Dads are notoriously hard to shop for. If you ask them what they’d like for a holiday or birthday gift, they are likely to come back with “I don’t know. Whatever you get will be great!”
So, every year, you end up scrambling to decide between a weed wacker or some after shave.
And make no mistake, Dad will appreciate the gesture, but he’ll know you might have left it to the last minute again.
With that in mind, here’s a quick list of some thoughtful – and unusual – Father’s Day gifts for your unusual dads.
Create a scholarship in his name
Are there charitable or community causes and organizations that Dad supports with money or his time? How thrilled would he be to know that deserving students were getting a leg up in his name?
This Father’s Day, why not help him set up a scholarship or grant to help a young person with the cost of college? And yes, few dads have the means to set up and fund tens of thousands of dollars for a full-ride scholarship but that doesn’t mean he can’t make a real difference in someone’s life.
Small scholarships, even as little as $100 can help a student pay for books or cover fees and $1,000 can help a student take out a little less in student loans, making a difference even after graduation.
The really great news is, once you’ve set it up, actually administering the gift – publicizing the scholarship, recruiting additional donors, gathering applications, and choosing the recipient – can be handled by a college or charitable group’s scholarship committee or by a company like Bold.org.
Set Chef Dad up
If your Dad likes to stand out by the grill all summer, you’ve probably already gotten him the chef’s hat and funny grilling apron or a new set of BBQ tools.
This year, expand his options at the grill.
If a new, top-of-the-line gas grill or charcoal smoker is a little outside your budget, there are a ton of more affordable options out there.
Whether it’s a selection of regional BBQ sauces, a cast iron pizza pan, or
If he’s starting to get ambitious inside the kitchen, too, maybe it’s time to take it to the next level and set him up to cook blue-ribbon meals with a great new set of pots and pans selected just for him. Think about how he likes to cook, the type of stove you have and the recipes he likes to experiment with and you’ll be able to find the perfect set of cookware.
Help cut the cord
Cable and satellite TV packages just keep getting bigger and more and more expensive and, let’s face it, Dad really only watches a few channels regularly. Streaming video services provide a way to help him save money (always a popular Dad goal) while giving him a way to watch even more of what he likes.
And, since you are probably already very familiar with the streaming universe, after you buy him a streaming device, finish off your Father’s Day gift by helping him get rid of his cable or satellite TV service, select the right Internet speeds, and get everything up and running just the way he wants it.
Honor Dad’s service and help him save
Whether your dad is active military or a veteran, there are a ton of discount programs out there that he should know about. If he’s looking forward to travelling again, airlines, car rental companies, and outdoor gear stores all offer discounts that can save him real money on his next trip (and even more if he takes you along).
It’s tough to keep track of all the discounts available out there, so do a quick internet search to find the best military discounts on travel deals, clothes, tech gear, and home improvement.
Best part? As his family member, you’ll be able to use many of those discounts when you are shopping for Father’s Day.
Help keep his furry buddy with him
Some Dads don’t like to go anywhere without their doggy best friend. That can be tough sometimes, especially when travelling or looking to rent a new home.
If yours has ever had trouble keeping their pet with them, you can help him get a legally-approved emotional support animal (ESA) letter that will let him travel or rent a new place and keep his buddy with him.
