It’s time for the annual jokes about giving your father a tie — so I thought it would be a good time to find out what Father’s Day gifts dads have actually enjoyed getting over the years.

There were some surprises. Matthew Smith, a new father, says “I honestly love ties.” Maybe your dad does, too — you should know.

Most people’s suggestions fell into one of two categories: Spending time with your father doing something he likes, or high quality gifts based on his interests.

Chris Beem, for example, says, “The year before my dad died I gave him a deep sea fishing trip. He loved it because he hadn’t been in years. My dad, brother, and myself all went . . .”

The special activities don’t have to cost much. JAC remembers one year “I just took Father’s Day, and did everything he liked to do–we played volleyball with my aunts and uncles.” An all-request dinner and family bike ride followed. “It was just a really good day, and that happiness is something that is irreplaceable.”

When it comes to gifts you can wrap, Matthew Smith says, “I wouldn’t refuse an axe . . . something of heirloom quality. I am tired of disposable items.” He also suggests searching etsy.com for something locally made and useful, like bike baskets.

Bridget Delaney recalls about her late father: “He loved to make flies for fishing. The greatest thing we could get him was shiny tinsel stuff for his crafts or colorful dusters . . .”

Other good gifts, according to readers, were: matching leather jackets for the father and his only grandson, a handmade card that the father kept on his office wall for 20 years, golf or fishing gear, wine, and sports tickets.

It looks as if the best Father’s Day gifts are those that show you know — and care — what’s important to your father.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are not usually really big holidays to my parents. Perhaps it is because they are European and these two “holidays” are not celebrated over there, but it may just be the nature of the two of them. My sisters and I usually make these two days a bigger deal then they expect them to be, but I still do not think that we do as much as some families do.

As kids, we made some pretty terrible arts and craft gifts, created coupon booklets, and brought them breakfast in bed. All of these gifts were, of course, well received and appreciated, but now that we are getting older, those arts and crafts are not so cute anymore. We had it easy back then! Nowadays we want to get them something useful on their designated days, but it is hard to come up with ideas sometimes.

I think it is safe to say that my dad is one of those guys that has everything. If he does not have it, then it is something that only he knows he does not have and that he will more than likely order for himself. He may hint and point at something and say, “Now that is something I do not have!”  and that is our cue to remember what that item was. We usually cannot tell if he is serious about wanting that item or not, but he is usually pretty happy, and not too surprised, when we get him what he pointed at months ago.

At this point in the game, I think that the best thing to do for my dad on Father’s Day is to just spend time with him. There are not too many days in the year when children are supposed to focus on their dads, so we owe it to him for at least once a year. This year, I think that he would most appreciate a day of weeding in the yard, a game of pool at the Billiard club, a nice dinner out, and a hug goodnight. Sounds like an “all-about-Dad” day to me!

Father’s Day is coming in about a month on June 20, 2010. What do you have planned to honor your dad on this special day? Surprise Dad with something special and unique for an unforgettable day for him.

1. Breakfast in Bed

Start Father’s Day with breakfast in bed. Plan it out with your mom or your older siblings. Cook his favorites. It doesn’t have to be breakfast food but it has to be food he loves. Serve it to him in bed before he wakes up and start his day right.

2. Games

Figure out Dad’s favorite thing to do. Does he like going to the park? Does he like throwing and catching Frisbees in the weekend? Does he like to hunt? Fish? Golf? Figure out what he likes and do only the things he wants to do on Father’s Day. Make it special by making the day just about him.

3. Me Time

Or better yet, schedule the entire day so that Dad has “me time” the entire day. He can pamper himself the way he wants to and without any distractions. If he wants to sleep in, he can. If he wants to run, he can. It’s all up to him.

4. The Help

Appoint yourself as Dad’s own personal assistant or slave. Offer to do all the stuff he normally does yourself. Be your dad’s driver or cook or gardener or massage therapist.

5. Party

If your dad likes it, invite his friends and your family for a small get-together, preferably at your own house. Make it an informal bbq and let him spend time with family and friends without having to worry about anything else.

What else can you do to make Father’s Day a special day for Dad?

The stereotype of giving Dad a tie for Father’s Day isn’t that far off from reality. For some reason, Father’s Day gifts tend to be clichés like cologne, slippers, and yes, a tie. Here are some ways to get the kids involved in picking a gift that Dad actually will enjoy:

1) Tickets to a sporting event. This doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re on a budget (and who isn’t?), you usually can get tickets to a minor league baseball team for just a couple of bucks. Father’s Day conveniently falls right in the middle of baseball season. The kids can feel like they’re a part of the process if you let them help pick the date for the game or go to the box office to buy the tickets. Dad will be thrilled with a night out at the ballpark, and going to a ballgame is a great bonding activity with the kids.

2) Chores. Most dads work all week then come home to a pile of chores around the house on the weekend. Depending on the ages of the children, there are plenty of jobs that they can do to surprise Dad for Father’s Day. Mowing the lawn is always popular. Washing the car is a good one. Coming home to find the leaves neatly raked would be a pleasant surprise for almost any dad.

3) Cater to Dad’s hobby. If he’s a golfer, get him something to help him enjoy his game. If he’s into music, work with that. The trick is that kids will tend to pick out something tangentially related to Dad’s hobby (e.g. golfing dad gets a tie with a picture of a golfer on it). Try to steer them toward something that actually will contribute to Dad’s enjoyment of his hobby.

4) Breakfast in bed. I don’t know why this is so much more popular for Mother’s Day, but Dad would like a chance to lounge in bed once a year, too. Have the kids whip up their special pancakes or eggs and sausage and serve Dad in bed. He’ll appreciate the extra time to himself as much as the food.

Father’s Day is celebrated on June 21st, which is also the official start to summer. If you are looking for a new and creative way to treat your dad to a special day, then why not start by thinking food. After all, what father does not like to eat? Perhaps making him his favorite blueberry pancakes or making sure there is plenty of fresh squeezed orange juice will put a smile on his face that will last all day. You might even want to whip up a batch of your mother’s chocolate chip muffins to add a little decadence to the meal!

Eating out for brunch, lunch or supper at your father’s favorite restaurant is another option if it fits into your budget. Some restaurants offer specials on holidays such as this one.

Picnics at a park or out by the lake are another option, if Father’s Day is forecasted to be warm and sunny. Or perhaps you don’t need to go any farther than your backyard. Fire up the grill and let your dad put his feet up while you cook up a feast of hamburgers, shish kabobs, or his favorite steak!

What does your father enjoy doing? Does he like sports? Fishing? Is he a car enthusiast? Or maybe he is a homebody who likes nothing better than to relax at home and get things done around the yard? Whatever your father enjoys doing most, then plan a Father’s Day outing or activity that involves what he loves.

Bear in mind that you don’t have to have a lot of money to spend a meaningful Father’s Day with your father. Finding ways to show your love for him and to send the message that he is important to you is all that it takes to put meaning into the day.

Many simple things can speak volumes when it comes to a special day. For example, buying your dad a card and taking him out for a cup of coffee will give the two of you the opportunity to enjoy quality time together.

Helping your father with tasks he normally does himself is a very kind and thoughtful way to say I love you. Perhaps this is another option for the day that you can explore.