Sunday is Father's Day, which means that between today and Sunday people across the country will be scrambling trying to find that last minute gift for Dad. Trying to figure out what someone wants without directly asking him is hard, and in your desperation you may just pick out the first thing you see. The key to picking out a Father's Day gift is to avoid being generic. If it's something generic, odds are that he already has it. This article will highlight some of the things that children should avoid when shopping for Father's Day gifts.
Cologne
Unless the cologne that your father uses is running low and you are going to buy a replacement, then this should not be an option for you. There are too many different types of cologne out there. You run the risk of picking out something that he won't like and will only use when you are around. In the game of buying a generic gift, this is one of the least safe choices you can make.
Tools
Buying tools can be a nice gift, but you should try and figure out what tools your dad needs rather than just buying a box set and hoping that he gets around to opening it. Try and stick to tools that have use around the house such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers and ratchets. Don't buy your dad a saw if you know he won't have any use for it.
Clothes
Clothes, ties in particular, are a go-to gift for many people around Father's Day. However, a tie can easily be the kind of gift that he never gets around to using. If you purchase clothes, you run the risk of getting something that he just won't like, and clothes are a gift that he can really get himself.
Novelty Items
Unless your father is a collector of these sorts of things or is planning to start, then these aren't a good idea. He wont have much use for shot glasses, bobble heads and paperweights. There are exceptions to this rule however. If your father is a fan of a sports team, then novelty items that have been branded with his favorite team's logo might be a good choice.
Extremely Impractical Gifts
While the general idea of this article is to try and avoid gifts that are too plain, doing the opposite is just as dangerous. It is very possible that in the search for a unique gift, you will end up picking something that is flat out impractical. A lot of stores will be trying to prey on these concerns and push things on you that are just not necessary. Some examples include the USB-powered George Foreman grill, a superhero bathrobe, or a head and eye massager. These aren't your run-of-the-mill gifts. While your father will not be expecting these gifts, the odds are high he won't be using them either.
The Bottom Line
The key to picking out a good Father's Day gift is to be both safe and thoughtful. If you know what your father likes, there is no shame in going to get him a gift card to that store so that he can pick out something that he would want. Another thing you should do is keep your eyes open for subtle hints. He might be trying to tell you something when he makes a complaint about something not working around the house or how he reacts to a certain commercial on TV.
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