“Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is ‘soap-on-a-rope’”– Bill Cosby
Finding the perfect gift for your father can be notoriously difficult, and according to Rioma Cominelli, Director at First Loyalty Plus, it doesn’t seem to get easier the older you get. “Once you’ve moved out and have a family of your own, a hand-made pasta bracelet, a bright pink ‘I love you, dad’ tie or pair of practical socks doesn’t seem to hold the same lustre. To make matters worse, if you ask what your dad what he would like, he will likely claim that he already has everything and doesn’t need anything else.”
So, what’s the solution? Before you rush off to the ‘Father’s Day’ isle in your local supermarket and succumb to buying him a biltong hamper, soap-on-a-rope or the latest gadget that he’ll never use, Rioma offers some thoughtful gift ideas that will guarantee to make your aging dad feel treasured this Father’s Day:
1. Send him on a trip
If your pocket allows it, send him on a weekend away with your Mum to a resort, or if he’s a golfer why not sponsor a golfing night away. The gift of a holiday is something he’ll remember for years to come. Type up a travel itinerary, print it and wrap it!
2. Movie night
Send him to the movies with your Mum and let him pick the movie. Dad’s picks usually get voted down, so send him to a blockbuster movie that you know he will enjoy, then add a cold drink and popcorn combo to give him the full movie experience.
3. Hunt for food
What’s his favourite food? Italian, Indian, a man-sized steak?! Whether he loves sushi, ice cream or bunny chow, find out which restaurants are topping the list for his cuisine of choice and take him (and the rest of the family) on an adventure to try it out.
4. Pamper him
This experience gift is more traditionally suggested for Mum, but a lot of men love it too (but will seldom admit to it)! Surprise dad with a gift voucher for a sports massage (if he’s still active) or a “manly” pedicure. If dad is a bit frazzled, an hour of total relaxation will help all his built-up stress melt away, leaving him feeling refreshed, calm and relaxed. He may grumble about it under his breath, but afterwards, he’ll thank you.
5. The gift that keeps on giving
If you’re still not sure which experience your Dad would like the best, gift him a membership to a loyalty programme that is guaranteed to save him money over the next year. For example, for just R125 a month, First Loyalty Plus will help him save up to 50% on more than 500 000 hotels and resorts around the world, get up to R120 back on meals, two-for-one coffee and save up to 50% on movies and regular cooldrink and popcorn combos. And that’s just the start! With so many savings on offer, you will be giving him a gift that keeps on giving all year long.
“No matter what you decide to give or do, if your goal is to show him that he is loved and appreciated, the gift of an experience that helps him to make magical, lasting memories will always top the age-old soap-on-a-rope,” Rioma concludes.
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