Your father isn’t one to embrace new-fangled fashions or contemporary concepts, and some days, you’d swear he takes actual pleasure in embarrassing you and your siblings. But remember, this is the guy who taught you to ride a bike and haggle with a car salesman. The one who selflessly disclosed his top-secret mac and cheese recipe because you wanted to show-off at the company picnic. The guy who taught you more than you wanted to know about lawn-mowing and Murphy’s Law. Don’t you think it’s time to return the favor and teach Dad a few tips of your own?

To help bring him up to speed this Father’s Day, Elfster has a list of free activities to make modernizing Dad fun… He might even thank you for it later!

1. Set up Dad’s Facebook Account (or Revamp the One He Has)

You’ve avoided it long enough. This Father’s Day, take the time to walk Dad through the daunting online profile-building process, and help him send his first friend request. We shouldn’t have to tell you this, but don’t decline Dad when he friends you! The world will not end if your father finds out you like the Stones and not the Beatles (though he  will  be a little disappointed.)

2. Take New Pictures for the Wallet

You’d better believe Dad still carries around your fourth-grade school portrait, and yes, he’s still proud to show it off to the neighbors! Now that the braces have come off, and the overbite corrected, you might consider gifting dad with a more flattering image of yourself to share with his friends. (Just be sure to confiscate the older version.)

3. Introduce Dad to the Wonderful World of YouTube

Spend the afternoon catching your father up on the best viral videos of the past several years. If he’s missed out on this key facet of pop culture over the previous decade, you two will doubtlessly share a few laughs. Plus, Dad will finally understand what’s so funny about a “Double Rainbow”.

4. Help Revamp His Vocab

With a handy cheat sheet of modern day expressions, Dad is sure to pick-up some catchphrases that are a little more current than the preferred “You da man!” Laminate a pocket-sized list of definitions for Pops to use as easy reference.

5. Teach Dad How to Skype

A good old-fashioned phone call will never go out of style. But a simple video conferencing service might make Dad’s timeless words of wisdom a bit easier to convey (with the added benefit of visual demonstration!) Show Dad the ropes on Skype, and enjoy your quality time like never before.

6. Find the Perfect Pair of Jeans

Dads aren’t immune to the dangers of denim. “Mom jeans” certainly have earned a bad rap in the fashion world, but believe it or not, “Dad jeans” are becoming an equally egregious infraction. Since he’d rather not go to the mall on his hard-earned day off, bring the shopping experience to Dad this Father’s Day. Buy a couple of updated jean options for him to try on in the comfort of his own man cave, and let him pick the pair he likes. You can return the rejects.

7. Set up an Elfster account!

Remember the time Dad got you the Air Supply Greatest Hits album for Christmas? Well, it could have been avoided if he only had access to your Elfster wishlist. Give your Father the gift of gifting by taking the guesswork out of future holiday shopping.

Sure. These Father’s Day activities are no substitute for a sweet new pair of socks. And we don’t recommend attempting the entire list in one afternoon. (Dad is pretty cool already, and probably doesn’t need a  complete  overhaul quite yet.) But when used as a supplement to the perfect card-and-gift-combo, you can be sure that trying some of these bonding activities will make for one meaningful day for Dad.

Happy Father’s Day!

Photo credit: Kennymatic , Volantra,  ElvertBarnes

Jade is a well-regarded gemstone in Asian culture. During Chinese New Year, one can find at many businesses jade money trees to ensure wealth (tree) and luck (jade). 

Jade has lived a very long and prosperous life.  This gemstone existed through many Chinese empires and was once so valued, artisans were only able to supply to the demands of emperors and their family members.  Jade’s significance in Asia can be compared to the Western view of gold and diamonds. Today, Jade is still respected, though not as difficult to obtain (unless it is an antique, which can auction for enormous amounts of money). 

Jade symbolizes good and beauty. It was also described from ancient Chinese text to encompass benevolence, loyalty, wisdom, courage and integrity. This jade pendant necklace has the traditional pendant but nicely modernized with a silk cord. A no-brainer gift for someone born in the Year of the Rat (click here for zodiac sign chart). 

Check this out. It’s only $18. Unbelievable deal or what? 

They needed too much attention?  Were too much into themselves?  More attention than one can give? This Vanity Mirror is available at Signals for $50.

Oh My Godiva is right. Not quite Mr. Wonka’s chocolate factory, but a good try by Godiva. During Valentine’s Day, one Godiva Chocolate Gift Box at $23 or higher will contain a "congratulations" ticket for a New York weekend-get-away in this very, very sinful place.

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The lotus bamboo is a nice unexpected change to the more common lucky bamboo in the market. Although appropriate for Chinese New Year, bamboo can be given any time of the year as a token for luck. This Lotus Bamboo is available in a red or black vase for $38 at RedEnvelope.

According to legend, a poor Taiwanese farmer became a wealthy merchant after discovering the money tree. I love this story, though I have a feeling it probably got its name because it is a houseplant that is almost impossible to kill, which is very important for good Feng Shui practice.  The fact they originated from Central and South America kinda gives it away, doesn’t it?

My love for this item is a bit biased. It was one of the products I developed when I was at RedEnvelope. The design for the cachepot was inspired by an antique vase from the Ming dynasty. Four years later, I am still proud of the outcome. This money tree is available from RedEnvelope for $38.

For those who missed sending their corporate gifts to clients during the Holidays, I highly recommend using Lunar New Year as the second opportunity. The money tree makes a perfect business gift. What better message to wish a business than wealth and prosperity?

The money tree is also available in
a bamboo vessel for $38.

The possibility of receiving a gift such as this is the very reason why man invented wish lists. If you *must*, this Oriental Bride Lamp is available from Oriental Furniture for $37. (I’m not kidding. It’s for reals.)

 

The difference between frugal and cheap: Frugal is being price sensitive without being insensitive to the quality of your flower selection. Cheap is being price sensitive without regards to the quality of the flowers. This red roses and Peruvian lilies bouquet is only $27 without the vase and $36 with vase. It does not include carnation fillers, which can easily cheapen the style if not executed well.  Easy choice for under $50.

During Valentine’s Day, the cost of red roses increases as high as 50% to meet the surge in demand. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been slightly turned off by this fact. It is for this reason (and the fact I feel roses can be predictable), I always recommend red tulips as the flowers to send for Valentine’s Day. Red tulips signify “delcaration of love,” so it shouldn’t be taken lightly, if you know what I mean.

Another benefit to tulips is their price. A bouquet of wenty stems from Martha Flowers is $30 and for 30 stems it is $43, which are great prices for such gorgeous blooms.

Daisies stand for innocence, and pink connotates sweetness and friendship. If you don’t want to send message of passion, this bouquet is a safe bet. This bouquet consisting of twenty Gerbera daisies in a vase is available from Martha Flowers for $50.