The Top Ten Gift Ideas for Single or Widowed Dads

He's over 65. He's retired, a widower - or divorced. He seems to enjoy his life, but you worry. There's something missing since mom's been gone. It'd be nice if you could think of something to make him a little happier - even if it was just for one afternoon.

Thing is - this guy - He's DONE everything - and YOU have a family to feed. You can't afford to impress him with helicopter rides through the Ozarks, as much as you'd like to. What you can offer is a little thoughtfulness - and you may be amazed at what a fantastic present DOESN'T cost!

Learning to cook proves a difficult task for lots of fellahs in this circumstance. They, instead, rely upon noontime meals from diners and fast food joints for their main source of sustenance. Cereal or canned and frozen snack items suffice in the evening. This practice quickly poses a threat to their health, and it many develop into high blood pressure and related diseases.

Typing favored, easy-to-prepare family recipes onto a word processor and placing them into a three-ringed binder is a thoughtful and low-cost gesture on your part. It also serves to bring older guys one step closer to a better quality of life - and adds comfort, evokes welcome memories, and helps to stretch their monthly budget while assisting them in maintaining their own independence.

A dad who uses a Laundromat may appreciate a ten-pound bucket of his favorite powdered detergent, premeasured for individual loads, and sealed in individual sandwich bags. The bags can then be placed back into the original detergent container, and the lid closed. Imagine the convenience of simply reaching into the bucket for the prescribed number of loads on his way to the Laundromat! (Bet it follows with requests for more).

Seasonal visits to farm stands or an orchard may inspire an entire host of homemade gifts - from apple pies and tarts, to cinnamon swirls, to a quart of spaghetti sauce from tomatoes grown in your very own garden. Don't forget to encourage dads to try new dishes with old favorites - if he likes basil, he may love Pesto. Whip up a batch with your farm-fresh version, and don't forget to include the recipe!

Most dads don't get to wash - or wax - their cars nearly enough. Imagine how thrilled he'll be when you give his vehicle a real going over - inside and out - including a good rubdown with some paste wax! He'd never tell you how much he loved it, of course, but every one of his buddies down at The Lodge is sure to hear all about it! (At least once).

Maybe dad is in the mood for a nice pot roast, with all of the fixin's? He might like it already prepared - or fresh from the market and paired with his favorite bottle of wine. Don't forget the crusty bread, and to stop by the salad bar, whatever you do!

Trips to classic book or music discounters always prove fruitful. Offering plenty of items for dads to enjoy, they won't require you to sacrifice the family trust fund to bring home a nice selection. If you know his taste, you can shop ahead, or on-line for even deeper discounts.

A digital camera allows you to snap portraits of family members and to document special moments. Most larger department stores offer low-cost do-it-yourself editing services (if you don't have a program on your computer) and instant developing. Put the photos in an inexpensive frame, album, or photo box, or use a glue stick to attach them to a posterboard.

Drop off your dad's seasonal clothing to his favorite dry cleaner and pick up the tab. (Prepaid tabs often receive a discount of as much as 10-%). Don't forget, though, to pick the items up when ready.

Why not sew Dad a few pillow cases, a burgee, or a scarf to ward off an impending winter from the high-quality remnants available in most fabric stores? They're a fraction of the price of the full-priced yardage, and offer a multitude of choices in color, style, and selection.

Take on an overdue minor landscaping project. Rake and bag leaves. Mow or reseed his lawn. Wack his leaves. Put in, mulch, or weed a garden. Paint his fence. Shovel his snow. Clean out his gutters or refurbish that long-overdue room. He'll appreciate the break. (Dad's will seldom ask for help, even when they need it for projects like these).

Gift-giving does not have to be costly or extravagant to be memorable. Sometimes the most impressive offerings are, in fact, those which come with little or no price tag attached. They're those which come from the bottom of the giver's heart because the giver is truly vested.

Whatever gift you ultimately choose, remember - the greatest present of all doesn't fit inside any gift bag. It can't be harnessed by any bow. The greatest gift of all is the attention paid your dad.