By Janette Vince
Our fathers do a lot for us during the year, but recent polls indicate that most of us spend far more for Mother's Day than we do on Father's Day. Don't leave your dad out in the cold—here are seven gift ideas that are sure to make him happy.
A driving experience. What dad doesn't like cars? Give your dad a Father's Day he'll never forget by booking a driving experience in a Ferrari, a Porsche, an off-roader, or a race car. Participants can really test the car's limits on a closed race track, or experience an unforgettable off-road adventure. As an alternative, rent your dad's dream car for a day—let him drive it to the office and show it off to friends. He's sure to love this thoughtful gift idea.
A day on the paintball field. If your dad loves war movies, he's sure to appreciate the “real” thing. Book a day or half-day on a paintball field, and bring your family together on Father's Day. Paintball is an exciting challenge, both physically and mentally. With the varied terrain, the many games you can play, the expert guidance, and the excitement of play, everyone in the family is sure to have a great time.
Tickets to the game. Let's face it—most guys are sports fans, and this is an easy one. Buy your dad good seats to the game or tournament of his choice, be it cricket, football, golf, or any other sport. If you really want to give him a fantastic gift, buy him several tickets and allow him to invite friends or family. This is an excellent gift idea for anyone whose father is a sports fan.
Creative gadgets. If your dad loves James Bond movies mainly for the neat gadgets Bond gets to use, this gift is for him. There are plenty of creative and unique gift ideas for those who love gadgets, from automatic card-shufflers to high-powered pocket binoculars. Buy your dad a wireless spy camera, a rechargeable tyre compressor, an automatic massager, or a travel voice translator—the possibilities are endless.
How-to. Who doesn't love to learn a new skill? Book your dad a day to learn something he's always wanted to try—from gourmet cooking to flying a small plane. If you really want a grateful father, buy him a series of classes, or the gear to go along. Even better? Learn with him, or bring the whole family along. From fly fishing to self defense, boat building to skiing, there's sure to be something your dad will get into.
A day off the ground. Flight is exciting and intriguing for just about everyone, and your dad is sure to remember a day in a small plane, glider, or hot-air balloon. You can usually find a pilot who gives rides and lessons at your local small-plane airport—look for the grass strip. Many pilots love flying and will give rides for free simply for the joy of it, and if you hang out at a hangar for a bit, you're sure to meet a few enthusiasts. As an alternative, give your dad a romantic hot-air balloon ride with Mum. Or try a glider ride. Gliders are ultra-light planes without motors; they ride rising thermals to stay afloat. It's a thrilling way to experience flight—in a glass cockpit with no engine noises or sound of a kerosene flame, it's the closest you can get to unaided flight.
A day on the water. Most dads would jump at the chance to drive a speedboat or sail a yacht. These are great group activities, so you can invite family and friends to help defray costs. Try a Zapcats experience or a tour on a jet ski for the adventurous—or even a day of parasailing or water-skiing for dads who like a bit more action. It's sure to make for a lot of fun on Father's Day.
Give your dad an unforgettable Father's Day this year with any one of these fun, unique, and exciting gifts. Many of these are group activities, and they give you an excellent opportunity to bring your entire family together. Whichever one you choose, your dad is sure to have a memorable Father's Day.
Janette Vince is managing director of http://www.thanksdarling.com/ For more articles and a range of great gift ideas for fathers day visit http://www.thanksdarling.com/203-1.htm
