Five Father's Day gifts from the heart

Jet, June 21, 2004

Father's Day--that special day to express your love for that extra-special man in your family. But when it comes to helping your children honor their father or father figures, don't limit the tokens of affection to socks, neck ties and coffee mugs. Instead, encourage your sons and daughters to tap their creativity to celebrate daddy with the following priceless gifts:

1. Give him great memories.

Fond memories make the finest gifts. Bring those great times spent with dad to life in a scrapbook or framed collage. Include photos and mementos--a ticket stub from that basketball game, a page from a concert program, seashells from that fun trip to the beach. If you're short on souvenirs, have your children draw pictures, use stickers or cut out pages from old magazines and newspapers to illustrate their favorite moments with their father.

2. Find unique ways to say 'I love you."

Have each of your children write a love poem to their father, then post their prose on the bathroom mirror for dad to see first thing on Father's Day. If your kids are too young to write, use finger paint to put their handprints on paper or use lipstick to put their kiss prints on the page, then print "I love you, Daddy" and sign their names. If dad is a music lover, soothe him with sweet sounds by recording your sons and daughters singing love songs or burn a CD of his favorite tunes. Or videotape your children reciting the top 10 reasons their dad is the best dad in the entire world.

3. Tie a little tenderness.

Tired of tossing neck ties at dad every Father's Day? Then help your children turn a cheap tie into a cherished treasure. Find one of pop's old ties or buy an inexpensive new one. Gather a few artsy supplies: fabric paint, fabric glue, needle and thread, funky buttons, bangles or spangles, sparkly beads or gemstones. Use the fabric paint to draw pictures or write words on the tie that describe dear or dad. Let the paint dry, then sew or glue on the embellishments. Give dad the tie to wear for fun, or mount it in a frame to add to the family art collection.

4. Redeem yourself.

Award dad gift certificates redeemable for thoughtful services: bringing him breakfast in bed, pressing his shirts, detailing his car. Personalize the coupons for pop. Copy his photo onto the certificates and embellish them with funny sayings like "In Dad We Trust."

5. Heap on the TLC.

Even strong fathers need tender loving care. Treat your No. 1 guy to a Father's Day feast fit for a king and let the kids help with the grocery shopping, cooking and after-feast cleaning. Pamper him with a scalp and foot massage. Fill the day with his favorite pastimes--fishing, golfing, bowling or watching sports on television without distractions.