Choosing gift for Father’s Day is challenging
Father’s Day is June 16 and often, dads can be some of the toughest people to shop for. Many dads go ahead and buy whatever they want for themselves, leaving few practical gift ideas. Some dads are too shy to speak up and say what they’d really like as a gift. For many families, Father’s Day is also a time to honor grandfathers, greatgrandfathers and, of course, stepfathers.
For many dads, the best gift of all is simply time spent together as a family in a place where everyone feels comfortable and can have fun together.
Here are some ideas for Father’s Day gifts — some for the dad who has everything, some for the lowtech dad and a few other ideas that can be tailored to fit any dad.
1. A Netflix subscription. Many older parents think this kind of technology is too difficult for them to operate. But, with a little patience and the right equipment setup, you can fix your dad up with all the streaming entertainment he could ever want.
You may also have to
buy a Blu-ray player or other device that has the Internet connectivity required for Netflix to play on your television. Obviously, dad will need Internet access for this gift idea to work.
2. A cellular phone upgrade. Forget about apps, is your dad’s phone even “smart”? If dad is still stuck in the flip phone age, put him on your phone plan and hook him up with a sweet smartphone. Even if it takes him months to learn how to use the phone, for many retirees, it’s something interesting and unusual to pass time with.
3. The gift of comfort. Dads often have plenty of polo style shirts, ties and socks. But he’ll love a nice, high quality pair of house shoes, such as a pair of Ugg Alder slippers, sold at Dillard’s. Crocs also offers some lightweight, comfortable and updated styles for men. Dillard’s carries select styles or go online to www.crocs.com.
4. A storm shelter. No explanation needed on this one, if you’ve been in Oklahoma during the past few weeks. Precision Shelters in Oklahoma City said an inground garage shelter costs from $2,895, sheltering six to eight people and $4,295, sheltering 10 to 12 people.
5. For the dad who loves to read, the gift of a handheld reader such as a Nook or Kindle is a winner. Preload the gift with electronic versions some of your dad’s favorite books and magazines.
6. If your dad likes to be crafty and have a drink or two, home-brewing kits are quite popular. Beer brewing kits start about $40 and the ingredients vary in cost, said a representative from The Brew Shop, 3624 N Pennsylvania Ave. Brewing permits are required from the ABLE Commission for home brewing of beer or fermenting wine. A new twist on the home beer brewing industry is kits for turning vodka into gin. These kits do not involve distilling alcohol. It’s important to note that distilling alcohol is illegal in Oklahoma. In fact, possession of even an unused, table top “still” is a felony, said Capt. Joe Daniels of the ABLE Com- mission. Gin making kits are available at homemade gin.com. Daniels said this is perfectly legal, since the kit involves adding ingredients to an already distilled product to change the flavor, essentially amounting to a mixed drink.
7. Upgrade his scent. Dolce & Gabbana has two new men’s scents, both deliciously formulated to appeal to various guys’ lifestyles. D&G Pour Homme is a warm, heady blend with notes of orange, lemon, bergamot, lavender, sage, sandalwood, tobacco and cedar. D&G The One Sport is perfect for the athletic, sporty dad. Its clean, light fragrance has notes of rosemary, water, sea salt, sequoia wood, cardamom, patchouli, musk. Another sexy men’s fragrance is Acqua Essenziale by Salvatore Ferragamo, a refreshing, elegant scent with citrus, geranium, patchouli and light musk. All are sold at Macy’s.
8. Gift of love from a little one. Take your little ones shopping for Father’s Day gifts at a dollar store or similar discount store. Let the child pick anything she wants, under a certain price. Toddlers tend to pick adorable things that will definitely bring a smile to dad’s face.
9. If dad is getting older, a comfortable reclining chair with electronic recline function can be a wonderful gift. Some of these come with built in heat and massage options. Find these at Mathis Brothers and other furniture stores.
10. The gift of time. By far, the most men I asked about their hopes for Father’s Day said what they really want most is all their children and family members gathered for a special day of togetherness.