As many of you know, Father's Day is right around the corner, sparking an annual rush for gifts that often do little more than take up room in his already-stuffed closet.
If you're looking to switch things up a bit this year, and move beyond the typical neck ties and golf shirts, then a good place to start might be targeting items that align with some of his favorite hobbies and interests.
Lucky for you, this year has lots of shiny new gadgets that are guaranteed to be a hit, and to help you narrow down one that is as individual as your dad, here's a few ideas in some of the more popular categories that should offer something for even the hardest-to-please fathers.
On-the-Go Entertainment
Whether your dad is a music lover, movie lover, or both, portability is key for every busy dad who likes all his entertainment options close at hand.
If this sounds like your father, let him give the Seagate GoFlex Satellite a spin. This portable hard drive device connects to any Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone or tablet to wirelessly stream media files, music and documents. With 500 GB of storage space, the Seagate GoFlex Satellite is worth every penny of its 200-dollar retail price. He'll have the ability to store up to 300 HD movies, so he can always have his media library on hand for a business trip or car ride with the kids.
Another great gift for media-loving dads is Plantronic's Backbeat GO Headphones. The Bluetooth-enabled buds are wireless, so Dad can slip them in his pocket or briefcase without the usual mess of tangled wires.
Priced at $100, the Backbeat GO Headphones wirelessly connect to any tablet so that Dad can jam his tunes, or listen to his favorite movies without compromising sound quality.
Weather on demand
What dad doesn't love weather talk? Tell your father to turn off the Weather Channel (it is 2012, after all) and turn on his new Honeywell Weather Forecaster.
The wireless weather device is great for home yet sleek enough for the office. It displays both indoor and outdoor temperatures throughout the day, monitors weather forecasts and humidity levels, as well as a calculation of heat index with comfort levels.
The Honeywell Weather Forecaster (priced around $85) even offers a temperature alarm, as well as an ice warning alarm that will certainly come in handy when driving conditions outside merit additional caution.
For a little extra cash, the device will provide weather conditions for up to three remote locations. So Dad will know exactly what to expect for his upcoming round of golf or what to pack for his weekend getaway.
If your dad's more into the classic look for his home or office, you might want to check out the Galileo Weather Station. It's a clock, barometer, and thermometer all in one and features a collection of visually appealing orbs that float according to the rise and fall of temperatures. And at around $60, this weather station is easy on the wallet.
Sporty Gadgets
Sometimes all Dad needs is a ball, a glove and a nice day in the park with the kids to keep him happy. But it couldn't hurt to throw in a little baseball swag this Father's Day.
With the RevFire Baseball Package, Dad will be able to track pitches just like the pros. The set includes two RevFire baseballs and a measurement tool that logs the ball's speed and spin rates. The package will set you back about $350, but for any baseball dad who also doubles as a little league coach, this is the gadget to splurge on.
If your dad enjoys a good day on the green, it would be hard to go wrong with the Callaway upro mx+. The GPS device is a great gift for any golfer looking to gain an in-depth, comprehensive view of his course. The device provides a birds-eye view of each hole, a digital score card and a variety of other features, making this $250 device a hole-in-one gift for the avid golfer.
Relaxing in style
If you're willing to splurge a little this Father's Day, why not surprise your dad with the gifts of all gifts: a luxurious massage chair.
Brookstone's new OSIM uDivine Massage Chair provides a perfect place for Dad to unwind after a long day. A 3D body detection sensor will scan his body's contours to provide a tailored, human-like massage that feels like the real thing. He can even relax with his own tunes by plugging in an MP3 player of iPod to the built-in speaker system.
At $4,000, this chair isn't it cheap, but the full-body massage benefits might just be worth it.
Gifts for the Grill Master
With Father's Day falling conveniently in June, the annual holiday is a perfect reason to invest in a new grill. But with tons of options to choose from (many of which are probably already in his garage), it can be a challenge to find a grill that has something new to offer. Enter the Weber One-Touch Gold Charcoal Grill.
The Weber One-Touch Grill, which sells for around $150, is constructed from sturdy, rust-resistant steel; its three handles are designed to remain cool while your meat sizzles; and there are multiple vents along the top and sides so you can control how hot your coals burn.
The Weber One-Touch Gold Charcoal gets its name from the best feature of all: an automatic cleaning system that's activated with the pull of a lever. So Dad can spend less time cleaning and more time eating.
Got Dad a grill last year? The Pit Boss BBQ Tool Belt has a little bit of everything: bottle opener, and an assortment of pockets, loops and buckles for his BBQ tools (beer pocket included). At $69, it's the perfect companion for any designated grill master.