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Fabulous Father's Day Gifts

By Madelyn Miller

Some people think Dads are really hard to buy gifts for. They don’t seem to hint as well as Moms do. The best way to figure out what he would love is analyze what he does in his spare time. Does he like garage gadgets? Barbequing? Here are some presents that almost any man would love.

IS YOUR DAD A GEISHA BOY?

Would he enjoy treating his family to a special meal he made all by himself?

If you live near an ocean, maybe he could even catch dinner.

Then Sushi Chef’s® Sushi Making Kit might be the perfect gift. All you need to complete Sushi Chef’s® all-inclusive sushi making kit is a pot and fresh ingredients.  The sushi in Sushi Chef’s® kit is vinegared rice, as opposed to raw fish, and allows cooks to use any type of topping or filling to prepare sushi.  This kit includes short grain rice, rice vinegar, sushi vinegar, nori, wasabi, pickled ginger, dark soy sauce, bamboo mat, bamboo paddle and Sushi Chef® cookbook.  This kit, which includes many critical elements overlooked by competitors, is the perfect gift for everyone from the “sushi beginner” to the adventurous cook.  (Suggested retail price: $34.95)

Moms will love this  unusual gift (not to mention the kids!).

IS YOUR DAD A GADGET GUY?

How could any man resist a gift with screw in its name? Wouldn’t your dad love Screwpull Corkscrews for Father’s Day! Screwpull, the choice of wine enthusiasts worldwide and inventor of the original Lever Model, has a variety of corkscrews for Father’s Day to fit any budget.

Screwpull 3-in-One Corkscrew, Foilcutter, Bottle Opener

This handy little tool is a must-have for picnics, barbeques or a day at the beach.  Available in a variety of colors, the versatile 3-in-one is lightweight, compact and simple to use.

Ergonomic “Up & Over” handle that clips to base when not in use

Incorporates Screwpull’s patented “spin-handle” for effortless “1-finger”

operation

Features Screwpull’s original self-pulling technology for removing corks 

IS HE A COLLEGE BOOSTER?

If he loves to talk about his college days, he will love these college collages by skilled photographer Jeffery Lance. Lance takes iconic pictures of colleges and universities and then assembles them into artistic collages. Every time he looks at these pics, Dad will be reminded of the good old’ days and your skills in gift giving.

I hate to say this is a no-brainer, but it is so easy to browse Lance’s website www.jeffreylancephotography.com and choose the college and presto, you have a customized gift guaranteed to please.

FOR YOUR TEA-RIFFIC DAD

For dads who love gadgets, we highly recommend the modern and gadgety teapot from INgenuiTea.  The most convenient teapot you will find anywhere. When tea is ready, simply place it atop your cup. This will cause a valve at the bottom to release: crystal-clear tea flows down, while the mesh filter retains all the leaves with one of the best infusers on the market. Super easy to clean and dishwasher safe. And it's microwaveable - perfect for the office or the road. Dad will

wonder how he got along without one. Made in Taiwan of food-grade plastic.

teapot: http://www.adagio.com/teaware/ingenuiTEA_teapot.html

IF YOU DAD HAS A MIND LIKE AN ELEPHANT GIVE HIM SOMETHING TO INCREASE HIS MEMORY

Apricorn makes the MicroKey line -- the most rugged USB-IF certified memory device on the market.

Apricorn's MicroKey, now available in 4GB, 6GB and 8GB capacities, is bus-powered with a sturdy, crush-resistant aluminum alloy case with dimensions of 3.4" x 2" x .50" weighing only 2.5 ounces. The MicroKey also incorporates a USB 2.0 connector that swivels, and a slim design that allows access to virtually any USB port.

If Dad can understand what this means, he will love it. The MicroKey is plug-n-play and hot swappable. Included with the MicroKey package is a protective carrying case, 1 meter USB extension cable, Second Copy 2000 Synchronizing Software and Cryptainer Encryption Software.

Software bundle features

-- Cryptainer Encryption Software included with the MicroKey utilizing Blowfish 128bit encryption, a mathematical process of scrambling data to ensure maximum privacy protection.

Second Copy 2000 Synchronizing Software allows for file sharing between multiple PCs, making certain replication tasks are efficient and maintain data integrity.

Prices start at $129

www.apricorn.com

DOES YOUR DAD HAVE BIG FEET?

We are not interested in his shoe size. We are suggesting an unusual gift that your Dad can cuddle up in.

Most people think of getting pajamas for Mothers Day. While Dad might want something a little more rugged than lingerie, he will feel totally appreciated with something from BIG FEET PAJAMAS.

Big Feet Pajamas are purposely oversized to allow for maximum comfort, flexibility and maneuverability while lounging and sleeping.

While every person’s sleep habits and patterns differ, most adults tend to change positions at least a dozen times per sleep session. The extra roominess afforded in your Big Feet Pajamas will allow you to change positions without restrictions.

www.bigfeetpjs.com

PREPARE EVERY KIND OF DAD FOR A FINE ADVENTURE WITH THESE FATHER’S DAY GIFTS

Everyone makes a fuss about Mother’s Day, but what about poor Dad? His closet is already piled high with an unlimited supply of ties from Father’s Days past, so it how can you show Dad you love him with a gift suited just for him?

Langenscheidt Publishing Group, the publisher with the most extensive collection of travel resources in the world, say there is more to Father’s Day than ties. They offer a book or atlas or map that is perfect for your dad no matter what time he is.

On-The-Road: Your Dad is always on the road.

American Map Business Travel Atlas is portable and helps dads who spend time on the road.  There is enough stress in traveling, without having to worry about car rentals, hotel and airline reservations and this book will help.

Workaholic: Your Dad works … all the time! Give your dad a Cruise Guide that lets him know now is the time to stop and smell the saltwater.

The preeminent cruise guide, Berlitz’s Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2006 reviews 269 cruise ships and is an essential tool in helping Dad pick out his dream cruise.

Relaxed: Dad has retired from his day job and now has time to travel. Let Dad explore the globe with the world’s hot destinations!

Insight Guides, the most extensive series of full-color travel guides, feature nearly 300 destinations including: Walt Disney World & Orlando, New York City, Hawaii, London, and Paris.

Adventurous: We all know that Dad who always wants to be up, moving and doing something … Give him the gift of adventure.

Insight Guide U.S. National Parks West: Stay close to home and go on the Road Trip of a lifetime! Follow this guidebook from surfing in California, to rock climbing in the Grand Canyon, ski the Rockies, and check out the United State’s largest active underground volcano in Yosemite Park.

Overprotective, Empty-Nester: It’s your first year in college, and Dad calls every night just to see “if your car needs more oil.” Put Dad’s mind at ease by giving him an Insight City Guide to your city. It’s thoughtful, (and has potential to minimize your cell phone bill).

Insight City Guide Boston

Insight City Guide Washington DC

Insight City Guide New York City

Insight City Guide Los Angeles

Weekend Warrior: Fridays are the night with the boys for poker and beer. Give Dad the real thing.

Insight City Guides Las Vegas:   Dad can realize his dream at the High Roller table in The City That Never Sleeps. This guidebook has a loaded deck of information on the top casinos, the best hotels, and the rich history of the city where you hope to depart as a rich person.

Visit www.langenscheidt.com for a complete catalog of over 3,000 U.S. and international street maps, road maps, atlases, travel guides, language-learning guides, and bilingual dictionaries.

Camouflage Your Dad’s Life

This isn’t your ordinary camo gear!  Built NY’s line of bottle totes are now available in camouflage.  Whether your Dad is traversing the city streets or trekking into nature, these bottle totes will insulate beverages while keeping them undercover.  Camouflage drinks at a party so they don’t fall victim to the charity fridge.  Wherever Dad goes, he’ll look stylish while keeping his thirst-quenchers cool and safe from thirsty thieves.

www.bilt.com

IS YOUR DAD A CLEANLINESS FREAK?

Holy Cow is a new all-purpose cleaner that literally cleans EVERY surface, so you only need to store the one bottle!  Ideal for dads with

limited storage space!  Even  though it's super strong and beats all the competition, it's totally biodegradable and kid-safe.  It doesn't contain a single harmful chemical.  And it only costs $2.99 to $3.99 for a 32 oz. bottle, nationwide!

www.holycowproducts.com

IF YOUR DAD NEVER STOPS WORKING HELP HIM LOOSE A LITTLE WEIGHT

He may not have time to exercise, but he will sure appreciate this  

Table Tote™ Worktable. It weighs a lot less than my purse or your dad’s golf clubs.

Full-height, Telescoping Worktable folds to fit in a laptop case!  Table Tote™ weighs just 3 lbs., and folds to a mere 13-1/2" x 10-3/4" x 1-3/8" thick, to slide easily into  carry-on or laptop PC case! But when Dad is ready ready to work, four aluminum legs with no-slip rubber feet telescope from 13" to 30" tall; non-skid table surface expands from 12" to 24" wide; and the document holder holds papers so you can type more easily! Use as a slide-projector table too. Supports up to 18 lbs. Includes mouse pad.

Improvements Tote Table™ Worktable

Price: $59.98

Telescoping Worktable perfect for the traveling dad because it slides easily into their carry-on luggage or laptop PC case!

Weighs just 3 lbs. and folds to a mere 13-1/2" x 10-3/4" x 1-3/8" thick

When dad is ready to work, the 4 aluminum legs with no-slip rubber feet telescope from 13" to 30" tall; non-skid table surface expands from 12" to 24" wide; and the document holder holds papers so dad can type more easily!

Use as a slide-projector table too.

Supports up to 18 lbs.  

$59.99.

Available from the Improvements Catalog  

Improvements Table Tote Worktable - Item: 224452

www.improvementscatalog.com   

DOES YOUR DAD HAVE TWO LEFT FEET?

Give him the gift of ballroom dancing.  

Ballroom dance lessons are an unexpected idea for Father’s Day.  The incredible popularity of ballroom dance extends across several generations and in cities across the country and around the world.   A package of lessons for ballroom dance lessons is as easily purchased at any Arthur Murray Dance Studio as a power tool at the local big box hardware store, and has many advantages over the usual litany of socks, wallets and chain saws.  Here’s how:

Ballroom dance lessons offer many benefits:

Great exercise – a low-pressure way to get Dad up off of the couch and moving

Romantic - creates an instant “date night” with Mom

Good for the brain – regular ballroom dance has been the subject of many studies and is considered a useful tool in the battle against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia

Booster for social life – people who dance are social animals

Reap rewards for a lifetime – family parties, business and community events are more enjoyable for those who are confident in their dance skills.

For more information, contact the Arthur Murray Studio in your town

www.arthurmurray.com

DOES YOUR DAD KNOW EVERYTHING?

Have you ever wondered which US city has the highest income?  How about the most common reasons for emergency room visits? Or perhaps which county has the lowest murder rates?

The answers to these questions and more can be found within The Data Almanac (QStat USA Inc., Feb. 2006), the culmination of Dr. Philip Truscott’s lifelong interest in putting research power in the hands of the average person.

The Data Almanac takes America's most popular reference book and multiplies it by the power of your imagination. For 280 years, almanacs have published information on every facet of life. However, this is not your everyday almanac. The Data Almanac is a collection of over 20,000 items of public information and costs $49.95 - a bargain, considering all of this information individually would cost a total of $750. It contains data on 12 million people, trade shipments, crime incidents, countries and much more. Just like the dictionary and atlas, this research tool is a necessity for all bookshelves.

The Data Almanac is intended to take research power that has long existed in the hands of experts and place it in the palms of ordinary people, by allowing them to customize and graph their own statistics. With the ability to analyze data on 4 million people in under 10 seconds, it differs from all existing almanacs in that all of the tables in the printed text can be reproduced and customized using the accompanied data disk. The software is high-speed and user-friendly, with the main message being, “You can do it!”

If any of the statistical tables in The Data Almanac’s printed text interest readers, they can simply insert the CD-ROM and customize the tables to fit their needs. For example: one table shows the detailed breakdown of America's weapon's exports to Middle Eastern Countries. If readers want to run the same table for Latin America, they can simply load the table definition and change the countries that are included.

Not only does The Data Almanac provide a resource the average household will want, it also contains data essential for almost any professional, including lawyers, doctors, law enforcers, public policy makers, researchers, journalists, students, teachers, realtors, and many more.

www.thedataalmanac.com.

IS YOUR DAD A TIRED OLD ASS WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR?

He will love these useful gag gifts from Old Moon Products.

The Father’ Day roundup is fun:

Tired Old Ass Soak bath salts

Tired Old Ass Splash – an aftershave spray (definitely NOT girly!)

Tired Old Ass Balm – a massage balm for sore muscles

IronMan Balt Salts

Peaceful Forest Bath Salts

A Better Smoke – Herbal tobacco alternative

Warming Ginger Cayenne Footbath and Lotion – for cold or sore feet

The whole Sporting Cures line:  Magical Muscle Oil, Dream Cream, Ass/Asana Kisser (same balm, different fun labels; it’s like Ben Gay but better for the body and definitely SMELLS much better!)

Sleep Comes Easy – a balm in a tin that you rub under your nose

Many people gave given the Tired Old Ass product line as an initial gag gift but come back for more when they realize it really works.

Madelyn Miller is a writer and web entrepreneur who writes for www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, and www.cocktailatlas.com. She has several more websites planned.

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