Learn what five very different dads want for Father’s Day,
and get inspiration for your own gift-giving.
By guest author Brigitta Kral
In Eddie Murphy’s schtick on gifts for dad in Delirious (or was it Raw?), after giving his dad a bottle of “Brut,” a rather nasty smelling cheap cologne, Murphy’s “dad” (comedic license was taken I’m sure) responds not with “Thank you son,” but with a complaint, “BRUT by Faberge? You cheap Mo&%*# F&*%#@!!”
Dads like that aren’t likely to receive repeat Father’s Day gifts. (Yes, my fellow Eddie Murphy fans, the Brut was given for Christmas, but this is an article on gifts for Father’s Day so, work with me please.)
daddy dearest
The dads we continue to shop (or make something) for year after year are the ones whose lives we view as an example of how to live our own; the ones we call up for advice whether we’re 20 or 60; the ones we hope to find that present for Father’s Day that says, “Hey dad, I know you, and I love you” because sometimes it’s not so easy to express these emotions verbally or in writing.
shop on!
To that end, dear reader, I bring you a nontraditional form of Father’s Day shopping guide dedicated to the dads who continue to inspire us. For this piece, I interviewed five dads between the ages of 35 and 66. These dads’ tastes, interests and gift choices vary as much as their personalities. With any luck, dear reader, you’ll be able to glean a gift idea for your own dad/husband based on the range of ideas from these fathers who know best what they want this June 20th.
the real deal
In addition to a bit of fatherly advice, I asked each dad to provide me with four gift choices, three that are available online, and one that he’d like his child (or children) to make for him. The fathers, of course, put their own spin on my request. The purchasable gifts range in price from the “If my wife or kids win the lottery, I’d love a…” range to the “It ain’t Brut, but I’m pretty sure my wife/kids can afford a…” range.
About Bernd Kral ~
Competitive amateur cyclist [in the picture my dad's competing in the 90-hour "Paris-Brest-Paris" ride, which he had to qualify for]; proud, loving grandfather whose grandsons (my nephews) can do no wrong; once player, now (two knee surgeries later) avid viewer of “the beautiful game;” talented woodworker & son of an old-world craftsman; RV road warrior; seasoned traveler; born and raised in Vienna, Austria; my dad!
Age: 66; Profession: Retired corporate controller; Kids: Katrin (female, 36); Me, Brigitta (female, 34)
Bernd’s Gift Choices:
- If my wife or kids win the lottery, I’d love a 2010 CycleOps Power Tap SLC+ Powermeter System/Zipp Rim ($2,755-$3,465).
- Why? “One can always dream. A power meter is the best way to train for serious improvement.”
- It’s a bit pricey, but I’m worth it! So, I’d like a handmade journal for the RV (avg $25).
- Why? “So we [my mom and dad] can chronicle our journeys. I chose the nautical motif because there are actually many similarities between a boat and a motor-home.”
- It ain’t Brut, but I’m pretty sure my wife/kids can afford a “Share the Road” T-Shirt ($17.95).
- Why? “To spread the message; it should also say ‘It’s the law.’”
- Dad not in to sharing the road? No problem! You can get dad a t-shirt with the design and message of your choosing from such Web printing services as Zazzle, Overnight Prints and Vistaprint. Or, be really cool and get a custom-handmade T-shirt from one of the many talented artists on Etsy (search for “custom shirts”).
- Handmade gift from the kiddies: OK, dear reader, you’ve got me there. My sister Katrin and I are a bit on the older end of “kiddies,” but I do so like the word. My dearest dad, a gourmet cook in his own right, has kindly requested that Katrin and I collaborate to cook one of his favorite meals for Father’s Day: Frittaten Suppe, Wiener Schnitzel, Gurken Salat, Reis and Apfel Strudel. (Loosely translated this conglomeration of traditional Austrian fare includes a broth-based soup with strips of crepes, fried veal or pork cutlets, cucumber and vinegar salad, rice and a form of layered apple pie that uses paper thin pastry dough.)
- On fatherhood: “A quote by American author Clarence Budington Kelland sums it up for me, ‘My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.’ My father was a quiet man, a hard worker, honest, and always put family first, an example I have tried to emulate.” [Just between you and me, my father is everything he hopes to be and more.]
About Bob Rollins ~
A city lover who enjoys walking around cities both big and small, and jogging to keep in shape, Bob’s working on seemingly endless projects around the house, most of which he enjoys. A cooking enthusiast, he’s currently trying to grow vegetables. Good luck Bob!
Age: 40 (and loving it!); Profession: Multifamily real estate asset manager; Kids: Two beautiful little girls, ages 5 and 3
Bob’s Gift Choices:
- If my wife or kids win the lottery, I’d love a 2010 Corvette ZR1 ($106,880+).
- Why? “We may grow older, but some dreams remain the same.”
- It’s a bit pricey, but I’m worth it! So, I’d like an Apple iPhone 3GS – 16GB ($149 to $199 before coverage plan).
- Why? “You need to ask?”
- It ain’t Brut, but I’m pretty sure my wife/kids can afford cooking lessons ($50).
- Why? “I love eating at Donna’s (a Maryland cafe and bar), so why not learn some of their techniques?”
- Handmade gift from the kiddies: “Anything handmade from the kids is always a great gift. It isn’t the gift itself, but the presentation and explanation from a young child of something that is often not easy to identify, but means so much to them. Priceless.”
- On fatherhood: “It’s the hardest job you’ll ever love, to borrow a phrase. They will test your patience but will teach you as much as you teach them if you are a willing student.”
About John Gullucci ~
This former marine and professional actor met his wife Catherine on stage while playing Dracula to her Lucy. Nowadays John fills his free time playing golf, hunting, cycling and cooking. (Apparently, dear reader, the modern dad doesn’t just help bring home the bacon; he cooks and serves it too!)
Age: 56; Profession: Agency Procurement Specialist; Kids: “I have one very unique child. William is 16 going on 17 going on 6 going on 42, depending on the day.”
John’s Gift Choices:
- If my wife or kids win the lottery, I’d love a set of custom-fitted golf clubs ($300+).
- Why? “There is a huge difference between a fitted set of clubs and what you buy off the shelf. They take five to seven strokes off your game just by sitting in your bag. Of course, the best way to do this is to work with a PGA-certified pro to help you get the clubs right.” You can take dad to a place like Hot Stix, or buy dad a fancy set of golf clubs from sites like Golfsmith or Ping, and either use an online custom fit wizard or check out the tips from About.com.
- It’s a bit pricey, but I’m worth it! So, I’d like a new set of practice arrows ($40-$100+).
- Why? “I could use new arrows to help me get in shape for hunting season.”
- It ain’t Brut, but I’m pretty sure my wife/kids can afford a 750ml bottle of Basil Hayden’s Bourbon ($50).
- Why? “It’s a small batch bourbon, which makes all the difference.”
- Handmade gift from the kiddies: “A framed picture of Will doing one of his jumps or giant leaps on stage would be perfect.”
- On fatherhood: “You learn things about yourself just by being a parent. You see yourself in them plus some totally unique stuff that the genes have been hiding for centuries. Don’t ignore the mental health of your kid. A little help now can make a huge difference for your spawn immediately, and years down the road.
“As for advice, to quote Homer J. Simpson, enjoy the first year of their life because ‘once they start talking they start talking back!’ And remember, you are their parent, not their best friend. Be nice but every once in a while you have to kick ass (figuratively speaking).”
About Garry A. Mendez, III ~
Garry, an enthusiastic home cook and wine lover (or oenophile if ya wanna get fancy about it) sings, plays the drums and writes both music and fiction. This Renaissance Man is eco-friendly to the core, preferring the natural to the manufactured (as emphasized in his pic, which shows Garry on his way to the local farmer’s market with his “green” bag in hand).
Age: 35; Profession: Marketing/Communications Consultant; Kids: Daddy-to-be (first child due in July)
Garry’s Gift Choices:
- If my wife or kids win the lottery, I’d love an N’FINITY 340 Multi-Temp Wine Cellar ($3300).
- Why? “Well, technically my first choice would be full college tuition for my future son/daughter. But, if pressed into consumerism, I would choose a wine cellar (preferably one fully stocked) because I enjoy fine quality wine as well as selecting just the right wine to pair with a home-cooked meal.”
- It’s a bit pricey, but I’m worth it! So, I’d like a Thermos Element 5 Travel Bottle ($40).
- Why? “Not only does this thing keep your coffee hot but it has a hook to attach it to almost any bag/briefcase. So dad can save a little coin by making his own coffee at home (with a little trial and error anybody can learn to make coffee that’s ten times better than that overpriced environmentally unsustainable swill most chains offer) and not worry about it getting cold while he’s on his way to work.”
- It ain’t Brut, but I’m pretty sure my wife/kids can afford the Organic Baby & Toddler Cookbook ($15).
- Why? “For me it’s a no-brainer because I already love to cook, but for dads who don’t know the first thing about food, baby food is a good place to start learning. Mom’s been doing a lot, carrying the baby and (if she breastfeeds) feeding the baby. This gift helps me get what I really want: one step closer to being the best dad ever!”
- Handmade gift from the kiddies: “Sit still! Since my baby hasn’t been born yet, all I can ask for right now is that he/she be a little bit more forthcoming when it comes to getting his/her ultrasound pictures taken. The kicking is great. It’s a lot of fun to put my hand on my wife’s belly and feel that little person in there moving around, but it sure does make it tough to get a good ultrasound measurement when the baby keeps moving.
“For dads whose kids are out of the womb, though, they could sit still for a good photo too. It doesn’t have to look like it came from Olan Mills. Mom could take it with a digital camera and dad could use it as a screensaver.”
- On fatherhood: “Just about everything I know about being a dad I’ve learned from my own father. I hope to be the kind of father he was for me. He was a grown-up first, but also engaged my young mind in a kid-friendly way. He always had a silly story or joke at the ready. I’m not interested in being my kid’s friend, I think that can be damaging to both child and parent, but I also see the value in being childlike when dealing with kids. The best dads seem to strike a balance between being an authority figure, a mentor and a just plain fun person to be around for their kids.”
About Leonard Jaramillo ~
Age: 34; Profession: Business-process optimization for international finance; Kids: Matteus, 12; Tobias, 6
Leonard’s Gift Choices:
- If my wife or kids win the lottery, I’d love a black 2010 Cadillac CTS-V ($62,020-$69,995).
- Why? “It has room for the kids, yet enough power to keep it exciting (550 horsepower).”
- It’s a bit pricey, but I’m worth it! So, I’d like a pair of Maui Jim™ South Shore sunglasses in gloss black w/neutral grey lenses ($239).
- Why? “I’ve always wanted a pair, but never felt I should spend some $300 on a pair of sunglasses.”
- It ain’t Brut, but I’m pretty sure my wife/kids can afford some new aquatic life for our 10ft.-diameter outdoor pond; it could be turtles, freshwater sharks, or cool goldfish ($10+).
- Why? “Well, Toby forbade me from putting sharks in the pond, even after I explained to him that freshwater sharks bear no resemblance to great whites. So, I guess I’d have to go with the turtles or goldfish. Perhaps I could even get the kids to train the goldfish to play soccer, etc.”
- Believe it or not dear reader, according to R2 Fish School, training your goldfish to do cool tricks that include playing sports is easy-peasy with one of their training kits, which are priced from $30 on up.
- Handmade gift from the kiddies: “I think that a mosaic stepping stone of the kids’ feet would look pretty cool in the garden; or they could paint a butterfly ball or something. Honestly, I’d love anything my sons made me. They both enjoy making things and getting dirty, so the possibilities really are endless.”
[As the proud aunt to Leonard's two adorable sons, I must add that among my nephews' many talents, Toby's quite the budding artist and Teus is a talented poet in his own right. Plus, both boys are natural athletes (a trait that I missed out on entirely).]
- On fatherhood: “My favorite thing to say around the house is: ‘Don’t let your mother find out.’ Seriously though, I’d give any parent the same advice: Enjoy them now; they grow up quickly.”
Researched and written by Brigitta Kral, a sarcastic pessimist and freelance writer/editor/teacher who loves to laugh and craft. For examples of her craftiness, check out Brigitta’s shop, BrigaBauble, which features handmade gifts designed for women and men. Follow BrigaBauble on Twitter for random musings and special deals.
