About 17 million baby boomers are fathers.
I e-mailed six boomer dads and asked what they’d like to receive for a Father’s Day present.
Computer gadgets and a Sirius satellite radio were two of the requests.
Another boomer dad wants Bill O'Reilly’s newest book, a stainless steel sauté pan, a new putter, and a barbecue with his two daughters.
One dad said it would be great if his two sons volunteered to work for three days on clean up activities for the family’s vacation cabin.
A boomer dad with young children wistfully envisions a nice quiet day with a tasty steak and cold beer at the end of the day.
Similarly, another boomer dad wants a day at the beach on his Hobie Cat 17 sailboat, good winds, a great lunch, lots of sun, and no work.
More gift ideas
Amazon.com suggests giving your dad CDs from the 1960s and 70s. Their Web page Great Gifts for Your Baby Boomer Dad also recommends books including “How to Retire Early and Live Well With Less Than a Million Dollars” and “Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power.” A Canon PowerShot S100 2MP Digital ELPH Camera Kit w/ 2x Optical Zoom is another suggestion.
You can also choose from books on a list of Books for Grownups recommended by AARP and Publishers Weekly. Among the offerings are “Do-Over: In Which a Forty-Eight-Year-Old Father of Three Returns to Kindergarten, Summer Camp, the Prom, and Other Embarrassments” and “Closing Time: A Memoir.”
If you want to give your dad electronic gadgets, the article “11 Affordable Father’s Day Gifts Dads Will Want” on mint.com offers suggestions for under $100.
A different kind of gift
Probably the most unusual gift suggestion I came across in my consumer research is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In its article, “Top Five Father’s Tips From USDA,” the department recommends giving your dad a food thermometer to make sure food is safe.
Other Father’s Day suggestions the department offers are: visit a local farmers’ market, explore a local forest or park, plant your own garden, and cook a healthy meal with dad.
Father's Day spending
Americans are expected to spend an average of $91 on gifts for dad, down slightly from $95 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $9.4 billion, the Nation Retail Federation reports.
Other highlights from the federation’s annual survey include:
- Consumers will spend the most – $1.9 billion – on a special outing such as a dinner or a sporting event.
- Clothing still ranks high among gift givers who are expected to spend $1.3 billion on new socks, slacks, and ties.
- Others will treat dad to a gift card – $1.2 billion; electronics – $1 billion; books or CDs – $548 million; home improvement items – $522 million; and sporting goods – $502 million.
More Father's Day gift resources for consumers
“Perfect Father’s Day Gifts for Baby Boomers” – Associated Content
"Father’s Day Gifts Under $50” – NBC Philadelphia
“Father’s Day Gift the Cheapskate Can Endorse” – The Cheapskate Blog on Time
Best wishes with your search for a present for your dad and your Father's Day activities. I hope you'll be able to visit with or talk with your dad on Father's Day.
My next post will be "A Tribute to My Dad on Father's Day."
Copyright 2009, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist
I usually give my dad a book, I guess I could get on the cheapskates list of gifts! But it is always something I have read and liked that we can talk about.
Posted by: Lisa | June 23, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Books are great presents. I give them for all occasions. I especially like AARP and Publishers Weekly listings of Books for Grownups. I also like Nancy Pearl's, author of the book lust books, recommendations.
I love to read.
Rita
Posted by: Rita | June 24, 2009 at 12:49 AM