Father's Day gifts

Ties are nice, but let's face it, would you ever be excited to receive something that doubles as a noose? Here are some quick ideas for last-minute Father's Day gifts.

1. Buy him lunch. The quickest way to a man's heart is still through his stomach (though with Hubby it's a close tie with foot massages).

2. I read it for the articles. Buy him a magazine subscription at Magazine.com, which has competitive rates, then pick up the latest issue in a store. Give it to him with a card that let's him know a full year (or whatever the term is) is coming.

3. Channel his hobbies. Then buy a gift card that ties into his passion, be it golf, fishing, computers, sleeping, clothes, food, travel, sports, cooking, etc.

4. Work together. Call your mother and siblings and ask if anybody is buying him a big gift that you can contribute to. If you are not local you can put a check in the mail and not worry about shipping him something in time. Remember to call him Sunday, too.

5. Call him on Sunday (it's too late to send a card). When you talk to him say something about what he has taught you or what you admire about him. Often a simple compliment will resonate. This next example goes the other way but I think it still shows how saying something nice goes a long way.

The other day my Dad, who I talk to about once a month, called and left a message for me. He said he enjoyed reading my blog post about losing my wedding ring. Then he said something to the effect of "you really have your own way of telling stories." That is one of the biggest compliments you can give a writer and coming from a man who is very well read and who happens to be my Dad, it meant a whole lot. Thanks, Dad!