Father’s Day Gifts that Score Points with the ‘Greatest Dad’

With Father’s Day only weeks away, finding a meaningful gift for that greatest of dads (yours) can be a challenge. Finding a gift that that you can share with your father that is both meaningful and affordable can be even more daunting.

Still, going for a knockout gift does not have to break the bank. Particularly important, especially after the horrors of Sept. 11, is selecting a gift that you actually think he will enjoy, and not a ‘place keeper’ gift that simply provides an opportunity to unwrap something, meaningful or not.

Focus on shared interests or explore Dad’s history a bit and find out a little more about his interests. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, not only of your father, but also of other relatives and friends who might know your father’s interests better than you do.

Here are some tips you can use before shopping for Dad:

* Set a spending limit for yourself and stick to it. If your budget only permits you to spend $25, don’t waste your time looking at gifts you can’t afford.

* Check online gifts for ideas and bargains -- AOL, Yahoo, e-Bay and other servers provide ample shopping opportunities. Even if you don’t end up buying online, you can get some great ideas.

* Comparison shop for the best prices. Unless you check around, you might end up paying more than you have to.

* Think outside the box, particularly the tie box and the shirt box. Colognes, change caddies, "world’s best dad" tee shirts and other such gifts are always appreciated, but often go unused. Take the time to search out alternatives based on your dad’s interests. If Dad is a baseball fan, tickets to a Minor League Baseball game are affordable and provide a wonderful opportunity to spend more time together without spending a lot of money;

* Share a thought or a theme with Mom or a brother or sister. For example, if Dad is a fan of Muhammad Ali, your mom can buy him "Ali", the award-winning movie that is due out on DVD and VHS before Father’s Day. To make the experience even more meaningful, you can get him "Muhammad Ali, The Greatest," a new collectible magazine authorized by Ali and edited by renowned boxing historian and writer Bert Randolph Sugar.

The 128-page magazine features great photographs of Ali throughout his career, articles written by former champs Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Jose Torres and other boxing personalities. Priced at $19.95, it also features reproductions of LeRoy Neiman paintings, sketches, cartoons by the New York Daily News’ Pulitzer Prize winning artist Bill Gallo and candid photos from the set of the "Ali" movie, starring Will Smith. Best of all, "Muhammad Ali, The Greatest" can be ordered online at www.alimagazine.com, or by calling call 1-866-alimag1 (1-866-254-6241).

* Keep it simple -- size and expense mean less to Dad than sentiment. That’s one reason Father’s Day is the second biggest holiday for the sale of books. Add to that DVDs, CDs and tapes and you have gifts that will constantly remind dad of your thoughtfulness.

Courtesy of ARA Content