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If you listen to the TV experts or look in the magazines, DAD’s are just a bunch of cufflink wearing, booze making , golf playing, remote control loving simpletons who love anything you can add batteries to.
While there may be a bit of truth to that, dad is much more complex than what you can find in the pages of Brookstone or on a morning show. We are simple and impossible to shop for at the same time.
What to get your DAD for Father’s Day is never easy. I tell my kids all I want is a hug and a kiss, my dad wants socks and a bottle of scotch (still does).
Beyond the super expensive “fantasy” gifts, how do you get your DAD something special, that he will like without breaking the bank?
We interviewed over 200 DAD’s from all walks of life and have a few tips for you that might help as you head out to shop for Father’s Day.
Being a dad is hard. The majority of dads we talked to wanted things that make their lives easier, something that gives them a few minutes of peace. Since you can’t wrap a nap, or mom’s “special mouth gift,” we will stick to the things that you can.
Gadgets- Dad’s don’t want random gadgets!
Yes, most dad’s like gadgets, but no, we are not all into the same gadget. There are a lot of morning show experts hawking the vibrating this thing and heart rate that thing for “every dad!!!” We don’t work that way.
What works for one dad may not work for all dads, but every dad has a hobby or passion and these hobbies have gadgets: cooking, biking, fishing, painting, yoga, cars, clay etc. These are the gadgets we want, the things make our free time more enjoyable.
Experiences- Dad likes do to things. As you know free time is something most of us don’t get enough of and a lot of dads said they feel guilty sneaking away to do something special.
Give your dad something to do. This doesn’t have to be a weekend in Vegas or center ice at the Stanley Cup (though I would like both) it can be as simple as a massage, art class, cooking class, sky diving, wine tasting, surfing lesson, manicure, you name it, there are plenty of simple pleasures that you can give dad.
Last week the CPD auctioned off throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game, though the price tag was $350, it is an experience that “baseball dad” would never forget.
What Not To Wear- Dad loves you, and you and you . That being said, as much as we love you, we really don’t want ties, clothes, aprons or hats with your pictures on them. Or things stuff that says #1 Dad, etc. If you get us these, then we “have to wear them” as beautiful as you all are, we would rather have a picture in a frame for our bed side, office, man cave, yurt, than on a tie or even coffee mug.
The dads we talked to said these gifts make us feel guilty and they are normally only whipped out at family events or at night when nobody can see you. Spare us the angst and stay away from the tie with the baby on the potty.
Gift Cards– A majority of the dads we talked to agreed that a gift card is the kiss of death to give mom, but something we would love to have. It gives us the freedom to go to Lowes, The GAP, Hobby City, Scuba World, Lululemon or Binny’s and get what we really want. We get to look for what we want on our own time and still have it come from “you.” A gift card to dads favorite place will not insult him.
King For A Day- One of the most relaxing and memorable Father’s Day’s I ever had was when my family made a plan for me to do my favorite things. A lot of times dad is the decision maker on where you are going, what you are doing, and on and on and on.
A few years ago, my wife and kids let me sleep late (8:00), I woke up to hugs and kisses, got to go for a bike ride, came home to a cup of coffee, they left me alone to poop, they had paddle boards waiting on the beach, a picnic, ice cream, I stepped on a hornets nest, went into anaphylactic shock, they got me my medicine (very quickly) and I slept for 14 hours! A great day!
While I don’t recommend almost dying, the thought that went into everything to make sure I was having fun and relaxing was better than a solar meat thermometer.
Before you head out to get DAD that perfect gift, take a minute to get to know him, his likes and hobbies. Chances are just by looking in the garage, closet, man cave or through his magazines, you will get a great head start on a gift that he will like and use.
Don’t forget to like DAD ALL DAY on Facebook, click here.
Friday we will have our “must have” gifts from the dads we interviewed.
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