Father’s Day is June 15 and some of us are scrambling to come up with a more unique gift than the expected tie. Dads view themselves as providers. They are not as likely to speak up when it comes to their desires. In an attempt to come up with a great idea for a gift for my husband, I took an informal survey of men that I knew. My findings were surprising and interesting. Here are five unique suggestions.
1. Help clean out the garage/attic.
I was told that a clean garage or attic was at the top of almost every dad’s list, but tackling the task alone just seems too daunting. They dread the complaints that come with asking their kids to help. After all, who wants to spend the day hearing “When will we be done?” One dad actually said it is easier to deal with his wife’s nagging than to deal with forcing the kids to help.
Sometimes the best gifts can be free. Offer to help dad clean out the garage or attic. The added bonus is an opportunity to possibly find a treasure and learn something about your dad that you never knew. (Or even better, learn something that you wish you never knew.) If you want to surprise your dad, but are not sure how to get started, check out this garage cleaning checklist.
2. Grilling out.
The grilling wish was a common reoccurrence in my informal survey. Although there were variations on this idea, the consensus was that men love grilling, PERIOD. They love to receive grills, grilling tools, and meats of all kinds that they can grill up. Grilling.com has a list of creative grilling gifts, if you need some inspiration.
However, more than anything they love grilling with their family around. Just having everyone show up for a family afternoon in the yard grilling is enough to make any dad happy. You can’t beat another free gift at the top of many dads’ lists. Clean out that garage, find the old badminton set, and fire up the grill. Just remember it is dad’s day, so he mans the fire.
3. Tools, but not actually tools.
Men love their tools, but not just any tools. I learned that it is ill-advised to purchase tools for dad just for the sake of giving him tools. Dads want to pick the perfect tool for themselves. Unless, you know exactly what brand and model of saw, drill, or worktable that your dad longs to have, you are much better off giving him a gift card to his favorite hardware store.
Surprisingly, men don’t find gift cards impersonal, but that does not mean you cannot personalize your gift card. At GiftCards.com you can order a Visa gift card with a personalized family picture and a matching greeting card.
4. Watches
Most men I spoke with are tradesmen. These men find jewelry cumbersome. However, on occasion they would like to have a nice watch that has not been beaten up by the tools of their trade. Men are also fascinated with wood. I found some unique watches made by Earth’s Watch. Not only are they fashionable, but there are at least 7 reasons why a wood watch is a good investment, according to Earth's Watch.
1. Help clean out the garage/attic.
I was told that a clean garage or attic was at the top of almost every dad’s list, but tackling the task alone just seems too daunting. They dread the complaints that come with asking their kids to help. After all, who wants to spend the day hearing “When will we be done?” One dad actually said it is easier to deal with his wife’s nagging than to deal with forcing the kids to help.
Sometimes the best gifts can be free. Offer to help dad clean out the garage or attic. The added bonus is an opportunity to possibly find a treasure and learn something about your dad that you never knew. (Or even better, learn something that you wish you never knew.) If you want to surprise your dad, but are not sure how to get started, check out this garage cleaning checklist.
2. Grilling out.
The grilling wish was a common reoccurrence in my informal survey. Although there were variations on this idea, the consensus was that men love grilling, PERIOD. They love to receive grills, grilling tools, and meats of all kinds that they can grill up. Grilling.com has a list of creative grilling gifts, if you need some inspiration.
However, more than anything they love grilling with their family around. Just having everyone show up for a family afternoon in the yard grilling is enough to make any dad happy. You can’t beat another free gift at the top of many dads’ lists. Clean out that garage, find the old badminton set, and fire up the grill. Just remember it is dad’s day, so he mans the fire.
3. Tools, but not actually tools.
Men love their tools, but not just any tools. I learned that it is ill-advised to purchase tools for dad just for the sake of giving him tools. Dads want to pick the perfect tool for themselves. Unless, you know exactly what brand and model of saw, drill, or worktable that your dad longs to have, you are much better off giving him a gift card to his favorite hardware store.
Surprisingly, men don’t find gift cards impersonal, but that does not mean you cannot personalize your gift card. At GiftCards.com you can order a Visa gift card with a personalized family picture and a matching greeting card.
4. Watches
Most men I spoke with are tradesmen. These men find jewelry cumbersome. However, on occasion they would like to have a nice watch that has not been beaten up by the tools of their trade. Men are also fascinated with wood. I found some unique watches made by Earth’s Watch. Not only are they fashionable, but there are at least 7 reasons why a wood watch is a good investment, according to Earth's Watch.
Earth’s Watches are made in Waxhaw, NC. They offer a beautifully crafted watch that will give your dad an opportunity to brag on his kid every time someone notices his watch. You may order directly from their website.
5. A book, but not just any book
For the reading dad, a good book is a treasure. There are millions of books and it pays to know what interests your dad. A book that combines his interest with a good story is a sure bet. Here are a couple of suggestions.
5. A book, but not just any book
For the reading dad, a good book is a treasure. There are millions of books and it pays to know what interests your dad. A book that combines his interest with a good story is a sure bet. Here are a couple of suggestions.
Just in time for Father’s Day a book has been released that is a wonderful combination of sports and story. Mark Herzlich’s “What It Takes (Fighting for My Life and the Love of the Game) is the perfect option for any football loving dad. Mark Herzlich is a linebacker for the NY Giants. In his senior year at Boston College he was diagnosed with cancer. While many thought he would never play football again, he fought back and achieved an NFL career. Amazon currently offers free 3 – 5 day shipping for everyone or free 2 day shipping to Prime customers for this book.
For the military dad or history buff, Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken” is an extraordinary read. It has the feel of a dramatic novel, while telling the true story of Louis Zamperini. The book follows his life as he goes from Olympic athlete, to an Army Air Forces bomber in World War II, only to be captured and tortured as a POW, then face the struggles of returning to a normal life after release. Although the movie is scheduled for release this year, the book is so rich and deep in layers that it is unlikely that the full story can be told in a two hour film, making the book that much more special. The paperback edition is currently out of stock, but Amazon is offering free 3 – 5 day shipping for everyone or free 2 day shipping to Prime customers for the hardback edition.