Right? As a father myself, I know we can be tough to shop for. Gone are the days where a necktie would do the trick. With the advent of better and better technology — and more affordable technology at that — fathers of the 21st century have more toys that they’d like to have in their toybox than ever before. But we’re not all about play. We’ve got work to do as well. But if we can have fun using the tools that we have in our toolbelt, then isn’t that the best option? In the unlikely case that you’ve yet to pick something up for him, I’ve put together a list of 5 great last minute Father’s Day gift ideas that will suit foodie fathers, geek dads and for those who simply enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning. Let’s get started…
1. LiveScribe Pen
The LiveScribe has been around for some time, but it is still an extremely popular device for people who like to use paper for notetaking and yet still arm themselves with some tech as they do so. Some consider it to be too bulky, but the folks at LiveScribe have improved the design over the years, and the technology the pen employs is simply amazing.
For those who have fathers who are trying to bridge the gap between analog and digital, the wide range of LiveScribe pens are a perfect gift.
2. Jawbone JAMBOX
I recently picked up one of these and absolutely love it. I’ve been looking for a portable speaker that sounds great and I can use while I’m cooking in the kitchen and listening to podcasts while I prep meals for the family. The JAMBOX by Jawbone fits the bill – and pairs up with smartphones, laptops, tablets and more.
You can also use it as a wired speaker, and it sounds amazing for such a small unit. A great buy for the fathers who like to take their music wherever they go.
3. AeroPress
If you’re on a bit of a limited budget and your dear old Dad is a coffee lover, then the AeroPress is an ideal choice. It makes an absolutely perfect cup of strong coffee, and won’t break your bank in the process.
It’s been widely praised by coffee-loving bloggers across the web, and for good reason: it makes a great cup of coffee. It’d be the perfect way to wake up your father on Father’s Day – with a fresh cup of coffee from his brand new AeroPress!
4. Cosmonaut Stylus
If your father has an iPad and has been yearning for a stylus, then the Cosmonaut is a great choice. I’ve been using it for some time on my 1st generation iPad, and it works like a charm. My kids even get a kick out of using it on the Paper app, and I’ve used for signing off on PDFs and note taking.
Made by the team at Studio Neat, it is an inexpensive add-on for the iPad, and a great gift idea for fathers – both of the geeky and non-geeky sort.
5. Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator
As a stay-at-home parent, making sure I can offer my kids some healthy snacks is important. The Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator is a dream to use, allowing me to dehydrate mangoes, pears, apples, tomatoes and pineapples all in one go. It comes with a great instruction book that offers up recipes and drying times for fruits, vegetables, meats and more.
I haven’t had the chance to make any jerky yet, but it does a stellar job with fruits, veggies and herbs. Just turn it on and go. As a busy parent (who also happens to write, edit and more), automation is key. Automation that promotes healthy eating habits – even better. If your father spends plenty of time in the kitchen (and also likes drying up foods for camping excursions), then the Excalibur 5-Tray Dehydrator is a great addition to his appliance arsenal. (Editor’s note: I did receive the Excalibur Dehydrator in order to review it.) And for good measure, here’s a bonus idea…
6. Any of Our Lifehack Deals
Lifehack offers a variety of deals at our Lifehack Deals page…so if your father is into software anc tech gear, then check out what we have to offer right now. You might just find the perfect gift for him! Still stuck for ideas? Well, there’s a service called MyRegistry.com that you can sign up for and use for situations like this – it’s not just limited to Father’s Day. And this service has just announced a new enhancement to the site for Pinterest users. Essentially, users now have the opportunity to create seamless integration between a MyRegistry.com account and his or her Pinterest boards. This new feature on MyRegistry.com enables Pinterest virtual pin boards to evolve into real and “shippable” gift registries.
Considering the popularity and visual appeal of Pinterest, this can keep you from getting stuck for gift ideas going forward. So…what are you getting your father for Father’s Day? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below.
