Father’s Day gift ideas

This entry was written on Jun 17, 2009 by our Dad Guru John Valadez

This joyous occasion is coming this weekend and if you are always stumped with the question, “what do you want for father’s day?” Then try giving the family some father’s day gift ideas so you can avoid collecting another “World’s Greatest DAD mug”. Give them something challenging to find like a used hardback edition of “The Sun also rises”, that way, they feel a sense of accomplishment in finding the perfect gift. Try asking for an activity that requires help, like the world’s largest crossword puzzle, so you can get the entire family involved. Throw out a hint for a nice family meal where everyone makes a dish, take pictures and make a scrapbook of the event. A scrapbook can preserve the day and it’s another activity everyone can help in creating.

Whatever you tell the clan, make it an opportunity to build closer relationships and create fond memories.
As always if you have any comments or great Father’s day gift giving tips please share by leaving a comment. Thank you for your time and for reading.

Music makes a good present

Music makes a good and inexpensive gift. Buying your wife audio tapes for her car or CDs for her computer can give her a great deal of pleasure whilst she is running chores or balancing the household finances. Always know what is her favorite music and buy accordingly.

Observance

This entry was written on May 22, 2009 by our Dad Guru John Valadez

Take the time to teach our children what observance means in America. Memorial Day is more than just barbecues and picnics; it’s the one day on the entire calendar that we, as a republic, honor our fallen heroes with a day of observance.

A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. (EST) for sixty seconds.
Please consider observing a minute of silence in their honor.
Enjoy your weekend and have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Gifts for your mom

Don’t know what to buy for your mom as a gift? Start by looking at the appropriate era. Lots of people tend to stay in their favorite era as they grow up. What time period does your mom like most? For an idea, look at her clothes, furniture, ornaments, color schemes, etc. Pick items that reflect that time period. For example, if she reflects the era of the 1940’s, go to an antique store and look at 1940’s brooches. Picture frames, both new and old, are easy to attach to an era.

Gifts from the kids for Mom

IF you help your kids to buy presents for their mom, let them choose what they want to give. Often, a young child will pick an odd present such as a toy or something else that appeals to them rather then something that is suitable for an adult. However, letting them pick out and give gifts like that is letting them express their love to mom. If you interfere and pick out what you think is suitable, the child’s individuality disappears from the gift giving process. Remember, it doesn’t need to be a gift that mom can use that’s important, it’s the time and thought that matters.

Photo frames make good presents

Decorative photo frames are often a good present for your wife as they give two pleasures - the pleasure of admiring the frame and the pleasure of looking at the picture of the kids or family contained within the frame. As an added touch, you may wish to put a great family photo in the frame before you give it to her.

Building a rope swing

If your kids want a swing, the quick and cheap alternative is to make one. All you need are a couple of strong ropes, long enough to hang from a sturdy tree branch and tie to a seat, and something for the seat. This can be as raw as a thick piece of tree branch (ensure it is strong enough to hold their weight). Drill a hole about 4 inches from each end, pass the rope through and tie securely. Tie the ropes over a sturdy overhead tree branch at a distance apart equal to the rope distance apart at the seat. Check the swing area for dangers such as branches sticking out or exposed rocks that the child may land on if they fall off. It is best if the area is grassed all over. Check all knots every few weeks and re-tie where necessary. Also check the rope for frays, especially where it rubs on the overhead branch, and replace immediately.

Feel good kits

Stuck for ideas for buying your dad (or mom) a birthday present? Why not make up a "feel good kit"? Choose an area that they have an interest in, say golf, and then put together a box or basket of items that add to their pleasure in that area. With golf, it may be a humorous book about golf, a shoe cleaning kit, and a new golf towel.

Give high quality gifts

Be very careful about the gifts that you and others give to your babies/toddlers. Ensure that they are safe for the child’s age group and that they cannot fall apart. Many toys are dangerous because they are small enough to swallow or get caught in the child’s mouth, or because they may contain dangerous or poisonous materials).

Present buying for your wife

Stuck for a present for your wife? Always leave it to the last minute to buy her something? Here are a few tips: Always know her size - clothing is much easier to buy when you know what she likes and what will fit her. When you’re both out at the shops and she points out something that she really loves, keep a mental note of it - write down later what it was and what shop it was in. Buy ahead of time - don’t wait until the last moment. Put an entry into your diary to start shopping one month before her birthday, Christmas, etc. If you see something you know she will love, buy it there and then - even if her birthday is 6 months away, buy the item and hide it away.

Buying Presents for Your Kids

If you find it difficult to buy presents for your kids because they are always with you, here are a couple of tips: Buy over the internet (and try to find a site that will bill directly if you are hesitant about providing your credit card details over the net). Shop with a friend who can distract the kids for a little while at a toy shop or on one of those rides that shopping centres have. Whilst they’re distracted you can slip off and make a purchase. Hide the purchase by putting it straight into the car before you return to the kids or by putting it into another shopping bag. If you have to opportunity to shop alone, don’t buy presents one at a time; buy for birthdays and Christmas together if you can afford to.

Away from home

If you travel a lot with your job, sometimes pick up a small momento of where you have been, to give to your children when you get home. It can (and should be) something simple, like a postcard or hotel sample writing pad. But don’t overdo it - don’t build up the expectation that you will always return with gifts every time. Sometimes a phone call in the morning or just before their bedtime, or arriving home earlier then planned can be the best present of all.

Son time

What is the best gift to give your son? Time is the most important gift you can give him. It shows you love and care for your son and builds a deeper and stronger self-image then can ever be gained from material things.

Give what they want

Don’t just give to your daughter girly things. If she wants a plastic tool set or a toy car or a train set for her birthday or Christmas, give her what she wants. Too often we are gender specific in our giving and we narrow the scope of our child’s advancement to what we want or expect them to fit within.

Buy her individual things

Sometimes, buy your daughter something individual, not mass produced. She’ll get enough Barbie dolls and other things from other family members and friends. Look for something that expresses who she is as an individual. Some ideas are: photo frames, book-ends, mobiles (ceiling - not telephone), ornaments, pictures.

Novelty gifts

Is it okay to buy your wife novelty gifts for special occasions? That depends on how she is going to perceive the gift. If there is a chance she will be offended or upset, it is not a good idea to give such things.

Don´t neglect the wrapping

Put almost as much effort into the wrapping as you do the present. Men often like to give their spouse the perfect present that’s sure to please, but often we neglect how it is packaged. However, the packaging is the first impression of thought, effort and love. Putting a little extra into nice / appropriate paper, bow and / or ribbon can make a difference that spells out how you really feel.

Display their gifts

Display your kids gifts to you proudly. Help build their self esteem and sense of ability. Remember they’ve made this for you out of love.

Selecting toys

Don’t know what toys to buy the kids? Let them try before you buy. Take them to a large toystore for a couple of hours and let them explore. You may be surprised at what takes your childrens’ fancy. And it will give you plenty of ideas for presents, both for them, and also for their friends of similar ages.

Give progressive gifts

For a great gift idea, give a series of gifts one or a couple at a time. For example, start a model train collection for your child. However, don’t buy them something that you are not sure that they will like, and choose brands / types that appeal to them. Say, each birthday and Christmas, you give them a couple of items to add to their collection and build it up progressively over time.

Don´t buy it, build it

If your kids want something, you don’t always have to rush out to the shops in order to keep them happy. Try and make what they want. Sometimes. For instance, a request for a cubby house can often be met with some cardboard boxes cut open and taped up. Cut out a window and make an opening door. Your child usually wants just the concept and is not so fussed on the trimmings. Often, making something gives them quickly what they want without the painful wait for them or cost for you.

Buying jewellery

If your wife loves jewellery, don’t avoid buying it just because of the cost. Also, avoid cheap costume jewellery. Look around for sales - there are plenty of jewellers that offer up to 50% off (and sometimes higher) depending on the time of year and how overstocked they are. Be prepared to look all year round and buy when there are specials, even if that means putting the item away for six months until the next birthday. It’s better to do that then start looking a week before and finding there are no specials anywhere.

Electronic toys

Avoid buying too many electronic toys. Many of them tend to reduce the development of imagination in the child, as well as costing you more in time and money in replacing batteries or faulty toys.

Don´t buy appliances

Household appliances don’t generally make good gifts. Unless, your spouse / partner really loves, say, cooking, then the appliance is not something that is going to excite them or make them feel good. It might make that particular part of the housework easier or quicker, but it’s still not a good message-giver. Choose personal items that pertain to your spouse / partner as an individual, not just a housewife, or dinner-maker, or ironer. Choose items that reflect their passions and interests and your love for them.

Wooden Toys

Wooden toys are great for young kids. They’re robust enough to survive the knocks and are, generally, built for long life. Avoid buying second hand wooden toys that are chipped, worn or broken; splintered wood is dangerous in toys. Look for good quality, solid toys. Sometimes, you can buy them unpainted or stained and your child can have added pleasure in painting the toy themselves in their favorite colors.