Father’s Day is this Sunday and you may find yourself still scrambling to find a fit for your old man. This is the guy that may have taught you how to ride your first bicycle, showed you how to shave, and had an awkward chat with you about the birds and bees. He deserves to get a good present from you, but which direction should you take?
There are a lot of remarkably generic gift ideas out there for Father’s Day, but maybe you want to take a more unique gadget-oriented approach to this year’s present. Just avoid these bad Father’s Day gifts if you want to put a smile on your dad’s face rather than an unfortunate scowl.
Thanko USB-Powered Fan Tie
The old standby when it comes to gifts for dad seems to be the respectable necktie. Looking in one of the dresser drawers, there’s a good chance that you’ll find it overflowing with ties of all kinds, ranging from the conservative stripes to one with more of a tropical beach theme. You don’t want to get dad another tie.
Worse yet, you don’t want to get him this Thanko tie that happens to come with a USB-powered fan. Yes, a hot summer in the stuffy office might not be all that nice, but this product will leave pops as the laughing stock of the water cooler. Don’t do it.
Alternative: A desk fan, USB-powered or otherwise
Robotic Animals and Toys
Unless your dad is really into robotics or children’s toys, it’s probably best to avoid getting him any of those robotic animals on the market, as cool as they may be. Even though the Aibo is by far one of the coolest (but discontinued) products to hit the market, and I must say, in that the plastic-and-metal pup can somewhat accurately represent the “personality” of its furry counterpart, this is not the gift for dad. The complication of some of these toys will just have it heading to the shelf as a dust collector.
Not to mention, he’ll just want a real one later which will infuriate Mom (and exacerbate his animal allergies). Don’t get him a Robo-Raptor or any of those things either.
Alternative: IF it has to be a toy, how about a remote-controlled helicopter or boat?
Nintendo Wii Home Gaming Console
As a self-professed Nintendo fanboy, I think I have every right to say that the Nintendo Wii is probably not the best idea for a Father’s Day gift. Yes, I know that the Wii is supposed to be fun for the whole family and there are some games, like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, that are geared toward an older audience, but it won’t be for dad. At least not directly.
You may be able to convince your dad to give the Wii a try if the gaming console was originally a gift for your mom. When she’s done with her session of Wii Fit, your dad can give Tiger Woods PGA Tour a whirl, perhaps. Getting him the Wii directly, however, might make for some odd reactions… unless he grew up as a Nintendo fanboy too.
On a side note, you may want to skip the Nintendo DS Lite as well. If you must go with a Nintendo portable, at least go with the latest hotness of the Nintendo DSi.
Alternative: Xbox 360 with an EA Sports game of choice
Any Home Theater PC
It’s not that a home theater PC (HTPC) would make a bad Father’s Day gift idea, per se. I’m sure that any father would love the ability to watch a variety of multimedia content on a giant HDTV, streaming his videos over Hulu or whatever other source he wants. I’m sure that almost any dad would love the ability to surf the web from the comfort of the couch. That’s not the point.
The point is, unless dear old dad is as computer savvy as you are, you may end up getting more phone calls than you’d like when the old man runs into problems setting up and configuring his HTPC. “Hey son, the video I downloaded isn’t playing. What the heck is a CODEC?”
Save yourself the headache. As nice as it may be, the gift of an HTPC may exercise strain on your father-son relationship.
Alternative: Seagate FreeAgent Theater HD Media Player
Electronic Cigarettes to Help Him Quit?
You might remember when I found these e-cigarettes at CES earlier this year. The E-Cig, as it is known, looks jus like a real cigarette, except there is no tar and no smoke. Dad can still get his nicotine fix without doing any other harm to himself or those around him.
This may sound like a good idea, but I don’t think too may people (fathers included) want to be reminded of their vices and health issues. “Here you go, dad. Have some weight loss pills, a box of Rogaine, and some e-cigs to help you quit.” Yeah, not smart.
Alternative: A bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label (to share!)
Apple iPhone 3G S
Before all the Apple enthusiasts jump all over me for saying this, I’m not necessarily opposed to the new Apple iPhone 3G S itself. Although I’m not personally a fan of touchscreen keyboards, I can see how many people have become fans of the iPhone series.
However, the general rule with Rogers/Fido and AT&T is that you have to sign a new contract (or renew an existing one) in order to get your hands on an iPhone. There’s nothing quite like the gift of two (or three) years of cell phone bills.
This will also depend largely on your gadget orientation of your dad, but he may not like the idea of a full touchscreen phone either. Where are the buttons? Where’s the dial? How do I just make a call?
Alternative: Apple iPod touch (no contract!)
Swiss Army Knife with USB Flash Drive
A Swiss Army knife can be incredibly useful. You never know when you may need a tiny pair of scissors, a remarkably small screwdriver, or a corkscrew at any given moment. At the same time, you never know when an extra USB flash drive might come in handy for saving and transporting some important files.
Combining the two, however, results in a cheaper-looking product that achieves the level of functionality of neither product. It’s not like you’re getting that much of a deal by getting the convergence “Swiss Flash USB Knife” either, since the 2GB model retails for about $50.
Convenience is one thing, but this is too dorky without any added utility.
Alternative: A big flash drive and a Swiss Army Knife
What Are You Getting Your Dad for Father’s Day?
Personally, my dad isn’t exactly digitally inclined, so getting him a gadget-minded gift would just be flushing money down the toilet. Instead, I’m catering to the one thing that I know he loves: Good food. We’re going out for a dinner at a nice restaurant. What about you? What are you getting for your old man? Chime in through the Futurelooks Forums!
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