It can be challenging to buy a Father’s Day gift for dad – either he has everything already, or you simply can’t afford what he says he wants!
This Father’s Day, try changing things up a little and move beyond buying things that can be easily broken or forgotten, to finding memorable experiences he’ll carry with him for the rest of his life.
Research from Cornell University on the Science of Happiness found that while buying physical gifts might make us happy – it only lasts a while, because once the excitement and novelty of the new gift wears off, we move on to searching for the next one.
On the converse, it found that every time we think of a significant moment with a loved one, or a magical experience we enjoyed, it still makes us happy, whether the moment was yesterday, last week, last year, or even last century!
Using this to your advantage, you can make your dad happiest by finding the perfect experience for him. Here are some ideas to get you started:
An advanced driving course
Who doesn’t want to drive like someone in The Italian Job? If your dad always gets a twinkle in his eye when he sees a fast car, then an advanced driving course might be just the thing for him.
Cooking and baking
The foodie or aspiring chef in your life will love the extra knowledge of a cooking or baking course. From learning how to make sourdough bread to honing in on fine French cuisine, this is a gift you might very well benefit from, too!
Golf lessons
Is he an amateur golfer? Instead of buying him a club (he’s probably got so many already), why not give him the gift of improving his game? Lessons from a pro is sure to improve his swing.
A language course
With travel limited, there’s no reason not to still experience different cultures by learning new languages. Even if your dad can’t make that amazing trip he’s always dreamt of, he may still be keen to learn a new language – from French and German to Zulu and Japanese, a language course is the gift that will keep giving.
A weekend away
An unforgettable weekend is something he’ll remember far longer than that football shirt – particularly if his team goes off the boil… There are plenty of listings online for easy weekend getaways, close to home or further afield.
Other great experience gifts could be hot air ballooning, skydiving or bungee jumping for the really brave dads, or a gin distilling or craft beer making course.