5 Gifts to Get Your Girlfriend’s Dad for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is right around the corner — June 17 to be exact. Guys, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll start thinking about what to get your girlfriend’s dad to celebrate the occasion. After all, he is the reason you have such an amazing and all around fabulous woman in your life.

Remember, if it wasn’t for his influence, she wouldn’t be the woman she is today. Doing something special to express gratitude to your girlfriend’s father for being such a positive role model will go a long way. Not only will her dad see you in a whole new light, you’ll win mega bonus points from your gal for being so thoughtful and demonstrating that you have the kind of class she’s looking for in a man.

Don’t worry. Taking care of dad doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of gift items to consider that cost less than $100, and unless you’re looking to ask him for his daughter’s hand in marriage anytime soon, you shouldn’t go over the top anyway. Even if you have the cash to do something that will bring about the wow factor — like getting him a new set of golf clubs or a trip to Vegas — you should keep your Father’s Day gift simple and inexpensive.

You don’t want her dad to think you are trying to buy his approval. You just want him to understand that you plan on sticking around for a while, that you care for his daughter and you think he’s a great guy.

Before you buy anything for her dad, keep in mind you might need to do some research. Depending on how well you know the guy, you may have to ask your girlfriend for some pointers. Does he like to cook? Does he love scuba diving? Is he into model airplanes? She should be able to point you in the right direction if you don’t know much about him and feel confused about what to get for him.

Here are five great Father’s Day ideas that won’t set you back a stack of Benjamins:

What better way to spend an afternoon than with your girlfriend’s dad having some quality tee time? When it comes to older gentlemen, most of them have an appreciation for the game of golf and enjoy the activity. Buy a gift certificate and allow him to pick the date and time. Tell him you’ll pick him up and take him home. This will give the two of you a great opportunity to take part in some male bonding and get to know each other better.

Many men have an acquired taste for white, red or vintage wines, and some even have a custom wine cellar built into their home. Be sure he actually drinks before you buy this gift, though. It would be a tragic mistake if you show up with a bottle of Pinot Grigio and the guy’s a recovering alcoholic.

Again, be sure he enjoys smoking a good stogie before you make this purchase. Many men who don’t smoke cigarettes do enjoy a cigar every now and then, and this is a very appropriate gift for one guy to give to another. If the occasion presents itself, ask him to go outside so the two of you can talk while you puff away. This is a great opportunity to get him alone and converse with him on a deeper level.

• Is he a huge Dallas Cowboys fan?
• Did he graduate from the University of Arizona?
• Was he in the Marine Corps?

Choosing something that represents one of his specific interests is a great idea. A sweatshirt, a baseball cap or a Zippo lighter are all perfect examples of the kind of items you should be looking for.

Whether it’s Scrabble, dominoes, chess or checkers, if the man likes to play strategic games, he’ll really appreciate this gesture. Of course, the game must come with a challenge. Tell him you’d like to play him at a later date and follow up with a phone call to schedule.

Keep in mind that whatever gift you choose for your girlfriend’s dad should be oriented to the things he enjoys, not your interests and activities. Be sure to find a way to work your expression of thanks into your presentation of whatever you select for him. “I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am to be with your daughter. You did a fine job raising her. She is a wonderful woman.” This is key so don’t leave this crucial piece out of the puzzle. Also, if you have been invited to take part in Father’s Day festivities, be sure to bring a bouquet of flowers for the lady of the house.