Father’s Day is just around the corner – Sunday, June 18th – and it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for the man who has done so much for you over the years. Sure, it was easy to pick something out when you were a kid. Mom would give you $20 and send you out to choose a nice tie or maybe a t-shirt from dad’s favorite sports team. But now that dad is in the senior age bracket, it gets a little tougher to find something meaningful that he’ll appreciate. Browse these gift ideas and find the perfect match for your dad this Father’s Day.
TREAT HIM TO AN EVENT YOU CAN ATTEND TOGETHER
Instead of buying dad a t-shirt or sweater this year, get him tickets to a play, museum, his favorite team’s big game, or some other memorable event. Father’s Day is in the heart of baseball season, so take dad out to the ole ball game and root, root, root for the home team. Treat him to some peanuts, Cracker Jacks or a Ball Park Frank and listen to the crack of the bat as they swing for the fences. Or spend time with dad at his favorite local history or art museum. Take your time and really soak up all there is to see and learn. This Father’s Day, make a memory that you – and him – can cherish forever.
TRACE YOUR FAMILY TREE
Has dad always had a love for history? Does he enjoy telling the family history through stories, or perk up when those Ancestry.com commercials come on TV? Then sign him up for an online service like Ancestry.com or FindMyPast.com. It’s never been easier to find out where you come from. Gone are the days of having to drive to cemeteries or pore through records at the library. Now these websites do the work for you. And best of all? This is something you can do together as a family – dad, you and even the grandkids can share in the excitement and enjoyment.
STAY CONNECTED WITH GRANDPAD
Figuring out a tablet can be difficult and frustrating for seniors. But the GrandPad is designed specifically with seniors in mind, making it friendlier and easier to use. With the GrandPad, you can actually give your senior dad the gift of seeing you often. The intuitive interface, large buttons and simple layout make the GrandPad the best tablet for seniors. In a moment, your dad can video call his grandkids, send you a voice email or comment on shared family photos that are sent right to his device.
DONATE ON HIS BEHALF
Diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and so many more have affected all of us. Whether it’s a parent, sibling, cousin or friend, these awful diseases have surely touched you in some way. Perhaps your dad is suffering from one of these illnesses right now. What better way to help him and many others than with a charitable donation in his name? The amount donated doesn’t have to be large. In fact, every little bit helps. And dad will be proud that you’re doing something to help others on his behalf. Consider donating to charities like the ALS Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society and the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research.
SAVING YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS
With easy-to-use cameras, tablets and smartphones, snapping high-quality pictures has never been easier. But most of us don’t go to the store and print out photos anymore. We tend to let them accumulate on our phones or tablets. They quickly take up storage on our phones making them slower and slower. And what happens if there’s a computer crash or we accidentally delete all of our cherished memories? That’s where PictureKeeper.com comes in. With packages starting as low as $119.99, your dad can now easily save and backup his pictures, videos and documents to the Picture Keeper Connect. Once stored to the portable compact USB drive, dad has the option of creating custom prints, photos and gifts to share with friends and family.
FUN IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
It’s finally summer! After a long, cold winter and a wet, rainy spring, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and nature’s calling. It’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Does dad love feeding the birds? Or sitting outside with a cold iced tea reading the paper? Then maybe it’s time for new patio furniture, a bird feeder or perhaps even a small fountain you can help him set up. But don’t just go to the store and pick up something yourself, take dad with you and make it a fun experience. Remember, it’s that shared experience that will make the awesome memory.
There are so many great gift ideas out there besides the old standbys. With a little outside-the-box thinking and some love, you’ll find the perfect gift to let dad know how much he truly means to you. Whatever you decide, live in the moment, cherish the memories you make, and have a very happy Father’s Day.