Make dad dapper this Father’s Day

We’ve got a gift for every daddy.

KARACHI:

Shopping for my dad is as easy as learning Cantonese in a day. Regardless of how much I try, and believe me I’ve tried hard enough, whatever I get is too bright, too dull, too small, too big, too pricey, too young or too old for him. I keep telling him that if he were a woman, he’d be as high maintenance as Paris Hilton! But, just recently, after returning from a vacation, I finally managed to get something that was perfect fit for him.

I’d like to think all my years of shopping experience have turned me into a sort of shopping guru. So here are just a few tips and ideas to help you pick out the perfect present for the one man in your life who can make everything alright.

For the classic abbu

If your dad is anything like mine, he’s probably content with his worn out wallet and Old Spice aftershave. But it’s about time you gave his ‘basics’ a complete makeover. Invest in a classic yet contemporary cologne or a leather wallet with his name engraved on it. If he’s got a great wallet and is convinced that he naturally smells dandy all day, how about getting him a funky kurta to add a little colour to his casual Friday afternoons?

Leather wallet: Rs1,000-3,000 (from Jafferjees or Hub Leather)

The One, a cologne for men by Dolce&Gabbana: Rs7,000 (100ml) (Available at Scentsation)

Kurta from Khaadi: Rs1,500

For the no-nonsense father

If he thinks Father’s Day is a total waste and a way for large corporations to swindle money out of suckers like you, it’s best not to spend money on a gift. You’ll only get a lecture on the importance of saving instead. But what Mr No-nonsense may actually appreciate would be spending some quality time with you. Make a one-on-one plan for breakfast, and we don’t mean the kitty-party-kind, but an actual desi chai and paratha at a dhaaba kind of nashta, and he’s bound to enjoy this no-frills meal. If you don’t want to kill his Sunday morning by forcing him to wake up early for breakfast, plan a night of crabbing instead. He’s bound to like spending quality time over an expensive present.

Nashta for two: Under Rs500 (any dhaaba, anywhere)

Crabbing plan: Rs3,000 (for seven people) (Kemaari)

For daddy cool

If he plays golf, smokes cigars, goes to the gym and likes spending quiet time in his study, a card and a simple wish will definitely not fly! He would probably love something fancy like a designer pen set or a leather men’s handbag that may come in handy when he travels.

Pen set: Rs700-Rs1,800 (Cross pens)

Leather men’s handbag: Rs 8,000-Rs16,000 (Jafferjees and Hub Leather)

For the smart dad

If he spends his evenings watching documentaries and ingests the entire contents of all three newspapers before your first swig of caffeine, get him something that will give his brain cells a serious workout. Buy a biography for him about an inspiring leader, a Sudoku-playing device or even a Kindle Touch if you’re feeling super generous!

Book recommendation.  It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell: Rs1,600

Amazon Kindle Touch: Rs14,990

For the fun dad

If your dad is growing at the same pace as you, nurture his inner child with the latest video game console. He’ll enjoy whiling away the hours, shooting bad guys and filling up on ammo! But if he already has a console, get him some new games, some new speakers or headphones to enhance his game-playing experience.

Sony PlayStation 3 (320 GB): Rs34,500

Headphones: Rs 9,999 (SteelSeries Spectrum gaming headset)

New speakers: Rs3,650 (Zoltrix)

Published In The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2012.