Birthday Presents for Dad - 5 Great Ideas

Finding birthday presents for dad can be both a lot of fun and a bit of a challenge.  After all, what do you get for the guy who does it all?  Dads come in all shapes, sizes, tastes, hobbies, and skills.  The common denominator is that you want to find a special gift that he will use, will give him a smile and will make his day.  What kind of guy is your dad?  Is he a gadget geek who has his world wired to his fingertips?  Or the family grill master always working to perfect those ribs or trying new recipes?  Is he a  backpacker always looking for lighter and better?  Or is he starting a new hobby or maybe just wants to get in shape.  Birthdays are always a reminder of another year passing and often its a motivation to try something new.  Whether you can spend a lot of money on dear old dad or are on a tight budget, I'm sure you'll be able to find an idea for the perfect gift that will make both of you smile.  Fitness Gear.  Is your dad a gym rat or does he complain about never getting enough time to get to the gym and work out?  Or he might want to work at getting himself back in shape after an injury or illness or just wanting to lose some weight and feel stronger.  There are the big ticket items such as a treadmill or elliptical bike that could be a gift from a whole family that he might like.  Maybe something simple to get him motivated such as a new workout DVD program.   Camping Gear.  If your dad likes to camp, there's always something he needs or wants for his next trip!  If he's a backpacker a lightweight sleeping mat would be a treat or a headlamp.  An emergency firestarter is always handy and is an inexpensive and thoughtful gift.  For the Grill Master.   Is your dad a gas man or a briquet purist?  Does he like to smoke his creations or put them on the rotisserie?  A rotisserie is a great addition to anyone's grilling accessories if he doesn't have one already.  If he's the kind of guy who likes to try new things maybe a cookbook just for grilling.  Gadgets and Pocket Tools.  Used to be no man felt dressed without a penknife in his pocket, is your dad one of those?  A new Leatherman tool may not be as small as a penknife but some of them are pretty small and awfully handy almost as handy as the classic and ever-useful Swiss Army Knife.  Wired In.  I guess you'd really have to say wireless, not wired in these days.  If your dad likes to keep himself connected all the time through his smart phone or notepad he would probably appreciate and extra battery or charger cord, maybe one for the car if he doesn't have one already.  Bluetooth headsets have become so reasonably priced and easy to use that they really are essential for someone who spends much time on the phone.  The clarity on a good one is so much better than a cell phone speaker.  Dad would really enjoy one of the new light-weight ones that are available today.