Fathers' Day Gift Guide

Fathers' day is a tricky one. Unlike moms, who are often very receptive to the fool proof formula of flowers or fancy soaps, dads can be a bit harder to please. Most father's day gift guides revolve around a presumed love of golf, or whiskey, or ties. The thing is, not all dads golf and very few are fanatical enough about the sport to appreciate golf-themed paraphernalia. Same goes for whiskey and ties.

My father, for example, is notoriously hard to impress with presents, in part because he is constantly trying to eradicate clutter from his house. It seems like most dads -- and most of us -- could do with a little less clutter this year, a little less stuff. There are so many gifts that you can give your dad that cost nothing or nearly nothing, that will likely please him every bit as much as a cookie-cutter bottle of aftershave. This year, instead of plonking down a hefty sum on designer alcohol or an impractical silky caravate, consider a slightly more off-beat -- dare I say holistic? -- token of your love and appreciation. A few years ago my brothers and I came up with the ultimate gift solution for our dad (who's birthday is in early July, making him a prime candidate for a 2-for-1 fathers' day-birthday gift.) We built raised beds in his backyard and planted him a garden of tomatoes, cukes and herbs, which we we replant each summer with new seedings as his gift. Works a charm!

Most likely, anything you give your dad will mean something to him, especially if you tuck in a nice card or even head over to spend the day with him. But here are a few gift suggestions that might mean more to him than something he could pick up himself next time he's in the airport at duty free. It's the thought that counts -- so try and really put some thought into it, and give your dad whatever it is that will make him smile.

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Beyond the Gym: Many dad-types I know are constantly trying to stay in shape or shape up. Why not turn introduce your dad to a new form of exercise? Trying a new form of physical activity can be deeply rewarding, even if it doesn't 'stick' or become your dad's go-to work-out. It's kind of like eating cereal with your non-dominant hand -- a great way to engage your brain. You could set your dad up with a private lesson at a his local yoga studio or a pack of beginner's classes or even an instructional dvd. He might be particularly tickled if the sport in question sounds somewhat obscure -- like gyrotonic or tai chi. If those sounds a bit posh for your dad's taste maybe give him a badminton or petanque set instead.

We want your Father's Day Stories! Tell us about what your father means to you.

Comments

[Val49]

I talk to my parents everyday some times 2 or 3 times a day but before I hang up I always say "I love you" I love my parents unconditionaly and they love me the same, when I was diagnosed with MS in 2007 they were right there and every time I go to the doctore or hav emy early MRI they are right there its nothing I would not do for them, BUT this year for fathers day I bought my father a beautiful beautiful card and I bought him a GPS system, I hope he enjoys it.

[NHBill]

I know he will!

[larry278]

Even before I became a father, I saw no reason for another wretched, Hallmark holiday, Father's Day. Fight the recession/depression by ignoring Father's Day. If I want something, I buy it. No thanks, kids. Save the money for yourself.

[NHBill]

It's a day for hugs and kisses, not retail sales.

[AngieMom57]

Joachim de Posado's "Don't Eat the Marshmellow" on TED sez it all in five minutes:

http://www.ted.com/search?q=Joachim+de+Posada%3A+Don%27t+Eat+the+Marshmallow&x=0&y=0

Time well spent by father's and the mother's that made them that way ;-)

[Diogenis]

I look for the day when we will celebrate Parent's Day! Forget the gifts. Every day is an opportunity to show love...emotionally/spiritually.......not with gifts.

[NHBill]

As a Dad can I help out here?

We want your time!

Spend some quality time with your Dad not your money.

Or spend your money on travel to where your Dad is.

Spare us all that junk that's on sale this week!

[Diogenis]

.We agree!

[LordMoon]

Maybe your Dad already knows Tai Chi? Not only that maybe, he's studied several different styles of Kung Fu, from Piqua, to Baji, to Islamic Long fist, along with Chen, Yang and Wu style Tai chi. Maybe he spends his time when he's not with you in meditation, and practising his Chi Gung. Maybe the roots of his practice go deep, to the roots of the earth, and far into heaven.

And maybe, to come to grips with the reality that many men experience on Fathers day, it would be nice if Dad would have a visit on fathers day?

There are many thousands of men in Jail in this country for non payment of child support, who can't see their kids on fathers day, because courts won't enforce visitation orders. Men who have been stripped of everything they own, including the fruits of their hard work, and yet have no significant role in their children's life.

And if you know one of those fathers, then spend some time, supporting him, and praying with him, that some day, this society will stop turning fathers into felons, for financial reward.

[Diogenis]

The legal system is not fair...to fathers.

[AuntiepoppyCock]

tai chi looks cool. my father is always saying he's gonna ride his bike. Wish I could buy him no non-sense robot bike riding drill instructor.


what's up with that a bust of Lenin on the last page of photos?

[bragladish]

it's too bad there isn't a deadbeat fathers day... then you'd really see a spike in sales around the country... lol...

[NHBill]

sad

[CrazedSurfer]

The best gift - Give him time. Tell him to go what what he would like for the day.

Do not tell him what is he going to do such as get together with the family. If he wants to do that then he'll choose so.

For me, I'll be surfing with friends all day. No wife, no children, no pets, no job, no responsibilities just good old fun with my buds.

[NHBill]

No children on Father's Day?

"fun with my buds"?

Some boys never grow up.

[socalcde]

My dad is an avid golfer, and even though he never wanted any kind of golf-themed paraphernalia, at this point in his life, he has been given it all ,and gotten rid of it all. I wish I were able to spend the day with him, but I'm on the west coast, and he's on the east coast, so I am sending him specialty foods that I know he enjoys. I have heard him mention more than once how good marshmallows were when he was young because people used to make there own, and I found a local bakery that makes fresh flavored mashmallows, so I'm sending some of those, as well as some pickallily that I made from my grandmothers recipe, some homemade peach jam that I made, and some very special aged cheese. I'm going to tell him that someone mentioned taking him to a Yoga class, because I know he'll get a big laugh out of it.

[Wilsonv]

This is the funniest thing i;ve seen.

Headline "what to give your dad.."

But the news ribbon on top the item right above the headline says, "Dinner with Monica Lewinsky.."

My dad isn't Bill Clinton.

[Pye Ian - Huffpost Blogger]

The best gift to give your fathers - especially if their aged - is attention and appreciation. Reconfirm their self esteem. Forgive them for past qualms. Appreciate how much pressure there is on men in this culture to 'perform', and remind them of their infinite hero status just for bringing you into this world.

Ease their consciences, and remind them of the majesty of the lives they have led, and continue to lead.

Look in their eyes when doing this, as nothing else in life will matter at that instance.


"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them."

- Henry David Thoreau

[EspritDeVoltaire]

Give Dad a bottle of the expensive liquor he would never buy for himself and a few hours to sit back and enjoy a glass or two alone.