My new rules of gift giving with my parents are to give them something I know they like to eat, some cheeses, fancy biscuits etc, which make it easier for everyone. My mother is like your Dad, but she used to sew, so she would pick at anything I made, and my Dad just doesn't use any of the fancy things I have bought him, so I stick with this for them. Makes it a lot easier for me.
And, just because your daughters were there, doesn't mean you can't say anything - what are they learning from how he treated you?
I will stand up for myself when my son is there, I want him to learn how to deal with nasty people, there are plenty of them out there . . .