This Father's Day, avoid giving the dad in your life the default man gift (a gift card to the local hardware store) and instead opt for a present that doesn't bring to mind a never-ending honey-do list.
Paul Schmid of Bellevue is a husband, father of three girls, avid kayaker and marketing consultant. Schmid says a great Father’s Day gift (or any gift for your partner for that matter) “should start with trying to figure out what your man really wants. A wily woman can use both indirect and direct means.”
If you prefer the indirect approach, Schmid advises gift-givers consider the recipient's hobbies or pastimes.
“Think about getting tickets for him and his best buds or the two of you to a future event he would really enjoy," Schmid said.
Signing him up to take a class is another great gift idea for a dad, Schmid said. And if all else fails, he suggests a more direct approach.
“Ask him!" he said. "Nothing wrong with asking your spouse what they want for Father’s Day, a birthday or Christmas. More economic value is destroyed every year in this country on unwanted and unappreciated gifts.”
Local ideas
For Eastside moms and kids in search of exceptional Father’s Day gifts, there are some great choices locally.
Redmond’s offers meat-loving dads a bounty of tasty treats, including the Rufus Teague line of barbecue sauces and mouth-watering, carved-to-order steaks and ribeye. Scott Molyneaux, the butcher for the Redmond location, said the store can help give customers instructions on how to prepare the perfect steak for dad.
A family portrait session is a great gift for any parent, and Eastside photographer Misty Kuo is offering a special Father's Day package. For $75, you'll receive a 45-minute session either outdoors at your favorite park or at your Eastside home, along with a disk and link containing all the edited images. View Kuo's work online, and contact her at 206-601-8680 to book your appointment or purchase a gift certificate.
Managers of recommend these dad-pleasing books, many of which can be found – for half price – at the Redmond store. For boat enthusiasts, there's The Marlinspike Sailor by Hervey Garrett Smith. Timeless humor abounds in My Life and Hard Times by James Thurber. Engineers and would-be inventors will appreciate The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay and Neil Ardley. Tales of adventures in the Old West are featured in the Frontier Anthology by Zane Grey, which includes the books, Betty Zane, The Spirit of the Border and The Last Trail.
And if your dad or husband loves to cook outdoors, he might enjoy Cooking the Cowboy Way, Recipes Inspired by Campfires, Chuck Wagons, and Ranch Kitchens by Grady Spears and June Taylor.
Is dad a music or movie lover? ' new store location in Bellevue at has a huge array of the latest music and movie offerings and a smart staff that are happy to help you find a great gift based on what he already listens to or loves to watch.
in Bellevue is a great resource for gifts for cyclist dads. You can bring his bike in for a basic $75 tune up to help keep him safely rolling. To schedule an appointment, call the Bellevue store at 425-462-1900. Dad might like the Innovation Deluxe Tire Repair Kit ($20) for on-the-go fixes.
Other great sources on the Eastside for dad-pleasing gifts include the at and the Apple Retail Store in . in Redmond has a great selection of gifts for dads who like to camp, hike, bike or fish. Big Five Sporting Goods stores in Issaquah and the in and Issaquah also offer a wide array of gear for any sport a dad loves to play.
