| Father's Day is a special time to celebrate and honor | | | | mugs, mousepads, keychains, even keepsake boxes |
| our dads, who do so much. Here are nine tips for | | | | and playing cards, all featuring his favorite family |
| helping your kids give a Father's Day gift he'll | | | | photos. |
| remember for years to come. | | | | 4. Take a container that relates to a favorite pastime |
| 1. The best Father's Day gifts are those that celebrate | | | | and make a treasured keepsake. First, cut out slips of |
| the paternal relationship as well as those that give a | | | | paper and distribute them in the family so that |
| child and a father something to share in together. If | | | | everyone can write down their favorite memories with |
| Dad loves to ride his bicycle, plan a family bike ride and | | | | dad. Then put all of these slips of paper in an |
| picnic, where you'll present him with a new gadget for | | | | inexpensive container: a tacklebox, a new coffee cup, |
| his bike, perhaps. If he's a baseball fan, present him | | | | or an antique cigar case. |
| with tickets to a big game (and some to each of his | | | | 5. Dads make a lot of sacrifices for the family. Present |
| kids, too.) | | | | him with something that makes him feel treasured. |
| Think about Dad's favorite things to do, and ask the | | | | Some ideas: a nice new wallet or money clip with his |
| kids to help you think of ways that you can help him | | | | initials; monogrammed cuff links or beer glasses; new |
| spend more time doing it - or perhaps how to share | | | | slippers and a plush bathrobe or a gift certificate for a |
| those favorite activities with the rest of his family. For | | | | massage. Make sure to include a note from the family |
| men who love to grill, buy him a new apron (or | | | | expressing your appreciation for everything he does |
| decorate a plain one with fabric paints) and stuff the | | | | as a dad. |
| pockets with new marinades and barbecue gadgets. | | | | 6. Give him DVDs that you can watch together. Is he |
| You can even buy a barbecue branding iron featuring | | | | an Indiana Jones fan or a Star Wars buff? Get the |
| his initials so he can brand his pieces of art as they | | | | DVD box set and make some popcorn. If he's a |
| come off the grill. If he's a fisherman, treat him to a | | | | gaming fan, present him with the newest game. |
| new tacklebox with hooks, bobbers, and powerbait. If | | | | 7. Treat him and the kids to lunch at his favorite |
| he's a golfer, take him out to the miniature golf course | | | | restaurant and present him with tickets to a new |
| for a day of family fun, or to his favorite course if the | | | | movie he's been wanting to see. |
| kids are old enough to share in his game. | | | | 8. Make a batch of his favorite sweet treats. |
| 2. Write a letter to your husband to let him know how | | | | 9. The secret to being a good gift giver is to listen for |
| you feel about his role as father. Tell him what you | | | | those things that your husband mentions throughout |
| admire about him and how he helps you in your role as | | | | the year. What catalogs or magazines does he flip |
| mother. | | | | through? Pay attention to the kinds of advertisements |
| 3. Say it with photos. These days, online photo | | | | that make him pause. Men's hints are sometimes |
| processing sites make it a snap to create unique and | | | | particularly subtle, so be on the lookout and take notes |
| sentimental photo books and photo gifts, including | | | | on ideas for things he might like to have. |