Most dads have plenty of novelty ties, cuff links and coffee mugs, which can make gift shopping tricky. Instead of giving your dad more "stuff," consider environmentally friendly gifts for dad that show him how much you care while keeping your gift giving solidly in the green. Intangible gifts minimize packaging and waste and make for lasting memories.
Experience Gifts
Plan a special day with your dad, and create a certificate giving him the details. For instance, if your dad's an avid fisherman, charter a fishing trip and make reservations for dinner at a favorite seafood restaurant. Plan a dinner train evening with a dad who is into railroads, or get tickets and special seats for a sporting event. Choose an event you'll both enjoy, and spend a quality day with your dad--it's a gift you'll both be likely to enjoy.
Handychild Gifts
Create a batch of gift certificates for chores your dad always gets stuck with: cutting the lawn, taking out the garbage, detailing the car, cleaning out the garage or putting up the badminton net. Let your dad cash in certificates, and take over some of his duties all year long.
Educational Gifts
Encourage your dad to pursue his passions by giving him a gift that helps him learn to do something new or improve his skills. If your dad is the family photographer, enroll him in a photography class so that he can sharpen his skills. If your dad's always been interested in woodworking, sign him up for a beginner's woodworking class. If your dad is obsessed with historical fiction, enroll him in a history course to give him the inside scoop on his favorite era.
Sentimental Gifts
Give your father a special gift by restoring or replicating something he always loved. Have a special family photo from his childhood professionally restored or scour thrift shops and online auction sites for a replica of his never-forgotten Roy Rogers lunchbox. By giving him something that has meaning for him, you're showing him that his interests and history matter to you, which may be the best gift of all.
