Whether the dad in your life is a rough and tumble kind of guy or prefers Armani suits to t-shirts and jeans, there's a gift out there that will show him how much you appreciate all that he does for you. Whether he'd rather spend the afternoon improving his handicap or playing video games, there's something in this Holiday gift guide for your dad, husband or significant other. We're skipping some of the more obvious big-ticket items like TVs and grills. Instead we're giving you some fresh and creative ideas. And if that special guy isn't a dad, he'll love these items too!
Corporate Dad
Gifts
He's Polished with a capital P. Down to his shiny Italian leather shoes, the guy in your life wouldn't be seen without a crisp buttondown and a pair of pressed dress pants. Or, maybe he needs a little nudge in the right direction. Either way, he'll appreciate the luxury and quality of these snazzy duds.
The Classic White Shirt
Nothing looks more elegant that a crisp herringbone white buttondown with French cuffs like one from Forzieri.
Ties (guys like them, really!)
Ties get a bad rap as the stand-by gift for men but if your guy works in an office, he wears ties! And any savvy businessman knows that all components of his work ensemble send a message. A luxury silk tie is the only way to go. Trust us, he will love it (and wear it).
The timeless watch
Corporate Dad is a busy guy, so he needs a classy watch to keep him on time. Go for something original that will bring a smile to his face every time he checks the time. The Philip Stein Teslar watch with a black Ostrich strap is elegant and modern at the same time.
Cuff links
The well-heeled dad needs a set of sharp cuff links to hold those French cuffs together. Try Tahitian Pearl Cufflinks (that's right, guys can wear pearls too) from PurePearls.
Watch & Cufflink organizer
Okay, so corporate dad is a high-roller kind of guy but he may need a little help keeping all those pieces organized (watch, cuff links, etc.), so give him a watch & cuff link box-just be sure not to call it a jewelry box, he might get a little touchy.
Luxury Briefcase
To complete Corporate Dad's look he needs a briefcase-but not just any briefcase. While he may not admit it, you'll recognize the twinkle in his eye when he opened a package and smells the smooth calf skin leather of his new luxury briefcase, like the one from Pierre Cardin.
On the go Dad
On the go Dad is always going somewhere, so give him the gift of stylish (and comfortable) travel with these ideas.
Travel bags
If your dad or significant other is always on the go, he doesn't need a gigantic suitcase but he also doesn't want to wind up with wrinkled suits. A fold-up garment bag from Glaser Designs is the perfect solution to short trips.
And no businessman will travel anywhere without his laptop in tow. A designer laptop bag protects Dad's laptop and data in style.
Travel Neckpillow
Traveling can take a toll on the neck and shoulders. Dad will appreciate this simple, yet invaluable, travel neckpillow from Magellans.
Audiobooks
Whether the dad in your life flies a lot or drives cross-country, he'll love this collection of heart-warming stories about fatherhood. The NPR Driveway Moments for Dads is a collection of humorous and touching stories from the National Public Radio archives that capture the essence of fatherhood. They're so good, he may never even leave the driveway!
Enthusiast Dad
Season tickets
Whatever your dad's favorite sporting event-or maybe it's the opera!-season's tickets is the gift that keeps on giving.
Golf clubs
Seasoned golfer or novice, all golfers know The Big Bertha. Get him what he's always wanted but never bought for himself. He's a good dad, he deserves it!
Connoisseur Dad
Wine cork set
Take the headache out of opening wine with a gourmet wine cork set. You can find them virtually anywhere, including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Cost Plus World Market, liquor stores, department stores and online.
Wine Accessories
Stumped for a gift idea? Give Dad a gift basket filled with wine accessories like wine stoppers, wine totes, wine labels and a wine journal. For a truly one-of-a-kind gift, there's the Wine Enhancer, which uses a special technology to make wine smoother and brighter, and improve the drinkability of young wines.
Gourmet Coffee
Lots of guys gotta have their morning cup of Joe. Go beyond the Folgers or Starbucks and get him gourmet coffee beyond his wildest dreams. Coined as the "most expensive coffee in the world" at 8.00, Arabica Kopi Luwak ground coffee is one of the most sought after by coffee connoisseurs globally. This rare coffee is harvested and roasted in the Indonesian Archipelago. Extremely limited, only 700 pounds are produced annually.
Tea maker
Okay, so tea is not usually the first gift idea to come to mind for a lot of dads, but hear me out. The hassle of tea balls and infusers is too much for many guys. Adagio has a solution: the triniTEA, an electric tea maker that simplifies preparation of loose tea. This all-in-one device prepares tea with a flip of a switch. A warming plate beneath the carafe keeps tea hot so it may be enjoyed for hours. They also stock fragrant loose teas and gourmet teabags.
Smoking Jacket (aka Robe)
Give Dad a luxury robe to wear while he sips his favorite beverage, like the Brioni cashmere herringbone robe. Looking for one less expensive? Try a silk robe from Dillards. And what's a robe without slippers?
Gear Daddy
Wireless Weather Forecaster
Dads dislike getting caught in unforeseen weather like the rest of us. They also like to know when the weather is going to be nice so they can fit in a round of golf. Get him the wireless weather station from Brookstone to keep Dad up to date with real-time reports received via radio signals from AccuWeather. No wiring, computer, or TV required!
Portable entertainment
The Sony Play Station Portable (PSP ) is the ultimate portable entertainment device. For tech loving Dad's the PSP can be customized to any personality. The PSP is the perfect mobile entertainment device for gaming, listening to MP3s, watching movies and sporting events, checking RSS feeds, surfing the Net and much more. A recent partnership with T-mobile enables PSP users to take advantage of six months free WiFi at any T-Mobile hotspot found in airports and Starbuck's coffee locations.
Gifts all dads will love
Personalized gifts
Dads love to show off their family, so why not give him something to remind him of what a great family he has with a personalized gift? These days you can get almost anything personalized, from mouse pads to pens and notepads to picture frames and mugs. Vista Print has everything you need for the perfect Holiday gift.
Dad's Own Cookbook
In addition to divorced fathers, there are 15 million dads in families where both parents work and Dad is expected to take his turn making dinner. Never has there been a time when kitchen skills have been so desirable but also so necessary for fathers. So what's a culinary-challenged Dad to do?
Dad's Own Cookbook (Workman, .95) is the one-stop culinary school for the bewildered. It is for every single dad facing new responsibilities in the kitchen, or married dad who has to step up to the plate...and serve it. Filled to the brim with 150 easy and delicious recipes, the book dispenses indispensable tips and techniques, from the basic, such as preheating an oven, to the elaborate, such as creating the perfect birthday party menu for a child.
Digital Photo Frame
For the modern dad, a digital photo frame is the perfect gift. The Pandigital 7" Digital Photo Frame allows Dad to copy your photos, videos and MP3s directly from your memory card, digital camera or PC. Frame easily stores up to 298 two megapixel photos and has two interchangeable frames.
ManGroomer
Giving this gift may be a delicate matter but believe us when we say Dad will thank you (even if it's silent). The grooming of back hair is not only sensitive for men, it's also hard to do! The MANGROOMER is the essential do-it-yourself electric back hair shaver for men. The unique design enables a man to remove unwanted back hair by himself in the privacy of his own home or while traveling. It's quick, easy and painless.
Shave kit
Every man needs a shave kit. Do it up in style with a calfskin shave kit from Cole Haan. If Dad is a friend of the environment, he'll like this Shaving Soap Gift Set from the Napa Soap Company. The long-lasting shaving soap is packed with French clay, aloe vera and soothing oils for a smooth shave. Comes in a reusable, environmentally-friendly antiqued mug with a badger bristle brush. Available in three fresh blends: Lavender Cedar, Cool Mint Rosemary, or Ocean.
What is your perfect Holiday gift for Dad?
Gifts for Dad
A. Covington is a fashion writer with a sharp eye for men's fashion. Her men's fashion Blog covers the essentials on how to dress well, from silk ties and pocket squares, to men's casual clothes, to work attire for men. Her work has appeared in numerous regional magazines and ezines, including San Diego Magazine, San Francisco Downtown Magazine, Ranch & Coast Magazine and JustLuxe.com.