Buying gifts can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Especially when you’re shopping for people who are as picky as a porcupine or seem to have everything.

With Father’s Day around the corner, you’re might be revving up for the big day if you haven’t already purchased anything. And though gifts aren’t needed to show appreciation, they’re certainly a great way to express gratitude. To this end, you want to be sure that the special man in your life receives a special gift, one that shows your thanks and appreciation! And most importantly, you want to be sure that your gift is something that he can truly appreciate, something different than the standard tie or pair of socks.

The following list comprises a few travel-themed gifts that are a bit off-the-grid. They’re perfect for the thrill-seekers, go-getters and adventure-hounds in your life. They’re also great for fathers who are a bit pickier—or who seem to have it all already. And the best part is that they’re all wholly unique. Enjoy!

Cork Globe

This globe will highlight his travels in style! That summer you both went wine tasting in Italy or Oregon? Pin it! That’s right—pushpins and earth tones allow for a three-dimensional memory of where he’s been and where he still wants to go.

Portable Briefcase BBQ Grill

Not only does he look good going to the office, now he can turn heads while barbequing as well! This grill shapes up to look like a stainless steel briefcase, making it the perfect gift for portable dining. Take it to the beach, lake or even in the backyard.

WiFi and USB Cufflinks

Though cufflinks can rank right up there with ties as far as what fathers get all too often, these cufflinks are definitely cool! He can look good and listen to good sounds, or get a bit of work done all via a set of silver cufflinks. Be careful, though. These bad boys jut might have him thinking he’s the next James Bond!

Titanium Multi-tool Collar Stays

Collar stays are something that have withstood the test of time. With this titanium version, he’ll withstand the test of fashion and time! What’s more, these collar stays are multi-functional, meaning he can also crack open a bottle of beer with them, use them as a handy screwdriver or find other ways to use them and be his own MacGyver!

Shot Flask

Flasks might come a dime a dozen, but his doesn’t have to. The ever-handy shot flask adds a shooter into the mix! Most appear as an embellishment in the center of the flask. When he’s ready, he can simply pop out the shot glass and pour a measured dose of the good stuff!

Stainless Steel Beard and Mustache Comb

Feel good, look good and look good doing it! Now he can keep his facial hair groomed while on the go and all with a stylish, portable comb.

Power Card

These sleek and efficient power hubs have been all the rage for some time now. Maybe it’s time that the father in your life had one too. Power cards allow for recharging at the drop of a hat, and as such, are extremely versatile. Find a wallet-sized card with power and beauty and give a gift that’s both functional and fashionable.

Anywhere Travel Guide

This isn’t your average guide—the Anywhere Travel Guide has guts! In reality, the guide is a pack of 75 cards that provide prompts for you to act on while traveling. Instead of lugging around a tome about the gardens of a city, why not dive into fun and whimsy by pulling out a random card and acting on the instructions? Fathers are sure to love the excitement of this guide. And the great thing is that it can be used anywhere and at all times!

The post Travel-themed Gifts for Father’s Day appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Father’s Day is the time of year where we celebrate the most important man in your family—good ol’ Dad.  As you head out to find your dad a meaningful and extra special gift that shows him just how much you love him, why not think ‘out-of-the-socks’?  How about going for something more unique and memorable?  As a father to 7 kids, I’ve seen my fair share of Father’s Day gifts, and that does mean a lot of ties and socks but I’ve also been given some amazing ones.  Dad always appreciates anything you give him, but something he loves is even better. Here are a few ideas to show your dad he’s #1 to your family:

• Putt Putt Golf Outing with the family followed by ice cream
• Family Day at a baseball or semi/professional soccer game (give him the official jersey to go along with the game you’re going, as well!).
• Plan a family outing doing dad’s favorite activity or bobby such as golfing, fishing, or boating (maybe rent a pontoon for the family and bring picnic along and fishing poles, etc.).
• Don’t skip the tie, just make it special by ordering tie designed by the kids
• What dad couldn’t use a new key ring?  Get him a “#1 Dad: or “My Dad Rocks” key ring with the kids’ names engraved on the back
• It’s ok for dad to wear some bling when it’s a cool dog tag necklace featuring his kids’ names and birth dates
• Track down dad’s favorite baseball or football card, comic book or magazine from an important time (childhood, his birthdate, a rare collector’s item)
• Give dad the experience of doing something he’s always wanted to do like the race car lesson/experience, rock climbing with a pro, diving/snorkeling lessons, or airplane flying lessons.  It’s living out a dream while also giving a super memorable gift.
• Sign him up for a beer or wine of the month club and throw in some personalized pub glasses, too.
• Give him a collection of his top 5 movies, but not just any movies, get them in hi definition/blue ray.
• Make a homemade video for him with the kids dancing, playing instruments, reading a poem for dad they wrote, etc.
• Give him an autographed photo of his favorite sports star or actor.  It will go well in his man cave!

Happy Father’s Day!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Parenting Expert and father of 7, Robert Nickell (aka Daddy Nickell) offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddy & Co., delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel for every stage of fatherhood, and the Daily Daddy Blog.  He is also the creator and producer of “My Life as a Dad,” the groundbreaking new web series that showcases celebrity fathers offering their personal experiences and parenting tips.

The post Fun & Unique Father’s Day Gifts appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Psst…we’ve got a little secret we want to share with you about Father’s Day. No matter how grateful they may seem, dads don’t want a tie on their special day.  Nor do they want anything that reminds them they have to go back to the office on Monday. That includes fountain pens, coffee mugs, picture frames, brief cases and yes, neckties.

What dads really want is a daily reminder that the weekend is coming and that it’s going to be glorious – all because of your gift.  So this Father’s Day, think outside the gift box and give dad what he really wants.  We suggest one (or all) of the three c’s – cocktails, charcoal and cars.

No, not a real car (though kudos if you can swing it!) – think more like accessories.  A new stereo, a GPS system, a charging dock for his cell phone or even a roof rack perfect for bikes, kayaks, surf boards or whatever recreational sports he enjoys.

Nothing says the weekend’s here like a good, old-fashioned libation. And speaking of old-fashioned (we’ve got bourbon on the brain), why not give him the chance to perfect his bartending skills with his own cocktail set.  With a healthy supply of spirits for handcrafted cocktails, he’ll be the host with the most at the next backyard barbeque.

And speaking of barbeques, what’s the one thing no Father’s Day is complete without? Grilling.  Let’s be honest, he doesn’t want to get dressed up and go to brunch with his in-laws. He wants to stay at home and barbeque steaks for his friends and family.  This year, splurge and get dad the latest and greatest barbeque to get Father’s Day (and summer) started right.  But be sure to ask whether he’s a charcoal or propane kind of man first!

To get the ball rolling, here’s a few of our favorite links and great gift ideas for dad:

http://www.grillcharms.com/

http://www.bbqguys.com/content_content_17956.html

http://www.carid.com/

http://www.lightinthebox.com

http://www.homewetbar.com/

http://www.stirrings.com

The post The Three C’s of Father’s Day Gift-Giving appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Personalization is a leading gifting trend, meaning more people are skipping generic gift options and creating sentimental presents that instantly become cherished keepsakes. Gifts that convey meaning and embrace special memories are sure to make a lasting impression. Even for the most time-starved among us, the following quick and easy ideas are guaranteed to make your loved one smile:

One-of-a-kind card:

Make her blush or brighten his day with a customized card that features fun photos and a touching message. Creating a wonderful, one-of-a-kind creation takes just a few minutes when you take your camera or photo card to the nearest KODAK Picture Kiosk. In various formats and sizes for less than $2.00, photo cards are very affordable and have loads of sentimental value. Choose from tons of exclusive modern, creative layouts from designers like Bonnie Marcus to delight every parent, grad or bride-to-be in your life.

Personalized flowerpot:

Beautiful blooms and warm weather are the perfect pairing, and giving flowers is always a classic gift. But why not take it one step further and make a personalized flowerpot that can be used season after season? Perfect for Mom, Grandma or anyone with a green thumb, flowerpots can be decorated with a favorite photo and then painted for a one-of-a-kind homemade design. Finish by adorning with a colorful bow that matches the beautiful blooms held within the pot.

Photo collages:

A carefully crafted photo collage of special images can make a stunning gift that tugs at the heartstrings and only takes minutes to make. Thanks to advanced printing technology, you can skip the scissors and paste and create a professional-looking collage for less at your local photo printer. For mothers, add photos of special family moments from a recent vacation, or for grads, add photos from different grades as way to reflect on how quickly time flies. Place the collage in a frame and pair it with a card for a gift that will be cherished long after the party is over.

Creative handprints:

Every person’s hand and fingerprints are unique – use them to create crafty gifts that convey the special love your family shares for each other. Hand impressions in clay stepping stones make unique presents that can be placed in a garden or displayed on a shelf. Or, adorn a family picture with a matte featuring the kids’ handprints. Use paint or ink and carefully press hands to the matte so it doesn’t smudge. You might want to try a few times on a practice piece of paper first before adding handprints to the matte. Choose one color or let kids each pick their own favorite hue to represent their unique personalities.

Photo blocks:

Impress loved ones young and old by creating special photo blocks that display favorite images from the past year. Start by buying wood blocks at your local craft store. Usually four or five is a good amount. Then order prints – any time, anywhere by downloading the free My KODAK Moments App, which makes it easy to access images from your phone or social media sites like Facebook or Instagram. Once materials are collected, cut each photo to the block size and attach with spray adhesive. Add a special message on the corner of each block with a marker or stamp. Some people write out “mama,” “love” or another special word to add a personalized touch to this easy-to-make project.

The post Giving from the heart: Simple tips for creating personalized gifts with deep meaning appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

One of the most challenging aspects of the holidays is finding the perfect gifts for your friends and family. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s now crunch time for millions of people scrambling for last-minute gift ideas. In addition, the right gift can help your loved ones reach their health and fitness goals for the coming year! Here are some of the best health and fitness products that can be great holiday gifts:

1.     Withings Smart Body Analyzer

http://www.withings.com/en/bodyanalyzer

A scale on steroids, the Smart Body Analyzer from Withings not only monitors weight but body composition, heart rate, and even air quality in your house. It integrates with a smartphone app that allows you to set weekly goals and provides tips and reminders.

2.     The GLO Bag: Ultimate Gym Locker Organizer

http://theglobag.com/products-page/glo-bags/ladies-bag-hot-pink/

A great gift for moms, the GLO bag is a handy organizer for all of her gym essentials like clothes, towels, shoes, and cosmetics. What’s more, it hangs neatly in gym lockers and can be carried like a regular backpack.

3.     Subscription Health or Snack Boxes

http://www.klutchclub.com/

http://www.bulubox.com/

http://naturebox.com/

Keep your friends and family on track to meet goals in 2014 with a subscription box service. Depending on which one you choose, these boxes contain a variety of health and/or snack products and are delivered every month. A large range of products for both men and women are available. 

4.     YurBuds Inspire Pro Earphones

http://yurbuds.com/products/in-the-ear/inspire-pro/

Earphones that continually fall out are just plain annoying while exercising or hitting the gym. These ones from YurBuds are guaranteed to stay in your ear. They also come with a three-button microphone so that you can skip tracks, make calls, and adjust the volume on the move.

5.     Men’s Under Armour Workout Shorts

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens-ua-multiplier-10-shorts/pid1228558-002

Help keep Dad comfortable and looking good at the gym with a new pair of workout shorts. These shorts are ultimate exercise necessity for men because they are breathable, wick moisture, and allow for a wide range of motion.

With products like these, you can help keep your family and friends on track to meet their health and fitness goals in 2014!

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