Give the gift of love this Father's Day!

(Note: addendum to my wildly popular previous blog post about gifts that the unemployed can give)

My only regret is that this idea did not present itself in time for Mother's Day. Oh well -- you can't win them all. Next year.

Father's Day is coming up, and this year, a lot of you out there probably have dads who are unemployed. It is critical that you show your love and support to Dad during this difficult ordeal of unemployment. Being the loving, wonder son or daughter that you are, you probably want to do something super-special for Pop this year. Here are my thoughts:

Gift Ideas for Unemployed Fathers

• Guns and ammo -- unemployed dads can find all kinds of uses for guns. JUST KIDDING!!! Don't get him a gun. In fact, if he has guns, do him a favor and get rid of them.
• A book about how to write a resume -- no, screw that. The last thing he needs on Father's Day is a reminder of his -- ahem -- situation.

OK, OK, I've had my fun. Here's the real list:

• Feed Dad's dreams -- now that he doesn't have a job, Dad has a lot of time on his hands. Every kid has heard his/her father, in a moment of exasperation, exclaim that he should have done x, y, or z. Maybe he was in a band or he used to sing you songs when you were a young 'un. Get him a new set of drum sticks, some guitar strings, or book him some studio time. Maybe he always wanted to be a great chef -- enroll him in some cooking classes, buy him a rack of spices, or maybe just get him a new cookbook. Maybe he's a simple man who just wanted more time to go fishin'. Well, now he has it. Get him some tackle. Whatever it is, it doesn't have to be expensive; it just has to tell Dad that you love him and appreciate his aspirations beyond earning a paycheck.
• Plan a special outing -- think back to when you were little. What did you and Dad love to do together? Do it again!
• Make a photo album or scrap book -- collect some of those precious old pictures and doo-dads. Put it all together in a nice album and pen a heart-felt inscription for the inside cover. This is a guaranteed show stopper!
• Tell him every day is Father's Day! -- I don't know how, but convey this to him somehow, and he will appreciate it.
• Refer him to SurviveUnemployment.com -- just kiddin', sorta'. But if Dad needs a place to vent, he has a blog here if he wants it. I'll even see what I can do to help him get paid for it.

That's all I can think of for now. Happy Father's Day!

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