No Bows Required!

Men are supposed to be tough; stoic. Never will they let you see them shed a sentimental tear at a sad movie, or get sappy over a holiday toast. They also feel the compelling need to fix everything, think tools are romantic gifts, and refuse to ask for directions, even when completely lost. Ah….men; a strange and wonderful species unique in the wild!

Yet something happens to this able-bodied and robust gender when they finally have children; they suddenly become tender and ease up. In fact, most fathers have quite a huge soft spot specifically for their children. Men may be “big and strong”, but Dads are soft and fluffy…just don’t tell them we know it. And now that Father’s Day is rolling around, you want to give him something that tells him how much you appreciate the rock he’s always been for your family, but you don’t want to upset his rugged male sensibilities with too much sappiness.

And so what do you give the big ole teddy bear to show him you love him, without insulting his sheer manliness?  Flowers and chocolates are not going to have the same effect they have on mom! And he’s already got four “World’s Best Dad” mugs collecting dust in the cabinet. Photos are always sentimental gifts, but he’s not your grandmother; cheesy frames on mantels and even the leather-covered photo albums are still a wee feminine. My go-to gift of this past year has been the GPS; but in this case, forget it—that is as good as telling him he doesn’t know which way he’s headed. (And we wouldn’t want to disturb his “short-cuts” past all his favorite fishing spots.) Golf items? Maybe just a bit too cliché for 2010. So what do you give Dad, that will keep his manhood intake, while still letting him be a proud papa?

Give him a Mixbook! Load it will pictures of family; kids, grandkids, and all the best moments captured on camera at the touch of his fingers. Mixbook will allow him to be sentimental from his desk on the DL; he can mix his love of technology with his love of his family. And with Mixbook, he’s allowed to be in control; he can upload new photos as they are taken, mess with fonts and backgrounds, and customize his book specifically to his manly taste and style. Mixbook allows you to edit, integrate, and create. Just tell him it’s called “Manbook” and he’ll be on board! Mixbook.com is a clever, creative, and unique approach to interactive giving for the whole family. Visit coupon-gurus.com to see what great savings and coupons they are offering for this Father’s Day before you buy.

And the manliest part of all? No bows required!