Gift giving can be a little exhausting with so many people to shop for this month. To eliminate some of the guess work, we've gathered a handful of ideas that are just as good at saying “Happy Father's Day” as they are at conveying “Congratulations, grad!” Maybe you should snag one for yourself while you're at it.
1. Five-minute fix.
Okay, so maybe he hasn't mastered the art of lamb chops with mint jelly just yet. But this breakfast sandwich maker is dorm-and dad-friendly, whipping up a fresh, homemade meal in just five minutes. Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker, $24.99, Reading China & Glass, 739 Reading Avenue, West Reading, 610.378.0413. kitchenandcompany.com
2. Hey, Mr. DJ.
Crank up the jams while firing up the barbeque — just grab this palm-sized, portable speaker and go. Built-in Bluetooth connects wirelessly to smartphones or tablets to deliver rich, natural sound wherever life takes you. Bose SoundLink Mini Speaker, $199, Target, various locations in Berks. target.com
3. Eat it up.
The first taste of freedom doesn't have to be ramen-flavored. With 100 deceptively simple, easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes, anyone can master the art of cooking, even my microwaveable-soup-loving father. The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified! by Jessica Seinfeld, $16.46, Barnes and Noble, 2751 Paper Mill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.236.0100. barnesandnoble.com
4. Pace yourself.
Make every meeting, mad dash and study session sprint count with a GPS watch to track distance, pace and calories burned. Garmin technology is 10 times more accurate than other similar devices, with the option to upload your workouts to track progress. Who needs a gym buddy when you can race yourself? Garmin Forerunner 10, available in six colors, $130, A Running Start, 705 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 610.320.9097. arunningstart.biz
5. In the bag.
Send her off to college in style with a bold and bright printed backpack, or opt for a sleek and professional attaché for all-grown-up grads headed into the workforce. Either of the chic options are sure to be coveted, but spring for something a little more manly for dear ol' dad. Vera Bradley laptop backpack in Shower Power, $109, or black laptop attaché, $98, Coventry Corners, Berkshire Mall, 1665 State Hill Rd., Reading, 610.376.0445. coventrycorners.com
Gift giving can be a little exhausting with so many people to shop for this month. To eliminate some of the guess work, we've gathered a handful of ideas that are just as good at saying “Happy Father's Day” as they are at conveying “Congratulations, grad!” Maybe you should snag one for yourself while you're at it.
1. Five-minute fix.
Okay, so maybe he hasn't mastered the art of lamb chops with mint jelly just yet. But this breakfast sandwich maker is dorm-and dad-friendly, whipping up a fresh, homemade meal in just five minutes. Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker, $24.99, Reading China & Glass, 739 Reading Avenue, West Reading, 610.378.0413. kitchenandcompany.com
2. Hey, Mr. DJ.
Crank up the jams while firing up the barbeque — just grab this palm-sized, portable speaker and go. Built-in Bluetooth connects wirelessly to smartphones or tablets to deliver rich, natural sound wherever life takes you. Bose SoundLink Mini Speaker, $199, Target, various locations in Berks. target.com
3. Eat it up.
The first taste of freedom doesn't have to be ramen-flavored. With 100 deceptively simple, easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes, anyone can master the art of cooking, even my microwaveable-soup-loving father. The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified! by Jessica Seinfeld, $16.46, Barnes and Noble, 2751 Paper Mill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.236.0100. barnesandnoble.com
4. Pace yourself.
Make every meeting, mad dash and study session sprint count with a GPS watch to track distance, pace and calories burned. Garmin technology is 10 times more accurate than other similar devices, with the option to upload your workouts to track progress. Who needs a gym buddy when you can race yourself? Garmin Forerunner 10, available in six colors, $130, A Running Start, 705 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 610.320.9097. arunningstart.biz
5. In the bag.
Send her off to college in style with a bold and bright printed backpack, or opt for a sleek and professional attaché for all-grown-up grads headed into the workforce. Either of the chic options are sure to be coveted, but spring for something a little more manly for dear ol' dad. Vera Bradley laptop backpack in Shower Power, $109, or black laptop attaché, $98, Coventry Corners, Berkshire Mall, 1665 State Hill Rd., Reading, 610.376.0445. coventrycorners.com
