Father’s Day is just around the corner. It’s that one day a year that we take an extra few minutes to celebrate all of the special men in our lives. It’s a great time to let these men know what they mean to you. Whether it’s your dad, the father of your children, your granddad, a favorite uncle, godfather, stepfather, or any other man who has made a special place in the heart of your family, now’s the time to honor them. Here are some fun ideas for great gifts that those great guys will enjoy!
Guy Films – Does the guy on your list hold a special place for John Wayne, kung fu movies, or just any action adventure film. Treat him to a favorite video or two. As a special bonus, offer to watch the movies with him and pop the popcorn!
Something for the Commute – Does your dad drive long distances, fly or take a train to work? If so, consider giving him a book on tape. It’s a terrific way for dad to catch up on some reading and you’ll be helping to lower his stress level. Research shows that listening to a book while waiting in traffic helps to reduce anxiety during a long commute.
That’s the Ticket – Is Dad a baseball fan? Does Uncle Leo want to see a concert? Would Grandpa enjoy an evening at the symphony? Spring for a couple of tickets to any one of his favorite events. Anything from moto-cross races and movies to grandstand seats for opening day at the racetrack are and option.
Car Wash – Not every dad has time to wash his car as often as he would like. Give someone on your list this terrific time saver. Wrap up the certificates with a couple of car fresheners or a travel first aid kit for a cute touch. If your kids are old enough, have them make their own car wash coupons – a great gift for dads, granddads and uncles alike.
Sporting Goods Store – Whether he enjoys basketball, tennis, golf or soccer, there’s bound to be something he’ll like at a sporting goods store so a gift certificate will be appreciated. Wrap the certificate with a refillable sports bottle, a pre-made sports drink, a sleeve of golf balls or the most recent copy of a sports magazine.
Do-it-yourself Stores – Maybe that great guy on your list needs a new hose, plants for the garden or something else for around the house. Some home improvement stores now offer a register. Encourage him to sign up, so you’re not guessing what he needs. Another option is to give him a gift certificate and let him do the shopping. Some fellas love to wander around the do-it-yourself store and that just may be the best part.
On-line Ideas – You can find just about any gift on the Internet. Here are some sites to get you started:
4FathersDay.com – This site offers some unusual alternatives to the “dreaded ties.” As part of the 4anything.com network, this site offers an easy-to-navigate, one stop shop for gifts to make dad smile.
NabiscoGifts.com – Want to appeal to Dad’s snack side? You can get him a giant Planters can stuffed with cookies, candy, crackers and nuts. They are always changing their assortments.
GiftCertificates.com – Even if Dad is hard to shop for, you’ll probably find something he’ll like from the Father’s Day assortment on this web site. They offer a variety of merchandise including Banana Republic, Sharper Image, Omaha Steaks and even movie tickets.
Customized Coupons – Would dad like an hour of your time weeding the garden? How about offering a Saturday afternoon to vacuum and wash dad’s truck? Is it your turn to take the dogs for a walk? Can you get behind the lawnmower? Does the grill need a cleaning? Could grandpa use a hand cleaning out the garage? There are tons of tasks that dads perform all year long. Package all of these chores together into a personalized coupon booklet. As an extra touch, don’t include an expiration date.
A Special Gift – If you’re still at a loss as to what to get Dad for this Father’s Day, perhaps the best gift you can give him is the gift of time – your time. It’s our most precious resource. Take in a movie together or go out on the golf course. It really doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you’re together
No matter which gift you choose, the most important part is the note of thanks you’ll attach. Be certain to have your children write their own personal note of thanks and appreciation as well. Happy Father’s Day!
Claire Yezbak Fadden is a free-lance writer and the mother of three sons.