Give Dad a Break; Forget About the Handkerchiefs

by: Louella S. Suque
2007-06-06

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If there is one thing to be depressed about on a Fathers’ Day, it’s definitely the profusion of boxed handkerchiefs with the sign “Fathers’ Day Gift Idea” over them.

Fathers have been receiving boxed handkerchiefs every Fathers’ Day for the last five decades. This year, give your old man a break and give him something he will not stash away in the closet. You could, for example, give him one of the following:

Tim Burton’s Big Fish DVD

For those who have never seen the movie, settle down; this Tim Burton film is neither about resurrected corpses, nor Goth oddities. Big Fish is a movie recounting the story of a father who is fond of elaborating tales of his peculiar life as a youth. A nominee of four Golden Globes, this feel-good film portrays a unique father-and-son relationship and all the filial affection that comes with one.

Grooming Kit

Just because your father doesn’t vent out his frustrations about his ever-changing physical façade doesn’t mean he is not concerned about it. He is very much like any human, who worries about aging skin and graying hair. A grooming kit would definitely make him pleased to know that there is a way to alleviate the frustration of growing and looking old.

For a grooming kit, you may gather a facial cleanser, a moisturizer, a razor, and a box of hair colorant and assemble them in a nice decorated gift box. For a facial cleanser, you may have to choose one that is mild and formulated with anti-oxidants to enhance and maintain the skin’s suppleness.

A moisturizer is also a must for aging skin, especially the ones made for individuals 40 years-old and above. This type of moisturizer repairs damaged and dried-out skin, and corrects pigmentation and loss of skin elasticity. The best option would be a moisturizer formulated with Retinol and organic tea extracts.

For the hair colorant, you may want to choose a color that suits your father’s skin tone or, to be safe, a color close to his original hair color. For the more daring fathers, you may opt for lighter hues of brown. Lastly, if you’re adding in a razor, make dad happier by also throwing in a canister of shaving cream.

A Gym Membership

Exercise and physical activity that is comprised of things other than getting up from the toilet five times a night and scooping up dog filth from the carpet is a must for every individual, both young and otherwise. Physical exercise has been proven as an important component in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Aside from the fact that it helps in the prevention of life threatening diseases, a good exercise also increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, enhancing memory and cognition. Also, it may be a great option to throw in a pair of good trainer shoes along with the gym membership certificate which will perhaps inspire dad to train not just in the weekends.

A Basket of Healthy Food

Your father likes to eat and not even a threatening ad on obesity could make him turn down that bag of pork rinds. For starters, you may want to present dad with a basket of the healthiest options for food and drinks. Load up the basket with vegetables and fruit, grain products such as cereal and oats and cartons of low fat milk. If your father can’t simply stay away from snacks, you may pile up on rice crackers and baked (not fried!) potato chips with less sodium content or packets of trail mix—a snack made of an assortment of nuts and dried fruits like raisins and prunes.

A Fresh Diary

What’s a better stress reliever than writing down your thoughts on paper at the end of the day? Writing has been proven as a tension buster, more like recounting your frustrations to a silent, listening friend and a cheaper, better option over occasional, expensive trips to a shrink. Your father would be more than glad to have his very own life chronicle—perhaps a great testimonial to a life led for generations after him.

Life for fathers has evolved through the years. Now, health and well-being really are the main concern and point of interest. These gift suggestions would hopefully break the usual necktie-mug gift ideas. But then again, you are more than welcome to throw in a pack of handkerchiefs in the gift box. Though terribly cliché, a father would always appreciate a good hankie.

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