A Father’s Day Gift for Every Type of Dad

Every year, right around Father’s Day I always scramble around trying to find a unique, personalized, yet cheap gift idea to give to my pops. I window shop, Google, ask friends – everything! Yet year after year I come across the same old lame gift suggestions. I’d name a few, but I’m afraid some of you reading this may have already succumbed to these terrible, banal ideas… and I wouldn’t want to offend. Nevertheless, I am here to help!

Unlike the rest of the world, apparently, we here at CollegeCandy realize there are many more types of dads than just the golf-loving dad or techie dad that are often the only ones represented in the usual generic gift guides. And how do we know that? Because we see them on TV every week. If you’re looking for the best gift money can buy for the best dad out there…but have no idea what to get him because you spend more time with TV dads than you do with him, perhaps our handy little guide can help you.

Just pick the TV dad most like your real life dad and – bing, bang, boom – you’ve got yourself the perfect Father’s Day gift.

If your dad is:

A total geek, like Modern Family‘s Phil Dunphy:

-Victorinox SwissMemory 128 MB USB Storage Device
Although this thing looks like your typical Swiss army knife blade it also functions as a USB. So your dad can remain his geeky self while looking just a bit cooler. And he can cut things.

-PacSafe’s Stashsafe Hip Pack
This anti-theft hip pack (AKA fanny pack that dads love so much) has a slash-proof and lockable belt as well as lockable zippers to protect against everyday pickpockets. Make sure to include instructions in the card to swing the pack around back to take down the geeky factor.

A typical, hard-working, normal dad (with a taste for ugly sweaters), like The Cosby Show‘s Cliff Huxtable:

-Flo TV Personal Television
Just when you thought your dad couldn’t watch any more TV, this hand-held device allows him to watch live sports, breaking news and more virtually anywhere. Including his mother-in-law’s. Or your graduation.

-SkipDR Motorized Automax Disc Repair System
Now you can bring your dad’s favorite beat-up DVDs (The Chris Rock HBO special, anyone?) and CDs (how he must miss that Doobie Brothers boxset) back to life through this motorized repair process that smoothes discs’ surface scratches.

A big grump who needs some cheering up, like Married With Children‘s Al Bundy:

-Comedy club tickets
Laughstub.com has a wide variety of comedy acts in a wide variety of locations that’s sure to finally get a laugh out of him.

-HoMedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion
I learned early on in life that a massage is often a key to someone’s well, at least, temporary happiness. You can place this heated cushion, with its state-of-the-art moving massage mechanism, right over a chair or couch and also fold it up for easy storage and portability. That will make him smile. And give you a $20 next time you head out for the night…

Married to another dad… or totally obsessed with you, your future and your success, like Rachel Berry’s dads on Glee:

-Ole Henriksen Men’s Kit
This men’s line is said to be a celebrity favorite and tailored to the modern man’s skin care needs. And what dad doesn’t want soft, glowing skin?

-Digital photo frame
If your pops loves you as much as Rachel’s love her, he’s constantly thinking about you and your accomplishments. And you know you’ve got a ton – and more every day – so help him show you off with a digital photo frame. You can load it with pictures from your greatest moments – and add more as they happen – for him to show off to anyone who’s willing to listen.

All about relaxing with a cold one, a la The Simpsons’ Homer Simpson:

-Credit Card bottle opener
This bottle opener easily fits into any wallet so your dad can keep it with him everywhere he goes.

-Design a custom koozie
This site allows you to choose from a slip on, foam, or collapsible koozie, modify the color and even add a custom text or graphic. You could even slap a pic of Homer on there!

Athletic and always getting physical, like Friday Night Light’s Eric Taylor:

-Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board
This product makes it easier for users to maintain a daily workout routine by allowing them to exercise from home. Special features include being able to input the amount of time you want to spend working out or select an area for personal improvement (like that beer belly he’s been working on for 20+ years….).

-Adidas miCoach Pacer
This pacer helps him stay within four heart rate zones to create varied, personalized workouts so your dad get the most out of each run.

A fun loving kid at heart, like Desperate Housewives‘ Tom Scavo:

-Tickets to an amusement park
Give your pops a day off from being an adult and treat him for a special day for 2 at your local amusement park. Whether it’s Six Flags, Cedar Point, Knotts Berry Farm or Universal Studios, he’ll love getting a day to act like a kid…with his favorite kid.
-Gag gift box
On the outside, this gift box displays a ridiculous fake product that’s meant to baffle its recipient and give them a good laugh (once they figure it out).

The glue that keeps the family together, like Arrested Development‘s Michael Bluth:

-Tickets to a show for the whole family
Choose from fairs, festivals and more at Ticketmaster.com. He’ll love having everyone together.

- A professional family photo
So you won’t be able to get the actual picture in time, but you could get everyone together to chip in for a professional photographer to snap you all for one, gorgeous print. Then your dad can hang that wherever he pleases and take pride in the family he’s worked so hard for.

A technology junkie, like The Jetsons’ George Jetson:

-Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote with Color Touch Screen
You can finally get rid of all those remotes sitting on his coffee table (that always confuse your mom) by simplifying the control of all his home entertainment devices into this one simple, futuristic looking rechargeable remote. Plus, it will make your pops feel super cool when he can show it off to his friends.
Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station
This device allows easy file sharing, data backup and print serving. What’s best of all is you can securely connect to everything stored on the hard drives that you decide to hook up to this from anywhere in the world!

An adventurer who’s always on the move (and may or may not be a super secret agent), like 24‘s Jack Bauer:

-CamelBak Hands-free Hydration Systems
There are 40 different models of this hydration system to choose from that allow athletes to remain active while simultaneously being able to easily drink water.

-Waterproof gadget cases
Whether he’s scuba diving, kayaking, mountain biking, or snowboarding, these cases protect against water, sand, snow, and dirt.

A former-musician-turned-lovable-house-husband, like Gossip Girl‘s Rufus Humphrey:

-Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
With these, your dad can finally enjoy the clear, lifelike sound of his music and movies without all the noisy distractions around the house.

-Cuisinart Griddler Panini and Sandwich Press
This nearly $45 mini-grill accommodates any size sandwich and comes with helpful “power-on” and “ready-to-cook” indicator lights, instructions, recipes, and a drip spout that makes it easy to drain grease away from food to provide healthier, simpler cooking.

Has multiple wives, like Big Love‘s Bill Henrickson:

Don’t worry about a gift, girl. One of your many half-siblings will take care of it.