Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

2:49 a.m. • 6-19-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F
  • Thu: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F
  • Fri: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 85° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image
Go Ask Mom

[search] Site Search

print friendly

Geralin Thomas: Clutter-free gift ideas for dad

By Geralin Thomas

Published: 2012-06-12 20:54:00
Updated: 2012-06-12 20:54:00

Posted: June 12, 2012

Tags: Activities, Seasonal & Holidays, Mom's Life

Why not celebrate dear old dad and honor the guy who gave you 23 of your 46 chromosomes?

Here are 23 gift ideas that are almost clutter-free. Note there are no plastic gift cards that, in some cases, become clutter in his wallet. Most of these gifts are services or events/acts that won’t sit around collecting dust or cluttering the garage shelves!

1. Tickets for the whole family to the movies or popcorn and a rented movie

2. Collect a bunch of quotes about dads and present him with a PDF to be saved on his computer

3. Prepay a subscription to an online team of professional organizers

4. A slide show of family photos (on the computer)

5. Put on a family talent show and each child plays “the dad”

6. Prepare his favorite dinner and dessert

7. A car wash including vacuuming

8. Purchase an on-line subscription to a newspaper that he enjoys

9. Coffee from his favorite Joe-to-go place

10. A shredder for his home office/counter top

11. A can of spicy nuts and a pitcher of old-fashioned, fresh-squeezed lemonade

12. Fresh, homemade salsa and chips.

13. Personalized license plate for the car (GR8 DAD)

14. Ice Cream Sundae Party with his favorite ingredients

15. An audio book for the commute to work

16. A bag of homemade trail mix or granola

17. A couple bars of “man soap” for the shower

18. Homemade cookies/brownies/pie/cake

19. Homemade chocolate covered pretzel rods or strawberries

20. Tickets to see his favorite team play in a local arena

21. Organize the garage or trunk of his car for him

22. A subscription to satellite radio

23. A love letter from the family stating the top 23 reason you love him!

Geralin Thomas, a Cary mom of two, is a professional organizer and productivity expert. She owns Metropolitan Organizing and is a regular on A&E's show Hoarders.
 

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

2 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

page 1
sort order: oldest first | newest first
Yeah, haha. What is the opposite of hoarding? I have that.
cherylskinner23
June 13, 2012 12:47 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
There is no chance of any clutter at my parents home. My Dad throws out too much! ....I'm sure if I send a card, it will be in the recycle bin that same day...:( Last year I cooked him a homemade blueberry pancake breakfast. That's not easy because he is a picky eater too! :(
Click to view my profile snowl
June 13, 2012 7:43 a.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
page 1
sort order: oldest first | newest first
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
Meet Sarah Hall
GoAskMom Editor

Video

••• 
←→

  • Launch Lab adds a dozen new interactive pieces to the museum's already popular indoor Aerospace gallery, where you also can see a…

  • The local kids and family band performs a song from their new album "Rubber Chicken Rock."

  • Go Ask Mom Editor Sarah Hall talks with WRAL about the summer fun guide, a one-stop place for all the best activities to keep kids…

  • Amy Sugg, a mom of two, talks about her new consignment shop The 2nd Look Children's Consignment Boutique.

  • We all know the old saying, "children should be seen, but not heard." Cristin DeRonja, director of the SafeChild Advocacy Center in…

  • The students and staff at Cedar Fork Elementary star in a music video to capture their journey of learning for this year. The lyrics…

  • Mary Poole, Artspace executive director, talks about the collection of artist studios and galleries in downtown Raleigh and why it's…

  • Beatrice Diaz, a mom of four in Chapel Hill, talks about her business Absolute Joy.

  • Cristin DeRonja, director of the SAFEchild Advocacy Center and a Raleigh mom of four, tells us that listening to your children is…

  • Pam Hartley, vice president of exhibits and education at Marbles, talks about the downtown Raleigh's updated Around Town exhibit.

  • Johnathan Edmonds, a Cary dad and Air Force pilot, talks about his new children's series - Service Pals.

  • Learn all about how chocolate is made - from the bean to the bar - then indulge in some delicious treats at this downtown Raleigh shop.

  • Leeann Eagle talks about her business creating personalized and appliqued apparel for kids.

  • Check out the scene at our big playdate featuring Artspace, Lil' Chef, the Chick-fil-A cow, Rissi Palmer, the Wake County Sheriff's…

  • Cristin DeRonja of SAFEchild in Wake County talks about the agency's program called Funny Tummy Feelings, which teaches kids skills…

  • LeeAnn Donnelly of Biltmore talks about the estate in Asheville and spots that families shouldn't miss when the visit.

  • Anna Norton, a Cary mom, talks about her journey with Type 1 diabetes, her involvement in Diabetes Sisters and the nonprofit's…


GoAskMom Camp Guide promo 320x110

Resources

more
Smart Shopper, Faye Prosser
more