Unique and Meaningful Father's Day Gift Ideas

It's almost that time of year again. A time when we honor our creators for the manly, baby-making, beer-drinking, baseball-coaching and gas-passing dudes that they are. Yes it's father's day. It's a day for us as children (and you all are) to say "I love you" and show our fathers (or father figures) that we really do appreciate everything they have done for us. I like to take this opportunity to not only say "I love you dad," but to show it with a unique and meaningful gift. There are gifts besides a new tie that will make a real impression. Good gift ideas are often hard to come by without some serious thought about the recipients interests and hobbies. This list might provide a well needed spark to light the idea fire for a unique and meaningful gift for dad this Father's Day.

Hey! It's father's day, time to re-new dad's subscription to Sports Illustrated and call it a day. While that is a good idea, I think you can do better. What about tickets to see his favorite sports team play? A day at the ballpark, catching foul balls and drinking $9 beers is no doubt memorable. If that is not an option, a visit to a sports museum or even a hall-of-fame is something he will cherish far longer than twelve new magazine issues.

So dad likes to get nostalgic and talk about his days as a dead-head: following Jerry across the country while smoking doobies in his Birkenstocks. Don't worry, he's not alone. Dad's like these need something more than a new CD or an instrument. Go the extra mile this fathers day. Buy tickets to attend a concert of one of his favorite bands (or cover band). This could be something fun you would both enjoy. If it's not a concert, even some old, one-of-a-king band memorabilia from Ebay could be the gift that sends dad back to his glory days, and he will thank you for it.

Dad loves to go camping. Dad loves to go fishing. Dad loves to hike. Dad loves to ride a bike. It all rhymes and it's all great. While buying a new fishing rod is a nice gesture, you could do better. If he likes fishing, set up a fishing trip that you and dad can do together in the great outdoors. It can be tickets for a day trip on the ocean aboard a charter boat, or a day out on the lake. If he likes biking or hiking, plan a day where the two of you can enjoy it together. Whatever it is that dad loves about the outdoors, enjoy it with him. If dad needs a gift to feel loved, buy him a gift. But spend the day with him as well.

If your dad spends his weekends building and/or taking apart cars in the garage, have no fear. There are other gift ideas besides a new set of unnecessary tools. A passion for automobiles can lead to a plethora of many simple gift ideas. For Father's Day, arrange a day at the race track. Whether it is motorcross or NASCAR, buying dad a ticket for a big car/motorcycle event will be a great way for you and him to spend Father's Day together. There are even places where, for a small price, you can take some laps around the track in an actual race car. Another option is a car show or old car museum to visit somewhere locally.

What kind of dad doesn't like to barbeque on a Saturday? Not a real one, I say. There are tons of gifts to give that are barbeque related: a barbeque, utenstils, a personalized apron etc. If dad already has every barbeque product under the sun, there is still hope. How about having gourmet meats delivered to his home year-round. Throw a BBQ party with all the fixings and some other dads in the neighborhood. It doesn't necessarily have to be on Father's Day, but organizing and preparing a BBQ fit for a king will make dad feel...uhh, like a king.

If it seems like dad has no life outside the office, maybe it's time he got one. If his neck is always cramping or wrists locking up from carpal tunnel, a day at the spa could be perfect. Sending him to a spa treatment could get expensive, but it will surely show you care. Go to a yoga or meditation type class together to help cleanse his mind, body and soul. Spend the day with dad doing something relaxing together, something that will take his mind completely off work. If none of these ideas work, take him to Hooters...they've got delicious wings.

The idea here is to put some thought into personalized gift giving. Memories from an unforgettable day spent together will last much longer than something off the sale rack at Wal-Mart. If you don't have the time or money to create new memories with dad this Father's Day, Compile a photo album or frame a memorable photograph. It's cheap yet incredibly thoughtful. Any Father's Day gift that is hand-crafted will certainly be held dear to him (and won't cost much for you). These are just a few unique and meaningful gift ideas for dad this Father's Day, or any day for that matter.