Just under two months away, 2012’s Father’s Day is set to reproduce the annual dilemma of how to choose the right gift. Father’s Day can be tricky to buy for, with gifts falling between Christmas and birthday ideas. Going for just a card or a gift voucher can be a good way of remembering the day, but can get a bit repetitive over time. Moreover, you might find yourself trying to pick up a last minute gift that is either unsuitable, or has been bought by another sibling. Putting more time into a gift can therefore make for a more memorable day, and can help you to get more of an idea of what to pick up for future birthdays and Christmases. The following list represents a few ideas for picking the right kind of gift for June 17th:
1 – Experience Packages
An experience package can be a great way of going beyond the usual present. They can usually be bought relatively cheaply, and can include everything from paying for a game at a local football team with complimentary extras, through to investing money into a city break. More adventurous packages can also include sports car racing, while more sedate options might include paying for a series of drawing lessons. While varying in budget, an experience package can generate long term value beyond Father’s Day itself.
2 – Tea Mug
Although perhaps not as exciting as a day spent racing cars, a personalised tea mug is one way to produce a more understated gift. Many companies now offer specifically tailored mugs, with options for decoration and messages. With a range of different styles allowing you to shape the mug to your father’s tastes, a mug can be a simple but effective way of marking the day.
3 – Books
A good book is often a reliable idea for Father’s Day. Not too expensive, but also able to demonstrate that you’ve given the gift a bit of thought, a book selection can range from everything from the latest bestsellers to companions to gardening and favourite shows or personalities. Moreover, you might want to invest a bit more in a Kindle reader as a gift that can keep on providing value.
4 – Portable Beer Dispenser
A more unusual Father’s Day gift, a portable draft beer dispenser can be easy to use, and can be made compatible with different keg sizes. Ideally something that you can share with your father. A beer dispenser is also recommended if you want to share the cost of a Father’s Day gift with siblings, although this probably also means chipping in towards the cost of additional kegs.
5 – Gardening Tools
Again, not the most thrilling gift for some people, but something that is always appreciated if needed. Helping your father to stock up on different tools can be another simple and practical idea to bridge birthday and Christmas presents. Providing something someone needs, and showing that you’ve gone to the trouble of working out what that might be, is preferable to trying to second guess what someone’s likes with a general gift.
Liam o’Hegarty is a writer for Clinton Cards, the on stop shop for personalised cards and gifts. Liam is also an avid blogger on many other subjects from technology to business development.