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BANG FOR THE BITE
It takes a little more effort than dropping into JC Penney's tie section, but eco-gifts are lighter on the earth and save Dad from pretending he likes your taste in ties.
COCKTAIL FACT
While Mother's Day is the biggest day of the year for phone calls, Americans make more collect calls on Father's Day than on any other.
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home › tip library › Father's Day Gifts
Wanna give Dad a gift that's not garbage?
The Bite
Try a Father's Day gift that's more green than groan. Get Dad an eco-present he won't immediately auction on eBay, and send the unwanted-tchotchkes packin'.The Benefits
- The experience of it all. Instead of buying another product, you can save Dad's closet space, and natural resources by getting him tix to a basketball game or taking him out for lunch.
- Gifts that give back. Example: A year's pass to a nearby national park is great for hiking-enthusiast Dads, plus it helps support the National Park Service.
- Building green biz momentum. Buying green products supports the growing green economy.
Personally Speaking
To commemorate his nine months as the Biter Tee Distribution Manager a few years back, the Ideal Bite gang gave Heather's dad a Solio solar charger on Father's Day.Wanna Try?
Experience Gifts- A class on bartending, fly-fishing, or kayaking; tickets to a sports game; a gift certificate for a massage, restaurant, or coffeehouse; a round of play at a golf course or miniature golf course; or a membership to Netflix, a museum, or a park/conservation organization. Or create a homemade gift certificate to help Dad with chores like doing the dishes.
- Fleurville Re-Run Stroller Bag - made from recycled water bottles, it's light and perfect for new Mr. Moms; in seven colors ($70).
- Watch Works Cufflinks - haute-but-Dad-friendly cufflinks made from old watches ($120).
- HYmini - a portable charger for Dad's cell or mp3 player that powers up using solar and/or wind energy; in three colors ($60).
- Jack Black Supreme Cream - its soy and macadamia nut oil make for the best cream the Biter boys ever shaved with ($12).
- DB Clay Wallets - tope (an eco-alternative to leather and toxic plastics) vegan wallets with embossing or retro images printed on them ($48).
Jun 05,2008
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Dad Makes It Hard to Miss
It's weird, but I've never seen a dad, mine or someone else's, get really excited about a gift. I've thought about why this could be for a hot minute, and cheesy as this sounds, maybe the best thing they ever got was a kid (ie. you), and every other present since then has just been gravy.
I think they just like knowing they're appreciated - and whether you show that through a coupon for a free beard trim or a pair of recycled polyester socks, I'm betting you'll get the same reaction - a very grateful hug.
-Toshio...off to mail Dad's gift...
Biter Comments...
ICK! Sounds like you'd be better off SEEING Jack Black the actor at your local movie house ("Kung Fu Panda," which has gotten good reviews, is out this weekend, although it's just his voice in the lead) or in your DVD player. (If you haven't seen it already, I highly recommend "School of Rock.")
Amy, sometimes I think the Bite crew don't always do their homework on the products they recommend before they recommend them, otherwise, if they did, they wouldn't recommend all that chemically-loaded junk they do.
Anyway, there are some other good Dad's Day gift ideas in this tip, like taking Dad out for lunch, and/or giving him a gift subscription to Netflix.
Amy and Linda-
Rest assured - Ideal Bite always checks ingredients lists before recommending products. Jack Black Supreme Cream isn't currently listed on EWG's Cosmetics Database, but you can view the full list of ingredients on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Black-Supreme-Triple-Cushion/dp/B000M1GDVC) - the stuff's free of parabens and unknown fragrances.
Thanks Toshio,
I thought it sounded yummy and was gonna order it for my hubby but was turned off by other products listed on EWG. Thanks for the info.
Amy
Hey fellow Biters, if Dad is into sports (or even just an armchair quarterback), you can always get him a new eco-certified sports ball for Father's Day.
Our line of eco-balls for football, basketball, soccer, and more are available at Whole Foods Markets, the Gaiam catalog, or our website www.fairtradesports.com.
But if he has enough sports balls in his life already, you can't go wrong with the classic big hug + "thanks for raising me even when I was an insane teenager" Father's Day gift.
Enjoy the weekend with Dad!
I like the homemade gift certificate. You can personalise to your dad's needs/taste. No expense-no impact on the environment. Happy dad!! Sounds win-win to me!!
Anyone else having trouble ordering the Hymini products? Does anyone have either the solar or windpowered chargers? I'd love to get this for my wanna-be green Dad, but keep getting error messages. Any suggestions?
--Jen
i haven't tried ordering them but if you're in NYC I noticed yesterday that they're sold at 3R Living on 5th Ave in Bklyn and are avail on their website -http://www.3rliving.com/category_s/12.htm
Every year I get dad something he really doesn't need (and it's proven when I see it a year later and it's still in the box sitting on his closet shelf). The last few years I just decided to spend time with him, and it's been wonderful.
This year I'm doing the same again, but I also broke down and got him a stainless steel water bottle, 'cause I don't like seeing him take his plastic (i.e. full of BPA and who knows what) bottle with him everywhere. Got him this manly one with a peacock feather on it:
http://www.brightandbold.com/stbo33ozpe.html
But I think the lesson holds true - skip getting him junk he won't use, but don't hesitate to get him something he really NEEDS... especially if it means he'll be healthier and around longer for you to spend lots more Father's Days with him...whether it's extending his gym membership for a few months or getting him some new running shoes, or just a bottle like I did. :)
Happy early Father's Day to all of the GREAT dads out there!
I always try to give gift to my dad and i gave gifts like watches and apparels which my dad uses and they remember me.i think gift is the one way to express our feeling towards our dad!
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I Think the technique is to spend more time with your dad so you will know what interests him. That way, you'll get a hint on what to give him next.
Motorcycle Fairings
My husband wants "anything that will save him either time or money." That keeps the kids off the junk for him. One year we got him a programmable thermostat--that thrilled him! We've done a nice cd-alarm clock, a composter (earth machine), a good smoker, a really nice, supportive backpack and lunchbox ('cause he rides the bus to work). Most times, though, he just wants a quiet day and a glass of scotch.
He gives his dad "computer time" through the year, where he goes over and sits with him and teaches him something new on the computer or helps him with questions. They talk more in one afternoon now than they did his entire freshman year. They never do a formal "Father's day" present.
I always gave my dad a bottle of scotch, and he'd use it over the year, depending on me to give him another the next year! That was a fun tradition.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Amy Wolford | June 05, 2008 at 07:07 AM