I don't know your Pop, so I can't be specific here. But, as a Dad, I get a certain amount of joy from the knowledge that my children have put some thought and effort into getting a present for me, irrespective of the actual gift. I like gifts and surprises, of course. But knowing they were and are thinking of me fondly is truly the best part.

do the pound shops sell mini plastic ten-pin bowling sets?

They may do. I wonder. It might not even be a disposable present; Mum used to play skittles when she volunteered at the home for people with dementia.
She might be up for a couple of games on the carpet.

Then again, she'd be the one setting them upcollecting the ball and having to get up and down.
That would piss her off quite quickly, when it's actually for his benefit. Maybe she could get the twins involved when they come round. She always says he completely ignores them.

An answer from Mum re the bowling alley question.
Bless.

Poor Mum. She told me last night that Dad can no longer remember their wedding day. She said she knows she shouldn't be upset about that, but it was so important to them both, and such a happy day. Given it was so long ago, she'd hoped he'd retain it as a memory for longer. I said some soothing things, but it's so hard for her.

Srtill, in minor but better news, bought Mum a Miss Army Knife from the carboot sale yesterday.
As Carruthers pointed out, it does not have a device to remove stones from horses shoes. But then I suspect the mirror will be more useful to Mum.
50p.

Nope, it's a spike for splicing stranded rope into itself, like when she's making a noose. ;)

"Miss Army Knife"!

hahahah!! pretty cute!

This has got to be hard on your mum.

Okay, so I didn't end up getting them 100 prizes.
I never really expected to. It works out about 15-16 each, although I have fudged things a little by bundling some of Mum's. I've already admitted I found it harder to buy for Dad.

I haven't wrapped them yet. Following the excellent suggestion that I wrapped in tissue paper to make things easier for Dad to open, I realised it made the wrapped presents more fragile to transport. So I will wrap in the hotel, less potential ripping - I can just bundle things all in with my clothes.

The final reckoning. I may have to ETA this for a bit, as I had nearly finished the list previously - with links for things I thought were worth seeing/ were not easily explained for cultural reasons, when the library computer shut the Cellar down on me. It took me a while to recover, I can tell thee. Especially when I was hearing "We Wish You a Wombling Merry Christmas" for the fourth time.

Mum:
- 1 tin containing 2 smaller tins inside. was tempted to claimn one for my earplugs, but that would only mean I lost all of them at once instead of in pairs.
- 1 tin containing bodywash, facemask, shampooo & conditioner - bought before the cancer diagnosis obvs
- Ant & Dec celebrity masks
- Turkish Delight
- Selection of cards for her to send to friends for birthdays and encouragement - a bit more rudie than they sell in M&S!
- Miss Army Knife
- Queen For A Day inflatable crown - to match Dad's fro his birthday
- Poppy earrings, bought from Harrogate Show in the Summer
- Christmas bauble with body butter inside - bought after I knew she's have chemo to combat dry skin
- Vistaprint items - personalised mailing labels, post-its and notebook
- Diary for appointments - requested as the one I bought her last year was so useful
- Photo of me me me
- Raspberry Schapps with glitter, for when the girls come round
- Shot glasses for same (okay I won these in a raffle)
- Square egg press, put warm egg into it and it makes it into a cube to slice for sandwiches
- Chocolate egg & soldiers
- Decorative owl

Dad:
- Trainset in a tin
- Father Christmas glasses with attached moustache and beard
- Whisky truffles
- Dad's Army socks
- Dad's Army book
- Keyfinder - whistle and it beeps
- Glowsticks - mostly to lay on floor to bathroom when in unfamiliar places
- Glow in the dark tape - may help at home
- Re-usable handwarmers
- Wind-up hedgehog
- Scent spray for bathroom ("No Shit, Sherlock!")
- Tissues printed with £20 note symbols
- Glasses cleaning wipe which can be attached to a keyring
- Tank boiled eggcup with cutter for toast soldiers
- CD of Terry Wogan "Janet & John" stories from the Radio 2 morning show he always listened to

Looks like a terrific haul! Well done on a really interesting and varied selection!

Sent by thought transference

Yes, stuff wrapped in tissue have to be in a sturdier box, which may or may not be wrapped, or a bag. Even a plastic grocery bag will keep tissue wrapping from abrasion with each other, as well as the cold cruel world.

It's like the best stocking ever!