Something Fun:

Appeal to your dad's inner boyish scamp with "toys" and knick knacks that let him step back from the serious side of life. PerpetualKid.com has a fantastic selection of items that will make him smile, and isn't that the point of showing appreciation for your dad? No one needs a Mooning Gnome, but it's sure to get a rise out of him. The Executive Airzooka for $14.99 will provide hours of childish entertainment, especially as it gets hotter out, and we can't help but giggle at the thought of passing one of these absurd Borrow My Pens, $6.99, to someone at work (an example: "Verdant Fields Nudist Camp -- Get in Touch with Your OUTER Self!"). Also likely to be a hit is this Floating Shooting Gallery -- $29.99 at Macy's -- because the floating ping pong balls and dart gun will divert his attention from work, the garage, the lawn, and monotonous chores & tasks on his to-do list.

Hobby-Related:

You're sure to hit a home run with your gift if you tap into one of Dad's favorite hobbies. Is he a whiz at the Weber grill? Try this Big Fat Ultimate Grill Set for $52.50 (Delight.com), which includes an apron, cookbook, and extra long mitt, so he doesn't graze his arm or singe his eyebrows on the grill. Golfing more his speed? If summer is synonymous with tee time for Dad, then check out this Lacoste Golf Towel, cheap enough ($14.99, Macy's) to buy a couple of them and create your own set. Perhaps throw in some balls and tees as well for your favorite golf fanatic. And finally, unless your dad is one of the few that doesn't enjoy football, this Cooler & Grill Combo ($24.99, Macy's) is a pretty safe bet. The multi-functional tailgating set comes with a small steel grill -- with its own flipper built in! -- that fits inside the soft cooler bag. All that's left to buy is a six-pack of Dad's favorite beer.

Accessories and Gadgets:

Finally, we think many dads -- especially if they harbor dreams of riding off into the sunset in a sports car or motorcycle -- secretly envy the eternally charming and cool James Bond, so anything that might be reminiscent of the suave Brit, from swanky cufflinks to nifty gadgets, are perfect (sorry, no Aston Martin this year for you, Dad). He'll impress the ladies (read: your mother) with this Mikasa Cheers Martini Shaker with Glasses ($49.99, Amazon.com). While he's shaking (not stirring) Bond's favorite libation, he'll flash these classic Capsule Cufflinks ($34, Banana Republic). Should things get rough, he can whip out the BodyGuard Survivor 12 in 1 Emergency Companion ($34.99, Macy's), which features a charger, compass, radio, and more. But to make dad feel truly cool (pun intended), get him the Cool Shooters Shot Glasses Mold ($11, Unica Home), which freezes water into quite sophisticated little glasses for some serious imbibing. Or, go for the genuine article with the James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 1 Box Set ($29.99, Amazon.com).

So save the tie for Christmas, and let dad have fun this Father's Day by giving him something unexpected or particular to his interests.

-- Lindsay Sakraida