TODD NUTTMAN: How to thank your Dear Old Dad

As Father’s Day approaches, I’ve been giving some thought on what to get Dads out there. My own Dad passed away years ago, but I am a father, and since I still remember what it is like to give my dad a gift, here are a few ideas about what to get, or what not to get, Dad this weekend.

Stay away from those “Father’s Day” gifts.

You know the kind I am talking about. The executive tie sorter. Mini desktop putting sets. Or mugs and T-shirts that say “World’s Greatest Dad” on them. Try and put some thought into it. You know what Dads really want for Father’s day? Silence. If that is not an option, try a gift certificate to his favorite store. I don’t know why people turn up their nose at gift certificates; I would much rather go buy myself what I really want at a store than you try and guess, just so I have to take it back to get what I really wanted in the first place.

I play golf and you can’t guess the amount of times I had to return golf balls just to get the ones I really wanted.

Why not take Dad out for a steak dinner? No one appreciates a good meal more than dad, and if you can’t take him out, cook his favorite meal at home. In my house nothing spells loving like fried chicken with biscuits and gravy. Or make him his favorite desert for no particular reason. Diet and blood sugar be d—ed, doesn’t dad deserve a chocolate cake?

Also, how about washing Dad’s car for him? Wash it off, vacuum it out, and leave the contents of his glove box alone. No need to invade a man’s privacy to be a neat freak; just do a good job and do it like he would. Also, stay away from organizing his tool bench or cleaning his model-car collection, unless you have a death wish.

Finally, tell dad, without contributing to Hallmark’s bottom line, how much you love him and then thank him for all he does.

Thank him for knocking out that rent, paying the light bill and putting two kinds of cereal in the cupboard. Tell him all the things you appreciate about him, because there will come a day when you can’t, and you will wish that you had one more Father’s Day to do it.

Todd Nuttman is a Kent resident and columnist for the Kent Reporter. Send your remarks to Todd by e-mailing Editor Laura Pierce at lpierce@kentreporter.com.