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Has your hunt for father"s day gifts ever collapsed into
feelings of resignation that dad will just have to make do with
one of the tried and true items from previous years? Does
finding the right gift for dad seem to take too much time and
effort?
Selecting just the right gift is an important way to say you
care, and it’s not so difficult as it might appear.
Some people give up before they really get started considering
what to buy, because historically their efforts have been
frustrating. So dad gets a shirt, a tie, socks, or maybe a book,
because they"re the obvious choices and he hasn"t complained
about those gifts in the past.
But it"s the rare dad that will even hint that the gift is not
needed or desired. Most will make something of a fuss over the
gift and express copious amounts of gratitude. But did he really
want another shirt? Maybe. And maybe he even liked the style and
color. Or maybe he is resigned to getting the same range of
items for father"s day, year after year. Low expectations can
temper disappointment.
So who will break the cycle of dull, predictable repetition?
Looks like it will have to be you! And if you"re ready to do so,
please realize that you"re not taking on a giant challenge. In
reality, gift buying for dad has never been easier. Online
shopping is safe and secure, fast, and there are enough options
to suit any need, interest or taste.
And in those three words -- need, interest, taste -- lies the
key to your choice, along with the always-relevant term, budget.
Get those four concepts aligned and you can"t go wrong. Three
out of four wouldn"t be awful either, so long as taste is
included in the mix.
DAD"S NEEDS
So let"s be clear: if a shirt is the right gift for dad, then a
shirt it should be. But before making any decision, consider
these points. First, unless dad relies on you to stock his
wardrobe, then clothing should be only one of many options in
the equation. Second, if you bought clothing more often than not
in the previous few years it could be time for a change.
So spend a few minutes reflecting on your purchase history. Have
you fallen into a rut? Have you been too predictable?
Then consider his range of needs. If you don"t have the
knowledge to do that, get some help from other family members or
friends. If he has no needs, then you will have to go with these
other three concepts.
DAD"S INTERESTS
What does dad do with his time, and what does he say he would
like to do? Has he talked about learning to fly fish or roller
blade? Or does he stick to tried and true activities? All dads
have at least one special interest, even if it"s just watching
every sports event that appears on TV. And if that"s the case,
selecting from an array of items from his favorite team is a
sure way to please him.
Here"s a critical point about interests. Never, ever project
yours on to him. Doing so can lead to big problems. For example,
if he hasn"t directly expressed a desire for a pet, buying him
one is a substantial risk. Again, if you"re uncertain about what
new interests he might have, get some help from others. If you
have siblings, through a discussion about options you might
decide to present dad with a joint gift this year -- a good way
to extend buying power for something that he wouldn"t otherwise
get.
DAD"S TASTES
Even though you may think he should learn to appreciate the
finer things in life like opera, or he should learn to cook
deluxe desserts, gift buying for dad is not about "should." It"s
not about you, except as a way to show your love and respect. So
stick with his tastes in music, books, clothing --whatever. If
he has never worn purple, don"t bother buying it just because
it"s the color flavor of the year.
YOUR BUDGET
Finally, factor all these issues into how much you want to
spend. In this case, tradition might be your best guide.
If you have been buying modest gifts, showing extravagance now
might be unsettling and embarrassing for dad. However, if your
financial situation has improved after years of pinching
pennies, then he will likely accept that your more valuable gift
simply reflects your desire to share your change in status with
him.
In your price range you will find plenty of options, though the
more flexibility you have financially the greater the selection.
Spending big bucks isn"t necessarily the answer, however.
Your gift should simply feel right. If it reflects needs,
interests and taste, the gift will tell him that you cared
enough to consider who he really is. Most dads won"t be
concerned about the dollar value.
Most of all, your dad is likely to care whether you are able to
spend time with him in person or, if you live at a distance, via
phone. That"s a need and an interest you should address first
and foremost. The gift you buy is just a token in comparison to
what you can give of yourself.
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