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by Nancy Twigg
For many women, the men on their gift list present the biggest gift-giving challenges. If you are having trouble knowing what to get dear old Dad for Father’s Day this year, look over the following list of gift ideas that fall into the category of simple, yet meaningful tokens of your appreciation and love.
Gift of laughter – Is there some old comedian or sitcom that always makes him chuckle? Use your VCR to make a tape of as many episodes as you can record. When you give your gift, include a note instructing him to watch it anytime he needs a good laugh.
Gift of a clean house – If your dad lives alone, housecleaning may not be high on his list of priorities. If possible, surprise him by giving his home a good, thorough cleaning while he is away for a few days. Even if you can’t surprise him, he is sure to enjoy the results when you finish.
Gift of encouragement – Find a special quote or Bible verse that is particularly meaningful. If you are handy with a needle and embroidery floss, create a cross-stitch sampler featuring those words. If not, use your calligraphy skills and put the verse in an attractive frame to sit proudly on his desk at work.
Subscription to his hometown newspaper – This gift may cost a little more but is sure to be a winner. If he no longer lives in the small town where he grew up, purchase a gift subscription to that town’s local newspaper. This gift will help him keep up with the happenings in the place he used to call home.
Dad’s own webpage – Use your scanner and computer skills to create a homepage devoted to all Dad’s many interests. Include pictures of his children, hobbies and accomplishments. Tell how proud you are of him and how grateful you feel to have him as your father. After you’ve uploaded the site with the help of your Internet Service Provider, include the URL in a card telling Dad to visit that webpage for a special surprise.
Several of these ideas are ones that worked well with my own hard-to-gift father. Of course, they can be modified for any other family member—male or female—who presents a gift-buying challenge.
~ Nancy Twigg is a speaker and author who loves inspiring others to live simply and meaningfully. Adapted from Nancy’s book, Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions. For more ideas on simplifying and enriching celebrations, visit Nancy online at www.celebratesimply.com