My dad is 58 and he's incredibly hard to shop for. He's not into technology, says he doesn't need clothes, doesn't read books, and already has everything he wants at home. His birthday is in October and I have no idea what to buy him without spending a fortune.
Forget about brand-new objects, that's clear. My dad ended up being happy with stuff as simple as a box of craft beers that we'd try together, or when I got him a full car maintenance for the one he already had - it wasn't something new, but it took a weight off his shoulders. What works is thinking about what would make his life a little more comfortable or give him some time to enjoy without any obligations: a nice breakfast somewhere he likes, an afternoon at the stadium if he's into sports, or even specific tools for some activity he already does but is always borrowing from people.
Gifts for people like that work better if you go for experiences or consumables instead of things. Think about something he enjoys doing: does he go for walks, hang out at the bar with friends, cook, fix things around the house? A good gift is usually something that enhances what he already does. For example, if he likes cooking you can give him quality ingredients, rare spices or good oil; if he goes for walks, comfortable boots or a real backpack; if he has drinks with colleagues, a decent bottle without breaking the bank. The important thing is that it's something he'll actually use, not something that just collects dust.
Another option is straight-up experiential: tickets to a match, a concert, dinner at a restaurant he'd enjoy, a class in something he's always been curious about (cooking, carpentry, whatever). That doesn't take up space and memories weigh more than objects when someone already has what they need. If you want something more tangible but don't want to spend a fortune, look for practical stuff: quality tools if he's handy, a good flashlight, a real thermos, things that wear out and need to be replaced.
The most important thing is to ask without him noticing - talk to your mom, your siblings or his friends to find out what he'd actually want. Sometimes people say they're not interested in anything but deep down they have a quiet hobby or something they'd love to try. That way you avoid awkward surprises and you're guaranteed to get it right.
My old man's the same way, so I ended up giving him things that get "used up" - a good bottle, good coffee, tickets to something he'd like 🎸 What often works is thinking about improving something he already does: if he loves coffee, a decent grinder; if he goes to barbecues with friends, grilling tools or a good knife; if he drinks beer, a tasting or a box with brands he doesn't normally try. The thing is it doesn't just sit in the house taking up space - he actually enjoys it and that's it, without the guilt of having "one more thing." What does your dad do in his free time?
Don't do this: buy something just to buy it, something that'll end up in a drawer. Your dad has already told you in different ways: he doesn't have extra mental or physical space for more stuff.
Where these things work best is in what he does day to day. If he goes out for walks, take him to eat somewhere he likes. If he drinks coffee, a bag of that specialty stuff ground fresh (it's not the same as an expensive coffee maker, it's "consumable" but better). If he sees friends, a decent bottle of something he enjoys. Even if he cooks, good soy sauce, rare spices, an olive oil that surprises him. These gifts disappear in a satisfying way, they don't take up permanent space and he enjoys them every time he uses them.
Another angle that a lot of people overlook: improve something he already does but in an uncomfortable way. Does he have a garden chair he likes but it's worn out? A thick cushion. Does he watch TV sitting on the couch but complain about the backrest? A lumbar pillow. Does he spend time on the terrace or balcony? A quality blanket for when it gets cool. These gifts aren't new things he "needs", they're ways to make his life a little more comfortable in the spaces where he already is. And they're probably way cheaper than expensive clothes or technology.
The trick is to ask your mom or someone close to him discreetly what he really needs or what he does in his free time. At 58, most guys who say "I don't need anything" actually have a couple of things they'd love to have but won't buy themselves because they think it's an unnecessary expense. It could be a specific tool for something he does in the garage, decent sneakers if he walks a lot, an accessory for a hobby he already has, or just upgrading something he uses that's worn out.
If after asking you find out there's really nothing material he's missing, then yeah, the other comments hit the mark: experiences or consumables. A dinner at a nice place, tickets to something he'd enjoy, a bottle of something he likes, a service (like car maintenance), are gifts that don't take up space in the house and people enjoy them guilt-free. The important thing is that it's something he's actually going to use or consume, not something you imagine he might like.
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