Father's Day Gift Guide

My dad doesn’t play golf, doesn’t wear ties, and isn’t enamored of new tools. Thus, by the standards of Father’s Day advertising, there is no right present for me to get him. But just because your pops don’t fit that 50s-era mold of fatherhood doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Here are a slew of ideas for Dad, all available at the Freehold Raceway Mall.

It’s important to keep in mind the recipient when gift-getting. For my dad in particular, books are king, and Barnes & Noble is a no-brainer. There are not only books, but DVDs, accessories (I buy him a new lap desk seemingly once a year), and even the Nook ereader, if you have a bit more money to work with.

Clothes are an option for any gift-giving occasion, and dads by nature tend not to love shopping for their own. Some pants or shirts might not be exciting to you, but they will be to Dad. Department stores always have the kind of clothes dads like, but the mall is basically rife with clothing stores, so go with his style. And don’t forget to check his closet for sizes.

By the same token, accessories can make nice little trinkets. Watches, wallets, and sunglasses are all functional, but allow a little wiggle room for adding panache. Try the department stores for a good selection of watches and wallets, or Sunglass Hut for shades. One word of warning: keep in mind his existing items, and don’t stray too far from his style or risk your gift never seeing the light of day.

For the technophile, head to Apple. An iPad or iPod would obviously thrill Dad, if you have the money for it. If he already has one, you can buy accessories, like a nice case to protect his gadgets, without breaking the bank.

As far as more on-the-nose ideas go, Sears is the obvious destination. Their automotive section is good for upgrades like new speakers, GPS, or radar detectors.  Then of course, there are tools galore, and salespeople who can tell you far more about them than I can. Upstairs you can also buy electric shavers, which seem cheesy but are, again, functional and appreciated; at least you know he’ll actually use it.

For the sporty type, give Dicks a try. You could get your father some new sneakers, a fishing rod, a camping backpack, free weights, or whatever else tickles his fancy. 

Finally, if you are still utterly stumped and everything seems lame and insubstantial, there is the old standby: the giftcard. My advice here would be to counteract the impersonality of the thing by getting something specifically for the two of you to do together, like a restaurant card or one to AMC Theaters. The whole point of the holiday is to celebrate the man who raised you, so it’s safe to say he’d like to spend it with you. 

Best of luck, sons and daughters!