Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you may start to think about what you’re going to get the dad (or dads) in your life in a day or two. For your sake, I hope you already have this thing buttoned up. But if, despite your best intentions, you are still in a holding pattern, I may be able to lend a hand.
Disclaimer--I am a first-class, top-notch, award-winning procrastinator. Case in point, I have been planning to write and post this blog for two weeks now. To be fair, this is only due in part to the fact that I am decision-making impaired. I know I am not alone in this. I am part of a larger group of people--no longer I; it is we.
Some of what we face as people who put things off until the last minute is the same as what regular people face; we get busy and sidetracked with work, school, kids--life. And here we are again with just over a week to go, empty handed, empty minded with nothing to give our fathers, husbands, or baby daddy’s on Father’s Day.
I’m afraid it’s not too original, but I’ve put together a list. This is not one of those ultra cool top 20 never before seen or heard of must have wtf is that but I have to have it for my dad lists. The research on that would have to have been started several months ago (refer to personality disclaimer). I spoke with some of our staff to get some of their ideas. And although I did take the easy way out on this, the results are useful and practical. You may not get that ever-so-useful link to a bow tie made from some recycled, free-trade, gluten-free, vegan-friendly (in case you want to eat it), environmentally-safe, organic wonder material, but if you’re looking for some real-world suggestions that range from $ 0 to Sky, take a look.
Take him fishing. If your dad is a fisherman, this is a great suggestion. Of course the length to which you participate in this depends on you and your relationship with your dad, but there are many great options and opportunities here. Tammy’s suggestion, for example is low dollar investment but yields high returns. She plans to take her dad out on her paddle boat on the family pond for an afternoon of fishing. Add a few cans of beer or a bottle of wine, depending on taste, and the fish don’t even have to bite; it’s a recipe for a perfect day. As with any recipe, you can season to taste; from Tammy’s tranquil family pond to ocean fishing Hemingway style and everything in-between, if your dad is a fisherman, what have you got to lose?
Go to a concert. My first thought when Whitney suggested this was "Nope." My dad and I don’t have the same taste in music, and the only type of concert that came to mind, at least initially, was the Hollywood Bowl style--you know the kind... packed with bodies and noise, never mind the loud music. But if you dial it back a bit, lower the sound, take it local, and thin the crowd, I believe my dad and I just may have some common ground after all. We could both twang out to some bluegrass; we are Appalachian-Amercicans after all. Regardless of taste, concerts take on all shapes; from small local venues to the Sydney Opera house, music with dad sounds like a winner.
Take him golfing or to go a ball game. I can't attribute this to one person as several people actually suggested it. If you have the type of dad who is into golf, you know that this one can get tricky because when someone really loves golf, it’s best not to get involved. However, if dad has a more casual relationship with the sport, get out to the driving range, hit some balls and have a blast. As for baseball, if you’re lucky enough to live near a major league park, the cost is still reasonable, even if you throw in a few dogs and some beer. Minor league parks can be just as fun. Take a mit; maybe you’ll catch a foul ball--instant souvenir. Play ball!
Take a hike. No surprise this suggestion came from our outdoor enthusiast, Shelley. It doesn’t have to be a hike, but getting outside for some fresh air and a bit of exercise is the fundamental idea. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find the type of trail or path that suits your own particular, or peculiar, fancy. For example, from my front door, if you head west for 10 miles, you can park your car and join fellow hikers on the Appalachian trail; if you head northeast for about 5 miles, you can walk a nature trail rife with wildflowers, birds and butterflies--complete with markers and descriptions.
When I approached our staff in preparation for this blog (yes, only moments before I began to write it), I asked each of them what they would get their dads for father’s day if money were no object. The results were unexpected. I am a bit of a smarty pants myself and I can’t say for sure how I would have answered, but unsolicited, each and every one of these people--metaphorical blank check or pile of money in hand--chose to spend time with their fathers; most of them chose to do so at a relatively low cost. It takes a lot, but I was both surprised and impressed.
As for me... I'm still considering my options.