Parsippany Dad's Picks: Top 10 Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is this Sunday.

Let’s face it: Husbands, dads and grandfathers can be very hard to shop for. The garage is filled with tools, the closet has shirts that haven’t been worn and last year’s car wash gift certificate is unused and nearing its expiration date.  

With school just ending and summer plans well on the way, as much as we all love the dads in our lives, sometimes these holidays just creep up on us.  If you’re still scrambling for something to give him, check this out.  I polled the resident dad in our house, and here are his top 10 picks for Father’s Day.  

1.  Weed Wacker:  If you’re husband’s like mine and he’s out there cursing up a storm with the string trimmer falling off all the time, it’s time to upgrade.  

Good:  Black & Decker 12 in. 18-Volt Cordless String Trimmer.  It requires no gas and no oil, runs on a rechargeable battery that promises to trim up to a half-acre home on just one charge.  $99/Home Depot Parsippany/No sale end date stated.

Great: If he’d like to use the word fierce to describe his power tools, you can get more power with the Black & Decker 24-Volt Cordless String Trimmer.  This model offers “PowerCommand,” which allows him to shift into “Boost” mode. $139/Home Depot Parsippany/No sale end date stated.

2.  Dress Shirts:  Every guy seems to have his own personal rules about dress shirts - color, fit, etc. That’s why Kohl’s is the ticket.  The entire stock of Croft & Barrow broadcloth dress shirts is on sale, which should make for a good selection.  Priced at just $17.99 through June 19.   On June 14, (last day of the previous sale), you can snag them for just $15.99, plus get an extra 30 percent, 20 percent or 15 percent off if you use your Kohl’s charge (peel the sticker on your mailer to discover your discount). $17.99 (or less)/Kohl's Morris Plains/Valid through 6/19.

3.  Sleep:  My husband requested it, but with an infant and a toddler sleep time is something that money simply can’t buy.  If you can’t give him sleep,consider a sleepover. A former co-worker used to love to take his family for a weekend at the Parsippany Sheraton. They enjoyed the large indoor heated pool and jacuzzi, as well as the outdoor lap pool with sun deck. For $159.85 you can have a room with two queen beds, a 37-inch flat screen television and Bliss bath products.   Sheraton Parsippany/$159.85/Pricing subject to change.

4.  The Bronx Zoo:  My husband is dying to take my kids to the Bronx Zoo. After all, it is the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S.  If you’re interested in exploring beyond West Orange's Turtleback Zoo, make the trip to the Bronx. You can get an additional 10 percent off by purchasing admission tickets online: $26.95 for adults, $17.95 for children (3-12) and $22.45 for seniors. Bronx Zoo/priced from $17.95/No stated expiration.

5.  The latest iPad 2: Daddy needs an iPad2! It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor and has a camera on both sides, which allows you to face the webcam and record digital media with the outer-facing camera.  Prices start at $499 for the 16 GB.  Apple Store at Willowbrook Mall/from $499/No stated expiration.

6.  Sneakers:  All active dads need a good pair. Sears is having a sale on all men’s athletic sneakers starting at just $29.99 including Reebok, Fila and Skechers.  Sears Willowbrook Mall/prices vary/Valid through 6/19.

7.  Yankees Tickets:  On Saturday, June 25, the Yankees take on the Colorado Rockies.  The current promotion is a free lunch box for the first 25,000 fans to show up.  The cheapest seats available directly through the Yankees cost $53.80 each, with most in sections 331 and 332A.  Tickets can be purchased here. Yankees.com/from $53.80/Until sold out.

8.  The Adjustment Bureau on Blu-Ray:  Coming to DVD on June 21.  You can pre-order a copy of the Blu-Ray version for $22.96 from Walmart.com and have it shipped to your home.  It’s an action movie, which will make him happy and you get to watch Matt Damon. Walmart.com/$22.96/No stated expiration.

9.  Ceiling fan:  My husband is always hot and I am so tired of the cat knocking the box fan over that I gave in to a ceiling fan in the bedroom.  It’s not necessarily going to land us on HGTV, but I think it’s got a clean, modern look to it.  Here's a model from Lowe’s online with free in-store pickup.  The Harbor Breeze  44-inch Mayfield Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan is just $59.94, which include    s a $10 markdown.  Lowe’s Butler/$59.94/Valid through 6/29.

10.  Ride-on Lawn Mower: I don’t know a guy with a walk-behind mower who would turn this down.  Sears has the 17.5 HP Craftsman lawn tractor on sale for $949.99.  Sears Willowbrook/$949.99/Valid through 6/19.

A special thanks to my husband, Rob, for the Top 10 ideas and for being a loving dad and caring husband.  

Happy Father’s Day, Parsippany Dads.  I hope you all enjoy the day.