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The question could be asked; what father wouldn't love to get a big screen TV or other such gift for Father's Day? The answer is that most probably would. However, though there are some men who are highly materialistic, most men really aren't.

Some gifts, jewelry for example, tends to be quite costly even for something simple. Most men don't crave gifts of jewelry though, particularly on Father's Day. This is just an example, but the point is that dad's tend to be perfectly happy receiving much less expensive and simpler gifts that have more relevance and functionality for the man.

Men very often are every bit as emotional as women are, but most show it in totally different ways. This means that while gifts on Mother's Day and other gift giving holidays most often key in on the emotional side of life when giving to a mother, the same isn't true of dads.

A great example is the dad who fancies himself as the do-it-yourselfer. It makes absolutely no difference if he really is or not. For this sort of man, a cheap set of screwdrivers or some drill bits might be a big thing. The cost isn't great, and yet the man will be thankful to receive such gifts, normally.

For the fisherman, some new flies, lures, tackle, or even a new creel is as good as gold. It means that someone realizes his interest, and he won't have to buy it himself. That last is a great clue, too. As a general rule, men do not like to go shopping. While there are exceptions, if you purchase something that results in the man not needing to shop for it, you really did accomplish something he'll appreciate even if he doesn't show it as much as you'd like.

Nearly always, men key in to and consider the simplest of pleasures. This equates to the least expensive. Yet another example of this is dining. A lot of women would be thrilled to have her husband take her out to a fancy restaurant for a special Mother's Day or birthday meal. The cost can be enormous. But for most dads, a nice steak cooked at home is preferable, and even at the cost of meat, a lot less expensive. If barbecue is suggested, he may even do the cooking.

One way to illustrate this is to do some comparisons. Keep in mind that there are exceptions and not everyone will fit into the following molds. These are just for the average man, woman, or family. Some of these have also been previously mentioned.

- Women: Jewelry, cost: often hundreds of dollars. Men: some hand tools or a new billfold or a hat of their favorite sports team, cost: usually less than $20.
- Teens: iPods, electronics, cell phones, PDA's. Cost: $200 and up. Dads: a new mouse or keyboard, a battery charger, a tape of music he likes. Cost: $10-$40
- Women: new major appliances. cost: a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars. Men: a new drill, hand saw, sander, car radio, etc. Cost: usually under $100.

Men most often focus on the practical rather than the emotional gifts. That isn't saying that they won't get emotional about receiving them. The point is that emotional gifts are nearly always more expensive than practical ones are. This isn't to say that women should feel selfish or guilty. It is just a different focus, so what pleases Dad tends to be much simpler and less expensive than what pleases Mom. Fact is most dads in all truth wouldn't have it any other way.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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