Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for December 21, 2024

Not exactly up there with your Mother’s Wilma necklace but, yes, Fathers are most always the worst to shop for. If there was something we liked we would most likely have two of them already, or even a third one we forgot about.

It was something useful.

A little something from Frederick’s of Hollywood always brought a smile to daddy’s face.

My Dad was a “tool guy” and also a tightwad. This is the perfect combination if you’re looking for a gift for someone: They will always have need of some $5 “specialty” item that they simply refuse to purchase because they managed to “make their own.” While they are proud of their creation, in most cases they will happily abandon their cobbled-together substitute in favor of the proper tool. (This isn’t ALWAYS the case but odds are better than average.)

Of course, I inherited both his “tool guy” and “tightwad” traits – but being an only child, I also inherited all of his tools. So my kids sometimes struggle – since I’m already LOADED with all those tools I bought him over the years in addition to my own.

The point is, dad would hug you a ‘thank you’ no matter what you gave him ;)

I love this story arc! It reminds me of Bill Griffith’s great work when he writes / draws his childhood and early years in New York. Excellent.

There are always a few books I’d like…

I have two friends that I give supermarket gift cards to as I know they eat.

My father was impossible. What do you get the man who wants nothing? One year, I finally asked him: “What should I get you?” Him: “You know what? I could use a new wallet.” So I got him a wallet.

Christmas morning: “Thank you! Wait a minute… is this real leather? … How much did you spend?”

The man was impossible.

The hug reminds me…“It’s not the gift that matters; it’s the thought that counts”.

Socks were always great for me as a Dad. Thank you kiddos. Or a can of the coffee I preferred. I was easy as pie to shop for

All you have to do is buy me a fishing lure with a bill on it. It will sit on the kitchen island all winter long bringing a smile to my face in anticipation of using it when Spring arrives each time I see it :0)

This is not a short story.

The gift that makes the most sense to Dads would be a gift certificate to the grocery store. Dads like to eat too.

This is going to sound strange, but I think dad’s are kinda like a seat belt. They are always there, you don’t think about them much, but when it hits the fan, boy are you glad you have him.

My favorite memory of my dad was when me and my brother were about 7 or 8 we went fishing with the family in a local river. We got bored and wandered off. My brother stepped into a wasp’s next in an old log. Dad heard us yelling and came rushing up. He told us to run to the car and he stood there to attract the wasps so we could get away. When he came running up to the car he was covered in stings.

Even now some 63 some years later (I’m 71) I still get choked up thinking about it.

One funny thing about that, is when we got home my mom covered him in Calamine Lotion, head, hands (he covered his face with his hands) arms. For the young people here Calamine Lotion is Pink. We were all very concerned but had to laugh at our now pink dad.

My father was always happy with a gift of pipe tobacco or cigars.

Dads ARE tough to buy for. I know, I am one. Haven’t gotten a gift from my daughter in years. After shave, something for a hobby or a sports activity such as golf balls if he is a golfer, a new carving knife if he’s into woodcarving or whatever could be good. A sports team logo apparel is also good. However, my best suggestion would be to take your Dad alone out to lunch at his favorite restaurant, just you and him and have a good visit. Anyway, it’s what I would like……

Ah yes – Underwear. I always took that as a challenge too. It wasn’t so much the underwear but the presentation of the gift. Once I wrapped a remote control with instructions. When my dad finally figured it out a robot came around the corner wearing his boxers that were his actual present. The robot was a gift I gave to myself.

No joke – one year I got my Dad a toilet seat for Christmas. He got the biggest kick out of that.

Arlo’s father showed some real class!

A child giving a parent underwear ??? That sounds creepy to me!

The bane of my existence is getting socks for Christmas. I got 15 pairs from ONE person one year. And each year I get at least 4 more pairs. Seriously folks, how about mittens one year????

Nothing more practical than underwear!

What women and girls don’t understand is this: The gift that any woman can give the man she loves is children. At least one. So, on birthdays, Christmas, any gift giving day, a man already has every gift that he would ever want. He has his wife and children. Everything else is meaningless.So, if a woman wants to give her man a gift that he really wants, she will wake him up wearing only a ribbon and bow. What better gift is there?

Someone’s cutting onions AGAIN.