Christmas time is a time for family, togetherness, celebrations and gifts. When making your gift list, you may find that getting the perfect gift for Dad can pose quite a challenge, especially because you want it to be special and meaningful. Here are some gift ideas to buy or create for Dad that suit nearly every budget and preference.
1. Gadgets as Superb Christmas Gifts for Dad
For fathers who love to be in touch with the latest that technology offers, gadgets and gizmos are a great Christmas gift idea. But how to find out what’s hot? One way is to take a look at Digital Trends 2009 Holiday Gift Guide which offers ideas on holiday tech trends, buying tips on retail electronics, and gadgety stocking stuffers. Another place to look is CNET Reviews Top 10 Must-Have Gadgets or their category-specific lists for camcorders, gaming, etc. Gadgets are an especialy great gift idea if they connect with Dad’s hobbies, such as the latest digital camera for a photography enthusiast.
2. Clothes and Personal Care Products Still Popular Gifts for Fathers
Clothes and personal care products can make great gifts too simply because these are items that are used by every father. Moreover, as children, we usually know Dad’s size and preferences and that makes shopping much easier. However, do something different and don’t just buy him any sweater or aftershave. For instance, an aftershave by Ralph Lauren may cost a lot but will be worth it. Alternatively, give him a photo tie with pictures of all the kids or grandkids. The idea is for the gift to be unique yet useful.
3. Magazine Subscriptions and Game Tickets as Great Dad Gifts
Most fathers enjoy reading about sports or watching the games and so game tickets or subscriptions to a favorite magazine or two can be a great present for the sport-minded Dad. Another great sports-related gift idea for a father may be to get coveted seats at the games or a series of recordings of games that he really enjoyed.
4. Handmade Gift Ideas for Dad
Dads generally love gifts that are handmade or homemade, especially if they show we really know what he likes. Nancy Twiggs in Celebrate Simply shares a beautiful idea of giving her father a 6-month supply of homemade yeast rolls as a birthday present. Each month, she would bake a batch and take it hot and fresh to share with her father. If baking is not your cup of tea, maybe embroidery or knitting or writing is. So, embroider his initials on a set of handkerchiefs or knit him a sweater or write him a poem and watch his face light up as you give him his Christmas present.
5. Gifts of “Experience” as Wonderful Presents for Dads
A gift of “experience” is simply one where you give Dad an experience of some kind rather than buying an object for a present. For instance, give him a long overdue vacation, indulge him with a day at the spa, or simply spend some father-child time together doing what he loves the most. Experience gifts are great gifts because they allow dads to spend time doing what they enjoy. Moreover, they create memories that last forever and for the environment-conscious are an ideal choice since gifts of “experience” will not fill up overflowing landfills.
Personalizing Gifts as a Special Touch
Personalizing gifts adds to the charm of a Christmas gift for fathers. One way to personalize gifts is by getting them monogrammed or hand-stitched or even custom-styled. A dress shirt or a sport’s duffle bag with Dad’s initials monogrammed on it becomes even more special. Sometimes personalizing an item is expensive, but often this extra touch is at a suprisingly low cost. Another way to personalize a gift is add a thoughtful message or loving words to a picture frame, a watch, or a desk set. Things Remembered specializes in personalizing Christmas and other presents and is a great site to look for more ideas for gifts for fathers.
While this list is by no means complete, it is designed to give sons and daughters some gift ideas for getting meaningful, thoughtful presents for fathers. So, do use it to find a great Christmas gift for Dad and let him know how much you love him. For more gift ideas for other family members, do read Great Personalized Gifts for Moms, Top 5 Christmas Gifts for Him and New Baby Gift Baskets.
Source:
Twigg, Nancy. Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2006.
Hi Prerna, I am planning to give my dad a watch on his birthday. Is there any other recommendations?
I got my dad a golf ball of the month membership. The only gift he actually ever used.