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The key to coming up with Father's Day gift ideas that are sure to please Dad is to appeal to his senses and emotions. Small children accomplish this with little effort with handmade gifts such as crayon pictures, painted rocks and decorated cookies. The good news is that there are dozens of alternative ideas for Father's Day gifts, suitable for giving by all ages.

Father-son images...

My son-in-law received a framed photo on Father's Day. My daughter has taken a picture of three pairs of shoes: Dad's size 11 flanked by comparatively tiny pairs of shoes worn by my then four-year old grandson and his baby brother. Today this heartwarming image still holds a place of honor on their living room wall.

Spending time with Dad...

A youngster spending the day and night camping out and fishing with dad would be an unusual and special gift from child to dad. Even if it's already a regular occurrence, who's to say dad wouldn't enjoy it again on this most special of days honoring him.

The older sons and daughters and dads - get, the more thought may need to go into Father's Day gift ideas.

My daughter, my grandsons and I were visitors at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. While touring the base, we found a store displaying caps for members and retired members of all branches of the military service. Because her father spent a portion of his Army time in Vietnam in the 1960's, my daughter decided to honor her father's Vietnam service, something he rarely talks about, with a special hat and a Vietnam veteran awareness ribbon on Father's Day.

Not yet a father...

I worked part time in an store where bouquets of fruit are the specialty. A young wife ordered a Father's Day arrangement for her husband, even though they don't yet have children. She's picked up the bouquet early in the morning and placed it in the trunk of their car as a surprise to be given to her husband when they arrived at their destination, a nearby airport where she'd booked a scenic air tour, her second surprise gift.

One idea springs from another...

When my daughter was a very young teen, her brother who was in the military and stationed overseas sent me money and asked me to take her out for a day of whatever she wanted. She chose a manicure, a haircut, a new outfit, movies and lunch out. She was thrilled to have "her day." Think what a treat such a day would be for your dad - to plan the day and maybe even spend it with you, his daughter or son.

My son is a longtime NASCAR fan, and is thrilled whenever he can attend a live race. Tickets can be pricey if you want a prime seat, but well worth it if dad is a race car fan. If you go along and spend the day with him, he'll get double the value on his special day. For extra bucks, you can arrange for your father to ride in - or even drive - a race car.

Father's Day gift ideas are limitless. To please Dad on his day, you don't have to spend a great deal of money. Your biggest investment can be time and thought, and after all, isn't he worth it!

Learn more about this author, Kathleen Richardson.
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