Yes another Father's Day Gift Guide! Mrs Mo Style

Chances are you've already gotten dad something for his big day. You might be taking him to brunch, surprising him with season tickets or a concert or getting him that super-powered lawn mower he always wanted. But if you're still looking for last minute ideas, here are some that are available anywhere:

The Ultimate Dad Gift: A Hammock!
Sure, Moms are hard at work all day taking care of the kids, but Dads work all day and then have to work again at night and the weekends with the kids. While Mommy could really use a hammock in the living room, in the backyard and even in the bedroom, let's give Daddy a nice outside hammock (because then the kids will go outside and want to jump in with him and give Mommy some time alone too....oh wait, this is supposed to be all about giving dad a break. Right.) All joking aside-a lot of Daddies do have double-duty with working hard and then coming home to excited and joyful kids to play, he needs some alone time (and usually it's not a salon or shopping):

• Budget: Walmart | Ace Hardware | KMart(water hammock)
  
• High-End: Brookstone | Sears | Smith & Hawken
  

DIY Dad Gifts
Double Picture Frame: one side photo of child/baby/baby with dad facing your choice of a Father Poem. I gave one to Rob for his first Father's Day and it sits on his desk at work.

Custom Gift Basket for Dad: If you have more than 1 child, then it's possible that each will have a different impression of something that Dad would want for Father's Day. Pull all of your resources and ideas together and make one big basket for Dad. Here are some ideas themes:

• Food Basket: Dad's favorite snack foods and/or beer. If Maddy and I were to make a basket for Rob, it would include: Cheeze-Its, Oreos, Beef Jerky, Fiddle Faddle, Cracker Jacks, Pretzels, Dr. Pepper and A&W Root Beer.
  
• Golf Dad: golf balls with your kids' names painted on, tees, towel, new hat and shirt combo
• Grilling Dad: Spices, rubs, marinades, meat thermometer, grilling tools, mini-grill cookbook
• Random Dad Basket: (for more than 1 child families) Have each child come up with something to add to the basket and then you (Mommy) pick something as well.

(For Dad from Mom) Sexy Gift: Lingerie for Mommy-need I say more?

• Sporty
• Retro1 | Retro2
  
• Romantic1 Romantic2
  
• Flirty
• Sweet
  

Get your man/dad/husband to wear [girlie] colors

If the man in your life is like my husband and gets squeamish around so-called girlie colors, there is a way to transition them into being comfortable donning brighter and usually more complimentary threads.

I have been slowly educating my husband on the mother of all girlie colors: pink and purple! He is fine wearing brights in yellow, orange, and green, but was steering clear of the 2 p's. It wasn't enough to tell him that my step-father, who Rob resembles in many ways, has pink and purple dress shirts and still looks manly!

So, if you are in the same position, and you want to try color out on your man without being forceful and aggressive, start with a tie. My first tool for transition was with the Tommy Hilfiger ties. They provide an assortment of colors, including the 2 p's, but are still very masculine. And go ahead and buy a few...if you buy them from Marshalls. You can usually find the Tommy Hilfiger tie for about $9.99 there. And best of all, Rob loved them. And even though, the women in his office KNEW I picked the pink one for him, he still likes to wear it.

In addition to the Tommy ties, I included Jones New York, also available at Marshalls. I bought Rob 2 of the Economist Dot Silk ties-1 in orange and 1 in purple. Orange has actually become one of his faves, but he will wear the purple on occasion. Regardless of when he wears them , the fact is that he is wearing more color and it is only a matter of time before he wears these colors as a shirt...


Speaking of color shirts, I felt I had achieved a small victory when Rob received a Brooks Brothers shirt from his father and wouldn't you know, it was white with MAGENTA checks. MAGENTA! And it was one of the best looking shirts I had seen him in and he liked it too! Way to go Rob's Dad! And ladies, if you want to get your man into color, Brooks Brothers has lots of them!


MORAL OF THE STORY: If you want your man/dad/husband to be more comfortable wearing the girlie colors, start him off with a tie from Marshalls and work your way up to a shirt.

Dad likes to eat too!

Don't forget to treat your dad to a nice meal this weekend. Either cook one yourself or take him to one of the Father's Day offers around the state. Have your pick below:

1. The Grand Summit Hotel Father's Day B-B-Q-Summit
2. Willie's Tavern Brunch-Bedminster
3. The Store Brunch-Basking Ridge
   
4. River Bell Brunch Cruise-Point Pleasant
5. Toscano in Bordentown reminds us to make our reservations for dad....now!
6. Alba Vineyard Wine Tasting and Picnic (BYOB)-Milford
7. Assembly Steakhouse Brunch-Englewood Cliffs
8. Pantagis Renaissance Brunch-Scotch Plains
   
9. Blue Wave Specials-Westfield
10. Harvest Bistro & Bar Brunch-Closter
11. New Orleans Family Restaurant-North Branch
12. Pine Hill Golf Club Brunch-Pine Hill
13. Clover Leaf Tavern Clam Bake & B-B-Q-Caldwell
14. Grounds for Sculpture Brunch-Hamilton
    
15. NYC Dinner Cruise-Skyline Princess
    
16. Philadelphia Breakfast Cruise
17. Camden Riversharks game with B-B-Q & Buffet-Camden
    
18. Philadelphia Area Restaurants
19. New York Restaurants
20. Do Your Own Brunch menu-Family Fun Magazine
    

What to get for dad?

Father's Day is around the corner and 94.5 WPST radio is hosting a contest for its young listeners. The winning father will receive a boat load of prizes. If you are stumped on what to get for your dad this year, take a cue from the morning crew:

A $50 gift certificate to Pennington Golf Center
Pennington Golf Center personalized service at discount store prices.

A $50 gift certificate to Harry’s Adventure Outfitters
Kick off summer fun with terrific savings at Harry’s Adventure Outfitters. New Jersey leader in hunting, fishing and camping. Harry’s on Rt. 130 in Robbinsville. Visit them online at www.harrys.com.

One Month Membership to Champion Fitness
Champion Fitness Center on Rt. 206 in Hamilton. Building better bodies’ everyday. Log onto the www.thewinningworkout.com.

A pair of Phillies tickets
Against the Cincinnati Reds on Wed. June 27th.

A Wenger Swiss Military Alpine Series watch with the date, black dial and leather strap Vecere Jewelers – Your direct diamond importers and gift experts in the Lawrence Shopping Center and online at www.VecereJewelers.com.

Flying Lessons at Raritan Valley Flying School
Need a better gift idea? A flying lesson from Princeton Airport is a gift of adventure, thrills and fun. Visit www.Princetonairport.org for the best Dad’s Day gift yet.

A “Mini” Car Detailing Package at All Class Detailing
All Class Car detailing – there’s no reason to let your car’s value drop – come to their new location on 571 in Princeton Junction – www.AllClassDetailing.com.