Mother’s Day is a big day. Macaroni necklaces, sweet cards, and breakfast in bed are popular for a mom, along with any number of restaurant lunches and thoughtful gifts. But when Father’s Day rolls around, a lot of children struggle with gift ideas for Dad. This year, get him something he’ll love, from BBQ team logos to the latest electronic gadget he’s been drooling over.
The key to finding the perfect gift that expresses your love and appreciation is to know something about what Dad’s interests are. For some reason, it can be difficult to know what he would most enjoy, so you’re lucky if Dad is vocal about his interests and hobbies.
Interests and hobbies are the best places to start. If he can use your gift while doing something he really enjoys, you’re on the right track. Many men consider themselves King of the Grill and love to set out perfectly grilled meats, veggies, and fruits for an outdoor spread. Maybe that love of grilling is combined with a love of tailgating for a favorite team. Marry the two by buying him a grill that sports his favorite team’s logo in full color. Also welcome are new grilling implements to replace old, broken, or worn tools, or something he doesn’t yet have.
If your dad doesn’t have a particular sport, hobby, or leisure activity, your job is a little harder. You’re going to have to know something about his inner life to know what he would appreciate. Does he read a lot? Is he interested in politics? Does he pride himself on his exquisitely trimmed facial hair? Does he know everything about the latest electronic gadgets and computer software? Choosing something that will align with his interests will certainly please him more and show that you are paying attention to him far more than a very generic gift.
But, in the end, a generic gift is better than nothing at all. Try to stay away from clichés, like the tie or the socks. They’re useful, but it’s been done over and over. If you’re going to choose something more general, at least go for some novelty. If he uses his computer for work, find something that will make his day a little easier or more amusing: a car-shaped computer mouse, for instance, or a wireless stock market monitor he can prop on his desk for easy viewing. And, hey, some dads appreciate a gift of cash or a gift card so they can buy exactly what they want (this is especially good for men who have very technological likes, so much so that you don’t have the level of education needed to find a thoughtful gift in that arena).
So, whether it’s a BBQ team logo or a gift card, don’t neglect to say thank you to Dad this Father’s Day. If nothing else, write him a thoughtful and sincere card.