It used to be the case that father was the easiest person to please when it came to a birthday present for dad. In our house it was always socks, cigars, and a case of his favorite ale. You could never go wrong. That was until he hit the big four oh! Dad said that his 40th birthday present to himself was to begin a new healthier lifestyle which included a major cut down on the booze and quitting the tobacco altogether. This left us kids with just the socks and we suddenly found ourselves having to rethink new birthday ideas for dad for the first time in our lives, plus the added hassles of throwing 40th birthday present ideas into the equation.
Anyhow, with a little imagination, we soon realized that there were more choices in life than just socks, booze and cigars for his birthday. In fact, there are lots of imaginative items for a birthday present for Dad, and here's a few ideas that my help you decide. If he has a hobby or sport, it's a good place to start. Golf gives a range of possibilities from a box of fluorescent golf balls to a golf computer game featuring great courses of the world. If he's a keen angler, there's always a new fishing basket or a rod? Followers of a certain soccer or baseball team like to have the mugs, replica shirts and other memorabilia.
Most Dads like gadgets, for the home or the office. A stick on basketball net or a miniature air hockey table would be a good birthday present for Dad. There are smaller gadgets too, like a card shuffler or a combination bottle opener and lighter. Men never quite grow out of penknives or model airplanes. A scale model of the starship Enterprise would keep him out of mischief for a while. You can always get him something that you can challenge him with, such as a shoot 'em up computer game.
Our dad always jokes that once he hits 50, it'll all come easy again as most dad's 50th birthday present is a simple pair of carpet slippers. "It's a time when comfort takes over from fashion and style" he jests. "Pottering kicks in place of rushing around". Blah! I think he's being a little pessimistic there, as he's a strong as an Ox and we can't ever imagine him slowing down until that final curtain is drawn.
Anyhow, back to 'dads' in general. Gardeners always need something for the garden, a new trowel or seed planter perhaps. A gardening gift would be a practical birthday present for Dad, especially if it was appropriate for the time of year. For example, you could get him some packets of seeds or some bedding plants. That will also give him good exercise.
Dads deserve to relax too, and they may appreciate a home brewing kit for beer. Another birthday present for Dad could be a year's supply of different wines around the world, delivered in installments each month. You may be able to arrange a visit to a local winery or whiskey distillery.
When Dad puts his feet up, he may like to watch some DVDs. There are plenty box sets in the shops with themed films such as war, westerns or spy movies that would make a good birthday present for Dad. Some of them feature one actor, very often a veteran like John Wayne or James Stewart. There are plenty DVDs of great sporting events too and ones that tell the history of sports like boxing and baseball. If he's a real film buff, he may appreciate a membership in a DVD club.
Lots of modern day dads love to flex their handyman muscles around the home, and power tools always make a great gift unless pops is a real DIY disaster. And even if he is, then a home improvements book along with a Do-it-yourself guide for beginners might be a welcome prezzie for all the family! Could save you a bit too if he learns how to do a few jobs that are usually paid for!
The bottom line is that whoever you are buying a birthday gift for, a little thought outside of the box goes a long way and shows that you care. Age and personality play a big part in choosing too, and a 21st birthday present should be quite different to something you would buy a middle aged man. Yes, we all wear socks, but in hindsight, I think it was a little careless and presumptuous of us kids to just grab these convenience gifts, and so shopping for dad is going to be a lot more thoughtful from now on. Right, that's dad sorted out, now we better start thinking about a birthday present for mom, but that's for another article.
The Perfect Birthday Present for Dad 
