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Gift ideas for Outdoorsy Dads

Paul Banas — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:43:25 +0000

Father's Day is this Sunday and if you're anything like me, you've waited until the last minute to find a gift. Good news is we're here to help. If you have a dad that likes to spend time outdoors, check out the following suggestions. Your local outdoor store will likely carry many of these items, or you can easily find them online with the links provided. Most retailers would be happy to ship overnight so that gear arrives in time for dad's big day.

Seven more new and different father’s day gifts 2010

Paul Banas — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:12:42 +0000

The beef here isn't just organic, but both grass-fed and "grass-finished," which means that even at the end of the cow's life, when most processors send cattle to a big yard where they are grain fed, La Cense beef is fed grass all through their entire lives. ... Cakes are usually for birthdays, but who says you can't send one for Father's Day, especially if dad is a long ways off, and you know he LOVES cake. ... The FakeTV Burglar Deterrent " target="_blank" title="Fake TV">FakeTV Burglar Deterrent from Smarthome is just a small box that just makes random color light patterns, which make a room look like someone is there watching TV, as in every other house up and down the block.

...Then, I spotted this little guy: a perfect and portable iPhone stand that costs less than a penny and is a perfect gift for kids to make for dad.

...Rather than relying on the drama of black and white to show the power of fathers, Houser instead looks to portray a modern dad who isn't just there to save the day, but also to do the laundry and make breakfast.

Five new and different Father’s Day gift ideas.

Paul Banas — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:27:37 +0000

Golf Pride, among others, makes grips in different types that can be engraved with dad's name, or you can buy them pre-engraved to say "#1 Dad." ... I helped my daughter (minimally) make sugar cookies one morning, and while she was able to do most of the work, following directions and making the cookies, it felt like something we were doing together. This isn't a gift for all dads, but every dad likes a good cookie, so it might just be a way for the kids to actually make the cookies for once. ... I used to enjoy a nice shave in the shower or with lots of lather in the bathroom sink, but post-kids, sometimes I just don't even get around to it. ... But if there's one thing Katrina made really clear, is that it might be several days before help arrives in a major disaster of some unknown type, and we all should have a disaster plan and kit.

Fun family Wii Game for 3 players – Alvin, The Squeakquel

Paul Banas — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:17:28 +0000

Here's a title that we tried recently and all enjoyed because it kept us moving with music, if you call pop covers sung by chipmunks "music." Alvin, the Squeakquel, for Wii delivers what it promises, a fun music game for kids that older players can enjoy, at least for a while. ... Players just use their WiiMotes to match the required rhythm for Alvin and Chipmunks covers of hit songs like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "Funky Town," -- titles dad knows -- along with some more recent pop hits. ... While Alvin, The Squeakquel can be played solo, it's far more fun as a party game or played by dad and two kids (3 players max). ... However, while the kids loved the music and played the songs several times, this game got tiresome quickly for older ears and its novelty value wore away after a few plays. ... All in all, if you want to try out a music and rhythm Wii title that will work for little kids, that isn't too complicated, and that does not require a $300 investment in a Rock Band set, this is an amusing title to start with.

Mini-Review – Pocket Doodles for Kids – a good book for a plane ride

Paul Banas — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:59:59 +0000

Pocket Doodles for Kids is a fun book for kids who like to draw. When my daughter first saw this book at nine, though she fancied herself a budding an artist, it was hard for her to know what to do. ... It's a lot of half-finished drawings that give just enough detail that a young artist can add on to complete the picture. Depending on the artist, the end result can be a funny cartoon with a caption or just a completed drawing. This is not a coloring book, but a good idea starter for young (or older) illustrators.

Treat your wife like your boss? Excerpt from Parking Lot Rules

Paul Banas — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:31:50 +0000

TREAT HER LIKE YOUR BOSS No matter how tired or fed up you are with how things are going at the office or store or school, or wherever you might work, if the person who signs your paycheck walks in, somehow there is a little reserve of goodwill saved up, just for him or her. ... This is the source to which you might consider turning when you are completely fed up with your daughter, when she has found your last nerve and is standing on it, when you realize you have memorized the phone number of the private military academy over in the next county. But instead of raising your voice to her, instead of saying some things you may regret later, instead of reminding her that you brought her into this world, instead of embarrassing her in front of the entire family, even though that is precisely what she deserves, just imagine . . .

New green gift ideas for Father’s Day

Paul Banas — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:43:54 +0000

For some dads, of course, a home improvement gift is a bit like getting a mixer for mom's day, but, just like a primo Kitchen Aid mixer is a great gift for a baking mom, these gifts can be killer choices for dads who love to tinker and save. ... Just let the worms do their work in their Worm Farm inside or outside and at the bottom you'll get worm tea, perfect for enriching the soil of your garden and create super-growing plants. ... Use discount code "sustain" in the keycode section of the checkout form for a 20% discount off everything (the discount will be confirmed in an email after the order is processed.)

Five free gifts to celebrate Father’s Day

Paul Banas — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:39:45 +0000

Father's Day, or any holiday doesn't need to be another reason to spend a lot of money shopping for stuff just so you have a package to wrap. In fact, most dads just want to feel appreciated on Father's Day and that doesn't even mean a $3 Hallmark card. ... What dad doesn't want to be told that it would be great if he got out of the house to play some golf, knowing that a barbecue will be set up and nice cold beer waiting when he gets back.

Gifts for Traveling Dads

Paul Banas — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:24:09 +0000

The Tray Bien is a black sleeve that fits over the tray table creating your own set of pockets including a bottle holder This may seem like a goofy idea, but after I left an ipod in the front seat pocket on my last flight of the day, I see the value. ... It is another thing to carry, but I always bring mine along now, especially when I'm with the kids since that's when it's easiest to get distracted and lose your brand new ipod because someone needs to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW (grumble, grumble). ... Bialetti espresso pot -Okay, he's not going to get this into his carry-on, but if your dad needs an espresso to get going and lug the full-size Astra to your weekend getaway, this updated version of the classic espresso maker might be the next best thing.

Five Fathers Day gifts for geeky dads (and who isn’t geeky these days?)

Paul Banas — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:37:15 +0000

If you have a dad who has an iPod and can't get enough music, an iTunes gift card is a nice touch. ... If your dad uses the computer a lot, a perfect gift is an extra computer monitor so he can look like one of those stock traders you see while scanning past the Bloomberg channel. ... I know there are state of the art monitors (everyone loves the "24 Apple at $900), but I really like my ViewSonic "22 inch ViewDock monitor because it comes with an iPod dock (not iPhone unfortunately), stereo speakers, a headphone jack and mic input, and three powered USB ports. $449 on Amazon.