Dan's Papers - June 15, 2007 - Father's Day Gifts: From Her

Father's Day is looming again. No matter if you are super-psychically connected to your father, or crushingly clueless regarding his tastes, daughters can have a difficult time finding the right gift for their deserving dads. When it's Mother's Day, it's easy to find your mama a nice gift by buying within the trends you yourself are following, but fathers require a bit of investigation. We've done some of the work for you. Here are some of 2007's best options. First, there are those fathers who are notorious for their obsession with all things technical. If yours is, why not try the Astronaut Pen, available at www.violet.com? This pen is write-anywhere, meaning the ink flow is unstoppable. The pen is famous for its ability to write underwater, although I'm not sure where Pop can pick up waterproof paper. At $27, this gift is a great find and will surely be appreciated by your mechanics and science-loving dad.

CarMD.com has a cool new device for the dad devoted to his automoble. Compatible with all cars made in or after 1996, the handheld tester connects with the car's computer and the CarMD.com database to troubleshoot any problems when that pesky check engine light appears. This is a toy you'll have to see and test to believe, so check out the demo video on the website. For under $100.00, this is a great present for diagnostic and do-it-yourself dads.

If your dad is a history buff, try the The Civil War DVD collection. Originally airing on PBS, this set is highly revered and has won many major tv and film awards. With a running time of 690 minutes, it'll definitely keep your dad busy for the next month. This could be a dual gift of free time for your mom. The list price for this item is $129.99, but you can find it for less on the internet (Amazon.com's current price, for example, is $103.99). Another choice in the historical realm is the critically acclaimed feature film Letters from Iwo Jima, a story of the World War II battle from the Japanese perspective. Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film is sure to please, but be sure that Dad's okay with subtitles.

Another great DVD option for Dad is BBC's Planet Earth. Currently it's being touted as the best nature documentary of all time (the budget on the film was a whopping $25 million). Stunning images, limited personal conjecture, and a great orchestral score make this a perfect choice for the father that appreciates the natural world. List price on this is $79.98, although Amazon.com brings it down to $53.99. If your father's earthly interest lays predominantly in the sea, try the production teams first effort Blue Planet: Seas of Life as a substitute or accompaniment to this feature.

Humminbird.com has the coolest gifts for the father who fishes. At the top of the line is a wireless, remote sensor that connects to his line. The gadget provides immediate information about fish, structure, depth, and water temperature as soon as your dad casts. The base model starts at $59.99 with display, mounting and base add-ons available for only a bit more. Your dad will no doubt be impressed by this device, and so will his buddies on his next fishing adventure.

Have a father who has everything, or who insists on receiving nothing during this holiday? Make dad feel special the old-fashioned way. Prepare your dad's favorite salads and sides to accompany his top-notch grilled fish or burgers. Show up on that fateful Sunday with dad's favorite cookies or cake (homemade or from his favorite bakery). Offer to spend the day with dad doing yardwork, cleaning out the spare room, or washing the car. The gift of his busy daughter's time is something your papa is sure to appreciate.

Still want to drop some cash on him? Send him and your mother away for the weekend, remembering to provide a generous gift certificate for their favorite restaurant, pre-paid access to the nearest golf course or time on a chartered boat to fish. Or, if old dad is up for it, you could always send him away on an adrenline-fueled trip provided by cloud9living.com. Trips range from local, New York salt water fly fishing priced at several hundred dollars to helicopter skiing in Alaska for several thousand. Happy Father's Day!