The Perfect Gift for Dad on Father's Day
Are you still buying Dad the same old Father's Day gifts you bought him twenty years ago? Perhaps you agree with Oscar Wilde: The longer I live the more keenly I feel that whatever was good enough for our fathers is not good enough for us.
Why not surprise him, this year, with a gift that is not only good enough for that special Dad but one that will be just what he really wants? Impossible you say. . . . not at all if you select the gift to suit his personality type.
There are seven personality types within each male. Each personality type has different values therefore their tastes vary accordingly. Identify the personality type of Dad and Grandfather and give a gift to suit - it will not only be more appreciated but you know then your money is not wasted.
Each male has one dominant personality type and activates one or two others at various times. Look for his dominant one - his facade:
Mummy's Boy: He had a strong over-protective mother. He is soft, gentle understanding, compliant and eager to please. Not competitive but can have a successful career if he has either a mentor or a supportive wife to replace his mother. He is attracted to strong, beautiful women. Although he may appear to be strong, eventually she will shoulder all responsibilities. Loves the children, happy to baby-sit, but hardly in a reliable manner. According to H L Mencken, A man's womenfolk, whatever their outward show of respect for his merit and authority, always regard him secretly as an ass, and with something akin to pity.
He will appreciate socks, a tie or underpants - gifts his mother would have bought. A book on his favourite hobby would also be acceptable or something indulgent like chocolates or liqueur or port. He is no good at keeping surprises, if you give it to him early he won't be able to resist opening it; and on Father's Day will have forgotten that he has already opened your present.
Dad's Boy: Influenced by a strong parent he is manly, competitive and ambitious. He is very responsible and controlling even chauvinistic, but within he is often emotionally fragile - needs careful handling. Attracted to beautiful women; he sweeps her off her feet, but afterwards he may take her for granted and have the occasional flirtation. He will expect his sons to be little men from an early age. Bertrand Russell told the New York Times in 1963: `The fundamental defect of fathers is that they want their children to be a credit to them'.
If he is a sports fanatic, anything pertaining to his favourite sport will be a popular gift. Being so manly, he will appreciate a special jar of his favourite hot mustard, a strong cheese like Stilton, a jar of ginger, his favourite red wine or port or, to satisfy the `little boy' within him, perhaps a childish gift like a yoyo that he will play with all day and then forget.
The Baby: He was the baby of the family or a favoured one, thus his high self-image. Youthful and charming, with a cute smile he is adventurous and fun. Has strong principles and cannot tolerate his faults in others. Gadget mad even his motor car is a toy. Daring and innovative in business he surpasses his brothers. With women he is protective and charms them with enthusiasm and generosity. Although he spoils his wife and children, he is demanding and expects to be the centre of attention. Erma Bombeck's remarks suit this father: `I've seen kids ride bicycles, run, play ball, set up camp, swing, fight a war, swim and race for eight hours . . . yet have to be driven to the garbage can.
The Baby of the family will just love the latest gimmicky gadget; he will assemble it and have it working immediately. It would be a great hit on Father's Day, especially if it means he can spend the day showing it to all and sundry. If you give him a practical gift like socks or underpants he will probably forget to thank you in his hurry to shows you the gadget someone else gave him; or the adult toy he has just indulged in.
The Brother: Not dominated by parents he is direct, open and honest. Fights for principles. His motivation is altruistic rather than self-directed. Treats all people as equal, never sexist, develops a friendship with women first. Prefers those with strong principles; never coquettish or game-playing. He believes all responsibility in a relationship must be shared, yet he is loyal, supportive and protective. All children enjoy growing up with this great father. He enjoys teaching and will take an interest in everything they do. `A man finds out what is meant by a spitting image when he tries to feed cereal to his infant', Imogene Fey.
He is usually a handyman and would appreciate any small item that he could add to his work shop or, being a great father, a game that he can enjoy with his sons. Something that the whole family can enjoy will also be acceptable. One Brother I know asked his brother, `Did you get anything decent for Christmas besides socks and underpants?' If the gift is not to his liking, he is just as likely to ask you do you mind if he exchanges it.
The Bachelor: A loner, rarely influenced by his peer group, set in his ways, exact, opinionated and introverted, he enjoys his own company. Is reliable, loyal and steady. He comes before his career; is not ambitious, but conscientious. Can live without them but is attracted to vivacious women for the excitement they add to a relationship. But she must be self-sufficient, undemanding and tolerate his stubbornness. A warm, loving, dutiful father - provided his children do not intrude on his solitude. American writer, Marcelene Cox described his feelings aptly: Parenthood; that state of being better chaperoned than you were before marriage.
Being rather self indulgent he is inclined to over-indulge himself on whatever he enjoys most; whether it is reading, music, sport, hobbies or eating or drinking, Discover his favourite pastime and give a gift in which he can indulge. Homemade biscuits or sweets would be very popular with this man who has everything. If he doesn't like the gift you give him he will explain why.
The Playboy: His father may be a playboy; or his mother made him aware of his sex appeal. Forever youthful and enthusiastic, his magnetism appeals to women of all ages. A skilled communicator he may be a successful barrister, statesman or salesman. Although many Playboys can't maintain a relationship, he always has time for women even at work. All are a challenge, he enjoys the chase. His sons will probably grow up to be playboys too. A fun-loving father, but when his daughters reach puberty, he treats their friends with undue suspicion.
It was probably the Playboy that Keith Waterhouse wrote of in, The Passing of the Third-floor Buck. Whether family life is physically harmful is still in dispute. The incidence of men who go down with a coronary upon learning that their teenage daughters are in the pudding club is indisputably higher among family men than among those who have never indulged; so is indigestion, backache, alcoholism, and going purple in the face when the bath is full of tights and knickers.
Because aesthetics are so important to him, any gift that boosts his ego will be most acceptable. A very elegant brass handled razor, expensive after-shave, a glamorous item of clothing or an elegant cocktail shaker will delight him. Whatever you give him, he will thank you effusively and, if it is not to his liking, he will banish it to his bottom drawer.
The Workaholic: A wonderful provider, but often late or absent due to work. Forever proving himself, he has an in-built, obsessive single-minded vision of success. His career comes first. Before he achieves current objectives he is planning the next. Attracted to the woman who will take care of him. Should she be equally ambitious for him, the marriage will prosper. He throws as much passion and enthusiasm into his concern for the children (when he sees them), although they often feel neglected. He most probably read Oscar Wilde's, An Ideal Husband: - Fathers should neither be seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.
The Workaholic is such a busy man that he probably won't have time to appreciate or benefit from your gift unless it is work related. A desk set, a diary or a new brief case, provided they are in keeping with his status, will at least be used. Just remind him, every now and again, that you gave it to him.
Whatever you buy him (and even if you don't give him a thing), be sure to tell him, no matter what his personality type, three important words - `I love you'. If you do not, rest assured you will have plenty of time to regret your omission.