Last year, I got my father golf lessons, which he never used and those were really expensive golf lessons too.  The year before that I got him this authentic Irish walking cane that he never used, not even on Saint Patrick’s Day when he marched in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.   And, of course, throughout my childhood, I got him a number of ties, shirts, and mugs that he never actually used.  He always says he’s using to use or wear all these things I buy him for Christmas and his birthday, but he never does.  My father is the classic example of the person who says that he doesn’t want anything when he ask him what he wants for Christmas or his birthday.  And you know you still have to get him something because it’s Christmas or his birthday.  You don’t have a choice and he knows and he doesn’t make it any easier on you.  I know that it’s supposed to be the thought that counts, but you really do want to get the person, especially your father, something he’ll like or at least use every once in a while.  I’ve even explained all this to my father and he still says he’d get nothing than put people out.