Father's Day - A Practical Matter

Dads always seem to be harder to shop for Father’s Day than mothers are for their special day. Probably because mothers are always appreciative of any show of affection, whether it’s a homemade card or refrigerator art, but Dads on the other hand, want the gift to be practical. When my sisters and I were youngsters, we’d save the S&H green stamps from the family’s grocery store purchases, and redeem them every Father’s Day for a wood-working tool. Our father liked making things with wood, so one year it was a circular saw, another year a router, then a jig saw. The first thing Daddy would do with his new tool would be to make a wooden box to store it in. I dare say my father would much rather have had his wood-working tools than a homemade card.

Unless your father has a hobby, it’s difficult to find something that’s useful, but special. There are many interesting collectibles that Dad might enjoy receiving that are practical. A pocket knife like the first one he ever received, an advertising money clip, vintage watch, or a decanter. Even something eclectic like the Budweiser light fixture pictured, or a unique dresser caddy might be appreciated because they’re still useful.

It’s rare, but there are men who collect things. A new customer who collects cigarette lighters dropped in the Spring Antique Mall. He spotted an old cigarette lighter that had the name of his father’s defunct trucking company on it. But wait! There’s more. When the dealer was getting the item out of a locked case for the gentleman, the customer spotted another lighter. The customer, already trying to control his sentiments, became visibly emotional when the dealer handed the second one to him. It had the customer’s name monogrammed on it and the year his grandmother had given it to him for his birthday in 1967. Unfortunately a brother had taken it and pawned it, and the customer thought it was lost for a lifetime. What are the odds that the one person who would have a connection with both lighters, would wander in the door forty-three years later?

But the best gift of all is to spend a day with dad rummaging through an antique mall. For their customer’s convenience, the Spring Antique Mall is open seven days a week: 10-5 Mon thru Fri, 10-6 Saturdays, and 1-6 on Sundays. The Spring Antique Mall is located on the southwest corner of I-45 North and FM 2920 (Exit 70A) in the U-Haul rental and storage center. For more information call 281-355-1110, and also visit www.springantiquemall.com Visit us on Facebook and view the photo album titled “Man Cave” for some gift suggestions, or let us know what you’re trying to find dad for Father’s Day.