Dad Blogs - Useful Parenting Tips for Dads » Holidays

Father’s Day ideas from radio’s Ernie D

Contributor — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:29:41 +0000

My first Father’s Day…its always special because in most cases you still have a “baby." There was no real extravagant gift that I got that day, but just the fact of knowing that it was my first real father’s day made it special for me. Whether it's his "first" father's day, or his 20th, here are father's day ideas all dads can enjoy.

Last year, I had been talking all spring and summer about going to the beach. So my wife, on a small budget went out and got a beach pack for me for Father’s Day. The kids and wife had spent all morning making a quiche, which is one of my favorite breakfasts, and we packed up the car with food, my gift and headed off to the beach. There I opened my gift and found a bunch of stuff that I had been excited about using. A boogie board, some new flip flops and my own goggles and we spent the entire day at the beach together building sandcastles, boogie boarding and having fun!

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.

Woe is us! Fathers Day spending down in 2009.

Paul Banas — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:01:19 +0000

However, note this: while moms "get" more on Mom's Day per capita, spending on moms in 2009 was expected to be down 10% while spending for dads only will dip about 5%. Americans are expected to spend an average of $90.89 on gifts for dad, down slightly from $94.54 last year. ... Highlights from NRF’s 2009 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey include: Consumers will spend the most ($1.9 billion) on a special outing such as a dinner or even a sporting event. ... Discount stores and department stores will be going head to head this Father’s Day as 33.9 percent of Americans plan on shopping at discounters and 33.7 percent will shop at department stores.

Dad rules: surviving Christmas – Times Online

Paul Banas — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:30:32 +0000

Here are some funny dad rules for surviving Christmas, especially the one about doing something really nice to kick things off, listen to people say "you shouldn't have," and then "don't" for the rest of the holiday. ... 2 Obviously, you want to arrive early so as to bag rooms before your sister arrives, but don’t drive children in the daytime, or you’ll arrive stressed and covered in crumbs. ... 8 Go to bed early and don’t make festive innuendos such as “I’ve got to stuff the turkey”, or “I’d better get to bed.

Best last-minute gift ideas for moms

Paul Banas — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:45:12 +0000

Just a few days left to get your shopping done. Here are some ideas if you're short on time. ... Books are a great idea because

Shrek the Halls DVD – a fun holiday appetizer for the whole family

Paul Banas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:09:42 +0000

Clocking in at 22 minutes, this video is a a very short diversion that may even become a classic about the holiday season like "It's a Wonderful LIfe" or The Grinch. ... And when he says family, he's not talking about Donkey, Puss 'n Boots, and all the other fairy tale creatures (Three little pigs, Gingerbread man) who live down the lane. Shrek has to find the real way to celebrate Christmas which, as some character says, isn't something you follow a cook book recipe to do.

Holiday gifts for grilling dads

Paul Banas — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:18:14 +0000

But maybe the dad on your list does like to bbq while watching the news and needs a reminder call if you really want to consistently hit medium rare. ... You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for a good set, but make sure the tools are more than 20" long so dad doesn't burn the hair off his harms when cooking dinner. ... Weber Chimney Starter - $14 - If the dad on your list is still using lighter fluid, this is a simple tool he has to have.

Holiday gifts for star gazing dads

Paul Banas — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:58:10 +0000

Nothing beats lying on the grass on a warm August evening staring up in the sky and conveying the majesty and mystery of the heavens to a small child. ... Celestron Skyscout - $199 (50% cheaper than in 2007) - The Skyscout uses GPS to ID and 8000 starts and planets and then will even tell you about via audio or text. ... Orion Star Target Planisphere " target="_blank">Orion Star Target Planishere - $11.00 - This stargazing the old fashioned way, with a map of the heavens you hold up in the night sky.

A Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Paul Banas — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 23:12:19 +0000

Except for my son, of course, the boys were heedless, running wherever their little brains thought they could find pleasure. ... I was prepared for a lot of pleasure-oriented seeking, but not the heedless running, oblivious to either my yells or stern lectures. ... One of the kindergarten teachers mused, "If aliens landed and saw us out here communing with the hay and pumpkins, what would they conclude?

Buy this today – Lego Advent calendar

Paul Banas — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:38:53 +0000

LEGO City Advent Calendar 2008 - If you wait very much longer this cool advent calendar will be sold out for Christmas. This calendar has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday, but kids love to open up the little parts every day at breakfast, counting down the days 'till they have more stuff to open. Make sure to get a little plastic box as well to hold all the little tiny parts.