All dads want to be recognized for their contribution to the family. Father’s Day is the perfect way for the family to say thanks for all you do. I have rolled up my sleeves and found some unique, creative, fun, and practical gift ideas in the Princeton area and online to fit all budgets, and every personality .
Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~ Elizabeth Stone
Small Budget:
- Delaware River Tubing – This includes a barbecue lunch. (Video above)
- Princeton Touring Company – Book him a tour with this company. It’s one of the best he’ll ever go on. The ghost tours are great.
- Insignia 1.8″ LCD digital photo key chain – Buy him this LCD key chain, so he can have his family with him wherever he goes.
- Family Photo Album – Looking for a tactile source of sharing memories? Buy this photo album and in addition to photos, add messages, notes, poems, etc. in the memo area.
- A Little Taste of Cuba – One really good cigar for the special occasion.
- The Princeton Record Exchange – Any James Bond, Iron Man 1 or 2, True Lies, or Thomas Crown Affair (’99) movie on DVD for the guy who enjoys looking at fast cars, gadgets, exotic travel, watches, and fine clothing.
- Trenton Thunder tickets – Scroll down to the single tickets. Consider July 2 or 3 because they have a firework display after the game. A family of four (with two kids) can buy tickets for $40.
- Rocky Hill by the Cup or Small World Coffee – A bag of coffee for the guy who needs a jolt of java in the morning.
- Dollar Tree – Put together a car wash kit with a utility pail and put inside it microfiber wash mitts, a chamois cloth, and liquid soap from the , plus add a coupon for a free car wash.
- Princeton Public Library tech goodies and more – If you live in Princeton Borough or Township, this is all free! If you don’t live in town, buy him a PPL card, even if it’s for just one month. Request a museum pass; reserve a gadget, i.e. iPad, Kindle 2, Sony Daily Reader; download audio books, eBooks, Mango Language lesson, films and more; reserve a Flip Ultra Series video camera, or check out a Garmin eTrex HC GPS receiver (geocaching friendly)
- Rock Climbing Center – Have dad climb to new heights with this fun activity.
- Omaha Steaks – The Grilling Trio features top sirloin steaks, Omaha Steaks burgers and gourmet hotdogs.
- Target – Stainless steel barbecue set.
- Canoeing on the D&R Canal – Princeton canoe & kayak rental.
- Ironwood Outdoor Center – High ropes course and zip lining, which is part of the Adventure Days activities.
Average Budget:
- Combat Sports – Outdoor laser tag for him and nine or more of his friends for the ultimate combat game. (Video above)
- New York Camera of Princeton (no website) – DSLRs, compact cameras, lenses, filters, and accessories for dad.
- Cuff links – For work or formal attire.
- Miller Rogaska by Reed & Barton Beverage Set – A crystal decanter and double old fashion glasses.
- Princeton Symphony Orchestra tickets – Since the cultural season is over and resumes in the fall, you can make a gift certificate for tickets of his choice.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones – For the frequent flyer.
- Freefall Adventures or Skydive Jersey Shore – Tandem sky diving.
- Blue Ridge Mountain Sports – The John Witherspoon Woods has a single-stage cache. Dad can use the Garmin Orgegon 450 GPS, which supports geocaching, to assist him on his quest.
- McCarter Theater – Subscription for the 2011 – 2012 season. Theater, dance, music, Penn & Teller, Anthony Bourdain, Florence Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Béla Fleck, Emanuel Ax, Mary Chapin Carpenter and more are slated to perform. Need I say more?
- Spring Mountain Adventures – Canopy Tours take you on a course between trees, including rope challenges, rappels and climbs separated by some exciting zip lines.
- ChessHouse – House of Stauton chess set.
- The Princeton Corkscrew – Double Cross Vodka is filtered seven times! Purchase a bottle and make the contest winning cocktail that an elements Restaurant bartender created.
- Party boat fishing in New Jersey – For the fisherman in your life.
- Best Buy – Fathers can be gamers too. The Xbox 360 with Kinect has a 250GB hard drive to store games, HD video and music. The built-in wifi allows files to be streamed, and Kinect allows hands-free gaming.
- Mrs G’s – Some men don’t like to cook in the kitchen, but feel like a king at the grill.
- Wade Creations or Em’s Place – There’s something about old school wet shaving. A silvertip badger brush shaving kit makes the difference.
- Catch a Rising Star comedy club tickets – For the guy who loves to laugh.
- Yards Creek Soaring – Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond (’95 – ’02), was also in the Thomas Crown Affair (’99), where he piloted a glider plane shown in this video. It’s a wonderful feeling to fly without the sounds of a motor, almost naturally like a bird.
- New Jersey Sailing School and Charter – Pierce Brosnan was also in a sailing scene in the above movie shown here. Of course, this was extreme catamaran sailing, but dad could reach that level with many lessons.
Luxury Budget:
- New York Yankees Fantasy Camp – How can you top an experience like this for a baseball or Yankee fan? He might be speechless for a moment when he opens this gift. (Video above)
- Phillies Fantasy Camp – Choose this option if you’re a Phillies fan!
- Lobster – Your tennis bum will LOVE this tennis ball machine.
- Hamilton Jewelers – A watch is de rigueur for a gentleman. This is the place if your fathers is a horologist, featuring fine timepieces from manufacturers i.e., A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, IWC, and Jaeger LeCoultre for him.
- Nick Hilton or Ralph Lauren – Custom suits, sports jackets, trousers, shirts, and more.
- Dicks Sporting Goods – They have a great selection of in-ground basketball systems for the dad who has game!
- Gilded Lion – Bibliophiles love getting their hands on rare books and manuscripts, and they can be your source. Also try Barnes & Nobles Rare & Collectible Books.
- Exotic Car Rentals of New Jersey – He could drive an Italian sports car or be chauffeur driven in a Phantom or Maybach? How’s that for style?
- Monster Racing – So it’s not the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, but still impressive. Dear ol’ dad can fulfill a dream of race car driving.
- Brookstone at Market Fair – They have massage chairs that will provide different level programs to rid him of tension and tightness in the comfort of his own home.
- Caesar’s Atlantic City – Casino AC Style. Have him head down to Atlantic City for the casinos, bars, and entertainment. Caesar’s is centrally located on the boardwalk.
- Kopp’s Cycle Shop or Jay’s Cycles – Whether he likes to tour or race they’ll have the bike for him.
- Phrog Personal Training Studio or P.T.S. Health & Fitness – A personal trainer at will make sure you safely and completely work out to achieve your goals.
- Man cave goodies – pinball machine, arcade games, pool & foosball tables from Pinball Sales; poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps tables from Casino Games Supply; home theater installation from Picture Perfect Installation or Electronics Design Group, and No Girls Allowed sign.
- Great White Shark Diving – Five day all-inclusive shark diving package departing from San Diego for the adrenaline junkie. (Video below)