5 Gifts You Shouldn't Buy for Father's Day (and What to Buy Instead)
The older you get, the more difficult it can be to hunt down the right Father's Day gift. While handmade lanyards and finger-painted pictures may have sufficed in the past, you may feel eager to find your dad something a little more sophisticated this year.
But a grownup gift doesn't have to be stuffy, boring or ordinary. Odds are, the perfect Father's Day present won't be found on the racks of a men's designer clothing store or the shelves of a kitschy gift shop. To help you steer clear of clichéd gifts and give your dad something he really wants, here are five gifts you shouldn't buy for Father's Day (and what to buy instead).
[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]
1. Neckties
Whether silky and stylish or colorful and wacky, the necktie is considered one of the most timeworn and unimaginative Father's Day gifts of all. Not only can ties seem lackluster and unoriginal, but they can be associated with stuffy occasions like job interviews and funerals.
What to buy instead: While the necktie may be overdone, you don't have to cross off all clothing from your Father's Day shopping list. Consider getting your father apparel and accessories geared toward his daily activities and hobbies. For example, if he is a music lover, find a shirt from his favorite band. For the fitness buff, seek out athletic apparel and fitness gear. For the sports fan, try a personalized jersey from his college football team.
[See: 10 Oddly Practical Things You Can Rent.]
2. Coffee Mugs
At this point in his life, your dad probably isn't lacking for mugs. If you poke your head in his cabinet and find it jam-packed with coffee cups, you may want to rethink that No. 1 Dad mug you were eyeing.
What to buy instead: We're willing to bet coffee isn't the only beverage your pops enjoys. We suggest shopping for glassware or accessories with your dad's favorite drink in mind. Think travel blenders for the smoothie drinker, sampler glasses for the craft beer aficionado and whiskey stones for the whiskey man.
3. Gift Cards
Handing your dad a gift card can seem like a transaction versus a gift. A gift card suggests that you couldn't think of anything your dad would really want, or you were unwilling to invest the energy to find something great. Plus, gift cards require your father to take a trip the store, and may force him to spend his own money to complete a purchase.
What to buy instead: Rather than buying a gift card to his favorite retailer, visit the store yourself to decide on a gift you think he'd enjoy. Even if the gift is unneeded, your father will likely appreciate the act of giving as a gesture of affection, consideration and care.
[See: 6 Ways to Treat Yourself on a Budget.]
4. Wine, Booze or Chocolate
A bottle of wine or box of chocolate can suggest you made a last-minute trip to the grocery store after remembering it was Father's Day this morning. And while delicious, food and booze gifts may only last a couple of days before being reduced to empty bottles and boxes in the trash can.
What to buy instead: We suggest giving dad an experience he'll remember, rather than a gift he'll consume in a couple of nights. Take your pops out to his favorite restaurant, go wine tasting or tour a brewery together. Your dad is likely to enjoy the time you spend together far more than the taste of even the finest wines or most expensive whiskeys.
5. Gizmos and Gadgets
As cool as an electronic fork or CD-playing sneakers might seem, you may want to avoid impractical gizmos and gadgets this Father's Day. More often than not, useless electronics end up at the bottom of a desk drawer or the back of a closet once their novelty wears off.
What to buy instead: Of course, there's also plenty of handy electronics dads can benefit from and value. As with all gifts, take your father's unique needs, interests and limitations into account when choosing a tech gift. You can find a huge variety of gadgets that can enhance the experience of beloved pastimes, such as playing golf, cooking and biking.
Maria Lalonde honed her deal-hunting skills while traveling through South America and Southeast Asia, combing colorful local markets for unique finds. Her love of blogging and thirst for deals brought her to Offers.com, where she blogs about savings tips.
