just trying to think of things that don't involve eyesight.

Thank you very much mishmish. A CD seems like a good idea. I think I'll do that. I remember he used to like Elvis a bit when I was younger.

No problem! Good luck

[Bettsi]

Wow- you are in a bind!  Personally, I say go the gift card route.  You and your sister can go in together and get a $50 gift card for a restaurant.  I wish I had some better ideas for you.  I will think about it some more.  Good luck!

[lindsoriah]

does (did) he like books or reading?  if so and he has a favorite you and your sister could tape readings of chapters, and give one each holiday or one per month or whatever.  i got the idea because my grandfather doesn't read English very well so he really likes books on tape.

[iampoison]

does (did) he like books or reading?  if so and he has a favorite you and your sister could tape readings of chapters, and give one each holiday or one per month or whatever.  i got the idea because my grandfather doesn't read English very well so he really likes books on tape.

Thank you for the idea. Thankfully my father has lost most contact with the rest of our family although if we ever reconcile that would be a great gift.

--rant--
He can just be such a jerk. 
When we last saw him I made him a ton of quality handmade items. I designed my own valentine card for him (with cut out letters so he could try and feel them with his fingers), a drawstring bag to keep his collapsible walking stick in which was made with Eagles fabric (his favorite football team). And A matching rice-heat pack with a removable Eagles slipcover to put on his sore legs. Then he took the items home and complained to our grandmother that our gifts were "thrown together and poorly made".
I think I may have to get this thread deleted because I doubt he'll ever be in our lives again. 

[librarylass]

I think I have to agree with what someone said earlier and go the giftcard route. Assuming he is in your lives for much longer (he really does sound like a jerk) then fork over $50 for a shopping centre gift card, send him a cheap 50c card and 'happy birthday' I doubt you'll get much better from him.

*hugs* look after yourself. Nasty/annoying people are bad for YOUR health. Especially if they are family.