📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

3 Cool Ways to Say Thanks to Your Dad This Father's Day Go beyond the typical tie or bottle of scotch and try one of these suggestions instead.

By Matthew Toren

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

This Father's Day, since you're past the age of macaroni-art masterpieces and probably are as sick of giving ties as your dad is of getting them, here are some other cool ways to say thanks that are as unique as your relationship with your father.

Go for an experience. What does your dad love? Go beyond the gift of a thing and give him the gift of an experience. Don't just go straight to golf because he does it on the weekends with his work colleagues. Do some real digging and find something your dad loves or has always wanted to try (maybe that you could even do together). Ask his buddies for some help or enlist other family members.

Related: 5 Father's Day Gifts for the Entrepreneurial Dad

Maybe dad has always wanted to drive an Indy car? There are racetrack schools, such as the Indy Racing Experience, that has teaching and training tracks from coast to coast. Has your dad dreamed of a day out fishing? Check Groupon or Living Social for a a gift certificate to a local charter he could enjoy on his own time. What about an introductory flight lesson? Check out the small municipal airports near dad's address and there should be a flight school that offers a one-hour "Learn-to-Fly" experience that could have your dad soaring in the clouds this Father's Day.

Think outside the box and show dad you really care by purchasing an experience you can share instead of a gift he can open.

Personalize it. No, I don't mean a monogram or his initials on something. If you are stumped for experience ideas or your dad really is the gift-getting type, then go for something ultra personalized he can use.

Related: Hey, Dad: Give Your Daughter's Career a Boost. Do the Dishes.

Does dad live so far that something such as an Android tablet or iPad with Facetime or Skype installed would bring the family together? If he's already electronically inclined, try something that keeps on giving all year. Does your dad love scotch? Why not give him a membership and every month he'll get a new scotch or whisky so he can sip a dram thinking of just how loved he is all year?

There are plenty of other monthly membership options you could get dad, too. The monthly membership gifts range from cheeses, bacon, wine and more. Try to think of something dad could really benefit from and invest your Father's Day money in helping him get something he'd never get for himself.

Try a service instead. Dads are notorious for doing things themselves, often to their detriment. What about springing for a service? Would your dad benefit from a lawn-mowing service for six months so he could spend Saturdays doing something he loves? What about a year membership for an activity at the local swimming pool or (if he's really into it) golf club? If all else fails, try a gift certificate for a year's worth of oil changes or car details from the local dealership.

Dads are notoriously practical, so get him a service gift he'll really use and say thanks for all the things he's done for you over the years.

Related: Hacker Dad Rigs Air Hockey Robot from 3-D Printer Parts

Matthew Toren

Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com

Matthew Toren is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, investor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com. He is co-author, with his brother Adam, of Kidpreneurs and Small Business, BIG Vision: Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right (Wiley). He's based in Vancouver, B.C.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Business News

These Are the 10 Most Profitable Cities for Airbnb Hosts, According to a New Report

Here's where Airbnb property owners and hosts are making the most money.

Side Hustle

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Successful Business

A hobby, interest or charity project can turn into a money-making business if you know the right steps to take.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Productivity

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.

Starting a Business

This Couple Turned Their Startup Into a $150 Million Food Delivery Company. Here's What They Did Early On to Make It Happen.

Selling only online to your customers has many perks. But the founders of Little Spoon want you to know four things if you want to see accelerated growth.