Comments on: Father’s Day: Another tie?

By: Neddy

Neddy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:00:48 +0000

Im late but we gave father a portrait from http://www.canvaspress.com it was from a picture of him and mother when they were young.

By: Sarah Lewis

Sarah Lewis — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:07:07 +0000

My dad’s not local, he doesn’t golf, and I was thinking of getting him a movie (though I like the Netflix idea much better but can’t afford).

This post made me rethink the DVD and taking some inspiration from Etsy, I’m going to make him some yummy candy-type treats and send them. He’ll enjoy them but they won’t make my mom crazy by adding clutter.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:34:53 +0000

My dad and I normally play in a father-son golf tournament each father’s day. Golf is his biggest passion, and he already has far more “stuff” than he wants (he HATES clutter), so this is perfect.

This father’s day will be particularly special for him, because it also happens to be my birthday. I was born on father’s day 22 years ago this Sunday, so every time my birthday happens to fall on that day is extra special.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:18:49 +0000

I’ve always been a big fan of memory gifts as opposed to physical gifts.
My hubby has asked for video editing software. I’m looking for a place to download. Who needs CDs?

My dad is getting a copy of “Go Green, Get Rich.” He loves to read, but doesn’t take the time to pick out his own books.

I wrote a blog about gift wrap options. It’s focused on recycling and reuse. http://greenfamilies.info. Perhaps it will be helpful to those giving physical gifts.

By: PsychMamma

PsychMamma — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:49:32 +0000

My hubby LOVES to get specialty coffee drinks at our local downtown coffee joint, but feels guilty spending the money since we’re down to one income with me staying at home. He’s getting a gift card to the coffee joint, a massage and the day spent however he would like.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:25:14 +0000

If you live a long way from your parents, a PHONE CALL is DEFINATELY the BEST GIFT you can give your parents – unless you can go to VISIT THEM – no matter what the holiday or occasion.

By: Janine Adams

Janine Adams — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:48:22 +0000

Great ideas!

Here’s a link to a relevant article by professional organizer Geralin Thomas on clutter-free gift ideas for father’s day:

http://www.cleverparents.com/2.....thers-day/

By: Amy in Ann Arbor

Amy in Ann Arbor — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:51:02 +0000

My husband is getting a tricked out Mini Maglite flashlight (LED conversion, other doodads) and a tiny Leatherman Squirt multi-tool in a nice sheath that is designed for just that–a small flashlight and multi-tool. I hope he will use them.

My 85-year-old, rocket scientist father died last November. I want to do something this Father’s Day in his honor. Any ideas? All I have thought of so far is a gift of creatures from Heifer International.

http://www.heifer.org/

By: Jeri Dansky

Jeri Dansky — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:46:38 +0000

My dad’s in his 80s and lives across the country from my brother and me. Some of the best gifts I’ve given my dad:

1. Stock in the company I worked for, in my corporate days. Dad follows the stock market avidly.

2. A framed professional photo of me and my brother.

3. A digital photo frame, loaded with old family photos.

By: Looby

Looby — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:25:00 +0000

My dad loves to get ties for gifts, he wears them 6 days a week. On the other hand he hates sports and fishing.
This year my gift to him is picking up some model railway stuff he has ordered- the ultimate clutter? Makes him happy though.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:53:33 +0000

Oh, and to the first post: we often get him socks… it sounds boring, and maybe it is, but I feel like the gift of preventing him from being so lazy that he keeps wearing holey socks is a good gift.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:52:37 +0000

@Lori – at some point you just have to give up on the greeting card industry and make your own cards! You can even recycle while doing it. It’s great to be freed of that industry, and allows you to be really creative if you want (or just get an idea from an e-card online – or send an e-card!)

The last time I bought greeting cards was because I had a gift certificate. Otherwise, I am all about making them

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:19:19 +0000

Maybe this is too late, but last year I did a “7 Days of Father’s Day” for my husband… I don’t remember everything, but a few were:

1 mowed lawn
2 bags of beef jerky
3 favorite candies
4 empty trash cans
(Etc.)

My kids and I did his chores and gave him little surprises all week long, and every day I hung a little tag in the kitchen that said what we’d done or left for him.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:37:58 +0000

My dad gets a big chunk of change every year to go towards his purchase of Lady Vols season tickets (GO VOLS!) With four kids, we manage to give him enough to purchase 4 season tickets and they go on sale during the summer. He enjoys taking his wife and inviting others to attend the basketball games with them.

By: Hippykidz

Hippykidz — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:30:15 +0000

I don’t see my Dad much anymore these days. When the last of us graduated he bought a Harley, He and Mom have been gone ever since. So this year maybe not so personal but very appropo he’s getting a gas card. With fuel prices the way they are I figure it’s more time he can spend doing what makes him happiest.

By: Andamom

Andamom — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:52:21 +0000

We’re replacing my husband’s wallet, making cards, and having a BBQ. Here are some other ideas:

1) Volunteering with him (especially for an organization that helps kids)
2) Visiting a gallery together
3) Cooking a meal together
4) Taking a trip together
5) Offering to help him with a project
6) An investment for his portfolio
7) Cleaning his office, apartment, kitchen, etc.
Painting a room in his home/office
9) A hike in a National or local park
10) Going bowling
11) Checking out a concert
12) Renting a movie that makes you both laugh
13) Taking a helicopter or boat ride
14) Going to a boat, car, etc. show

There are any number of other thoughts depending on his needs and interests… I’m in favor of creativity and thinking outside the box too.

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:13:29 +0000

We are giving my dad a gift catalog of food items—steaks, lobster, chicken breasts, chops, etc because he LOVES to grill.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:11:42 +0000

One idea is a commemorative brick, particularly if it is a fundraiser for something that your parent has a personal connection to. For instance, the organization that I work for is currently doing a brick fundraiser to restore a historic fountain and plaza area in our downtown, and I’ve been surprised by the number of people who have shared memories of the plaza, which used to be a popular gathering spot. The great thing about a brick is that it doesn’t create any household clutter and it is a way for the community to recognize the charitable contribution for prosperity. I’ve noticed that many organizations, such as the women’s basketball hall of fame, animal shelters, and skate parks, do brick fundraisers, so there’s something for every taste.

By: ell

ell — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:44:56 +0000

I’m making my dad/family dinner for father’s day, not only because he likes the dish when I make it, but because it’s less stressful than being in a restaurant (and costs about 1/10th of the price for ingredients versus the restaurant bill). If we went to a restaurant we’d probably spend 1-2 hours there, because staff want the table for new customers, but at home we can stay as long as we want.

By: allen

allen — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:19:31 +0000

We live in Wisconsin, and i got my nature bug from my Papa; this year, i got him a “Birds of Wisconsin” book that contains a CD of their calls, to help identify them.

Guess what i’m saying is: Personal gifts that reflect that you really do know/care about the other person have got to be better gifts, be they consomables, or not. Just becuase it is “nice” or “expensive” don’t mean jack.