Each year on Father’s Day, I struggle to find a gift my dad will love. In fact, I always have this problem. Somewhere along the way, when I bought him that shoe polish kit, I realized that my dad is the hardest person for me to shop for. I think I know the reason why. What do you give to a guy who has given you so much? You want to give back, but nothing seems adequate so, if you’re like me, you end up going with something weak like this idea I found today on a list of the “Worst Father’s Day Gifts“.
That Steinbach smoker that I gave my dad last Christmas has a spot on his office shelf right next to the bobblehead Chicago Bears Santa gift from several seasons ago. In fact, on the shelf next door, he has that book about “The Taliban” that I thought he’d enjoy reading between the dorky cowboy boot bookends that I really hoped he’d get a kick out of. Come to think of it, the old dreamcatcher I gave him after a trip to New Mexico is on display in that office, too. The guy probably wishes I’d stop and give him his office back.
Many of the gifts I’ve chosen for my dad took endless hours of wannabe-perfect-present shopping. But it always feels like I’m trying too hard and the end result seems so underwhelming.
From now on, I’ve decided to spend less time shopping and more time showing my dad how much he’s appreciated. In the meantime, I’ve made my own version of the certificate above. After all, it’ll fit perfectly into that empty picture frame I gave him for his birthday which, you guessed it, is on display in his office. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
