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Father's Day Easy Gift Ideas

Father's Day is a wonderful opportunity to tell the special men in your life that you notice all the little things they do all year. Husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, uncle, brother or that special guy who adds to your daily happiness • to you, he's one in a million.

"On Father's Day, sons, daughters and wives take this one-day opportunity to tell Dad how much they love and appreciate him," says Jennifer Kinnon of Hallmark Canada. "With a little thought, it's easy to make his day a special one he'll remember for years to come."

What is the best way to say thank you for everything without embarrassing the men in your life? Since a card is sure to be part of the gift-giving, Kinnon suggests the following tips to make it even more meaningful.

• Include tickets to see his favorite sports team.

• Have any little ones add their special touch with handprints or drawings on the inside.

• Turn the card into a coupon, redeemable for a fun night out, a break from some regular chores or a total day of rest.

• Add an invitation to a special Father's Day family soccer or softball game (or go big and invite neighborhood friends and family to join in the fun).

Even though only 40% of kids surveyed said Dad is not as funny as he thinks he is, their appreciation for his sense of humor appears to grow along with them. Seventy per cent of family members aged 18-34 said that it's very important for Dads to have a sense of humor, compared to 81% of those aged 35-54 and 84% of the 55+ crowd.

Because he's such a wise guy, it's often more comfortable to make Dad laugh than cry, making humor a safer bet for sharing emotions on Father's Day. "A funny card is just one more way to show Dad that you care while having a laugh together," adds Kinnon.

Most men prefer skipping the sentimental cards and going for a lighter, more humorous tone. You can always add a few words to the cards or a special poem to let him know you seriously think he's the best.