by Paul Lines

Created on: June 12, 2008   Last Updated: July 22, 2009

The approach of father's day always brings with the children's annual question, what can I buy Dad? Surprisingly, the decision becomes more difficult as the years go by rather than less and the Dad is usually not very helpful, with his stock answer being I don't mind or I don't need anything.

They say that on this day, as with other special celebrations, it is the thought that counts. However, although in theory this is true, giving a bad father's day gift is not a pleasant feeling for either the child or the father. The problem we all need to address at this time of year is in understanding what might be considered a bad father's day gift. As will be explained, to a great extent, this criterion will depend upon the individual case. No two fathers' have the likes or dislike, nor would they have the same talents and skills. Therefore, what one father might consider being a good gift, another might be deemed a disaster, as will be highlighted by the following examples.

Amongst some of the most frequent father's day gifts purchased DIY tools and accessories often are popular. These gifts could be related to either home improvement or motor mechanic tasks. Many children would consider these gifts to be ideal because they are practical and likely to be something that is often used. However, to some fathers' they would be a very bad choice. To explain the latter category, the author will use himself as an example.

I am by nature and training an academic rather than practical person, one who prefers creativity and solving problems that involve the mind rather than the hands. History has taught my partner and me that, in terms of DIY, I can be worse than disaster. Evidence of this can be found in the time I hit my thumb with a hammer while driving a screw into the bathroom wall. I dropped the hammer, which fell and broke a water pipe, giving my partner, who was in the bath at the time, a cold shower. Invest in a DIY gift by all means, but only if you are sure that it is a present your father will truly appreciate and, more importantly, will not present a danger to him or others.

Another popular range of father's day gifts is the sports related gift. These are reasonably safe one might assume. Nevertheless, even these gifts can be considered bad if insufficient thought and attention is not paid. For example, buying you father an ornament that displays golf memorabilia on it when he cannot stand the sport is certainly a bad choice. Even worse is giving

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