Hello!

Are you trying to decide what gift will be better than last year’s? Or is this the first Father’s Day for someone you love and cannot decide what to get? Here are a few no-nos:

Gift Cards. These are the easiest and safest gifts, but most people get this when they do not know what to get. If you must, put a good chunk of change in it and gift it. If it is what Dad asked for, go for it!
Neck Ties. Does anyone wear ties today? If someone wears a tie for work, I will say they have all the colors they like, and another tie on Father’s Day is ok, to add to the collection. If it does not have something special- kids’ names embroidered, handmade by the kids, etc. please do not get this.
Golf clubs. Do they play golf? Do they need another golf club? Think about this! If it is not signed by Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, Lydia Ko, or someone famous- no!
Toolboxes. Is there something special in the toolbox that you are about to get that is not in the toolbox they already have? Look for a different item if you do not mind seeing what you spent good money on in the corner.
Gadgets- these are cool, but are they practical? Most men want something practical, so cool is good but get a practical gift.

With a list like this, you might think, this makes it difficult to get a gift. I will say, you know this person, get them something they will like. In case you do not know what to get, here are some tips:

Get an annual subscription to an event they love to participate in or something they love to watch. If they love sports, you can get an annual subscription to the sport they love to watch- these days, Paramount Plus, Peacock TV, and Amazon Prime can get you the sports shows they like.
Get Experience gifts- I know a colleague who told me they were going to a special location with their dad, and he gets to spend time with his kids and grandkids in one location.
Gifts to show that you know him- I saw a show on YouTube (@Deep pocket monster) where this guy customized a Pokemon card for a friend who loved Pokemon. I thought that was so awesome!
Make something! My kids and I stumbled upon soapmaking and made a mustache soap for Dad! See it below
Send money- if they live overseas, send them money to spend on themselves. In some countries, currency exchanges make some currencies more valuable, and a monetary gift goes a long way.
If you must get a tie, try something different: go for a bow tie. Here is a link to one of my new favorite shopping sites to get bow ties.

And I will say, sometimes; it is the thought that counts. My dad passed away when I was a toddler, and I never got to celebrate him.

Enjoy your time with your dad, and hope this helps!

Always,

How long has it been since you were gone?

I hear you died when we were three years old and Baby T. was not even born yet!

This weekend world over, people celebrate the father figures in their lives and I try to remember whom mine was but can only remember the pictures Mommy saved of you. What if there were no pictures? I hear Ib looks like you and Baby T looks like you too. That is good to know but that does not replace your being gone!

I am not hear to bemoan your absence but to say thank you, thank you for the few years you lived and the positive impact you made, and how funny you were. That is what the three of us have heard about and the thought of that brings a smile to my face.

Grandpa- Mommy’s dad stepped in when you were gone and he showed us what it meant like to have a father figure in our lives. Grandpa might have been strict but he was always fair, he laughed, he danced, he walked with us and even helped with homework too. His love for fashion was admired and we all picked up on that. Did you know he loved telling stories and fairy tales too. One thing I know is he never spoke evil of you.

Mommy tried and is still trying. She did not shut down and let widowhood define her. She went to school and still works. I believe you would be proud of her. She tells stories of how you had to be shown how to carry Ib and I when we were babies because we were so little. She talks of how hard you worked because you had twins even when you were still in school. I respect that!

I wish you were alive today so I can ask you, how did mommy cope with twins in a country where she knew was not home. I know I can ask her this question but your perspective would have been nice. I could ask Grandpa how he coped knowing he had grand kids born oceans away and could read about milestones months after the grand kids have passed them.

It would have been nice to let you meet K, he has a big heart like you and he teases like I heard you used to. God sent him to me and I am the luckiest and most blessed gal in the world. Our baby or your grand kid would have loved to spend time with you too. It is soccer season, it would have been fun to hear you talk about the teams you played for and see you show Baby O, your skills… I wonder what he would have called you- Grandpa, Etete, Papa?

I get to thank God for the life you lived, and thank Him for being a Father from heaven and sending His Spirit to guide me and give me wisdom when I need fatherly advice.

Happy Father’s Day and I do miss you.

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