Father's Day Gift Ideas for Your Step Father.

Well, if you have not yet figured out the best way to show your love and the true appreciation you have in your heart for your Step-Dad on this Father's Day, you are not alone! I can assure you, I suspect we have a case of last minute gift shoppers in my neck of the wood too!

While every Step-Dad is curiously trying to figure out what his step-children are up to around this Father's Day, let me share with you some thoughts on what may float your Step-Dad's boat this Father's Day. Nothing like hearing from horse's mouth, so listen up!

The Gifts That Your Step Dad Would Not Like

Relax! There is no gift that a Step-Dad would not like receiving from his children on Father's day. It's the thought that counts, and the love that you have in your heart for him that really means the most to him. Really. Trust me on this one!

Yes, I know, I know you are still looking for that brilliant gift idea for your Step Dad.

Here is an idea! Watch Blue's Clues

Well, if you are reading this, I guess it means you are old enough not to rely on Blue's Clues on cartoon network for Father's Day gift ideas.

How About Asking Him?

Better NOT! Asking him something like What do you want for Fathers day? is certainly not a great idea. C'mon, you can do better than that!

How About Asking Your Mom?

Now we are getting somewhere! Of course, she could provide you with a gift idea or two. Nothing wrong in talking this over with your Mom -as long as you do make a genuine effort on your own and do something very special for your Step Dad on this Father's Day.

Now that all these shortcuts are out of question, let us work together on figuring out a great gift idea for your Step-Dad. Here is one of the time-tested, proven way to do it -I know this works because I have successfully relied on this method for years while I was a kid.

Grab a piece of paper and a pencil, and jot down the following details and soon you will have a few cool Father's Day gift ideas:

• Type of music your Stepdad likes,
• Sports your Stem-dad likes,
• Your Step father's hobbies,
• Activities your step dad enjoys doing together with you,
• Activities your stepfather enjoys doing with the entire family,
• Think of the best time you had with your stepfather in past few months/year and jot down thosee activities,
• Look around for photos from any activities (vacation, sports, weekend activity, school activity, home-improvement project, etc.) that you and your Stepdad may have enjoyed doing together. Look for photos in which it looks like he is having a blast! That is your proof positive of what he really likes. Write down those events/activities. Set aside those photos.
• Look around and see if there is something that your Stepdad could use your help with.

I am sure now when you look at that piece of paper, you will probably notice it is all over the lot! You are probably asking yourself - How am I going to pick out a Father's Day gift for my Stepdad using this list?

Well, the purpose of the above exercise is not to come up with a gift for your stepdad, but to come up with a plan for the entire day of Father's Day celebration.

So, let us now use the above list to (a) pick a gift item that you can giftwrap (b) pick an activity that You are going to enjoy with your Step Father on Father's Day, (c) Pick a family activity for everyone in your family to enjoy on that special day, (d) create a "Father's Day Gift Certificate" that involves you helping him out with something that he could use your help with, and (e) Create a special photographic memory. Of course, it is not necessary that you do all of the above -these are just a few creative Father's Day gift ideas for you to consider.

Here is how to make use of the above list, and come up with a winning plan:

• From the above list, pick an item that he could use your help with, and create a *Fathers Day Gift Certificate" that entitles him to your help for that task/item. Don’t go overboard -promise help with something that you can handle. If you are a creative type, you can handcraft the Gift Certificate for your Step Dad. If you are not so inclined to creative arts, get help from your Mom or someone else because simply writing this down on a tiny Post-it Note is usually not such a great idea
• Pick a sports or outdoors activity that he likes, and consider spending sometime with him enjoying the same -it could be as simple as watching a game on TV with him, or going outdoors...
• Consider buying him a Music CD, a DVD, or an audiocassette. Alternatively, you could consider downloading a few MP3s for him and burning him a special CD containing his favorite songs/music -only legal downloads, of course! Don't forget to sign the CD cover, and leave a "Thank You" note on the CD label insert.
• Remember those photos that you looked at? Well, it is now time to pick a couple of good photos from the memorable and funfilled events or photos from a family, school, or a social event. If you have a scanner attached to your computer, you can scan them. If you don't have one, or if you are not that comfortable with it, you can have one of your friends help you with that. Scan a few pictures, and then using one of the many graphics programs available on most home computers these days, you can combine those pictures and make your own picture-combo. If needed, do not hesitate to ask for help from your Mom, or from someone at school.

  If you are unable to do this using a computer, consider this shortcut: Take your photos to the nearest express photo center (at your nearest pharmacy, or a supermarket) and use their express photo kiosk. Most photo kiosks have a scanner attached to it. Arrange your photos the way you want, scan it, and take a printout. Don't forget to get everyone in your family to sign it before you frame it or simply gift-wrap it.

Plan a whole day of activity, and give him one gift at a time -one in the morning after you treat him with a nice breakfast, one around lunch time, another item following an afternoon of funfilled activity, and the last one around/after dinner time. Doing this will make for a whole day of Father’s Day celebration that your Stepdad will remember for a long time.

Remember, your Step Dad is not simply looking for gifts that are elaborate or expensive. They could be simple, handmade, or even inexpensive cards and/or handwritten "Thank You" notes. The best Father's Dad gift that you may be able to give him would probably involve you spending some quality time with him, and letting him know you truly appreciate him for everything that he does for you and the entire family.