Step away from the hedge clipper display!
Pop doesn't want 'em, no matter how sharp the blades are or how super shiny the packaging. Same goes for screwdrivers, power mowers, etc., according to Giftagram.com's new "Meet the Modern Dad" project. Its research revealed what gifts dads get most often on Father's Day (Special outings, clothing). And then what they actually want to receive.
Tools, the ultimate Father’s Day go-to gift since the original Caveman Dad received a home rock repair kit, came in dead last in the latter category, at 13 percent.
Even worse, "homemade" things came in second-to-last.
Oh, 25 percent of guys do actually want one of those lumpy mounds of clay their kid poked a few fingerholes in and declared a cufflink holder or paperweight. But we’re betting their moppets are all under the age of five.
Somewhat surprisingly, gift cards were what dads wanted most. Or maybe it's not all that surprising, as the "Modern Dad" study turned up some interesting insights about how much fathers shop with mobile devices. They're twice as likely as mothers to use them to buy gifts and to spend at least $500 in one mobile shopping outing.
It must be pointed out that Giftagram has a rooting interest here. It's in the business of sending gifts in seconds from iPhone and Android devices, after all. Still, the project — a followup to its recent, equally fascinating "Meet the Millennial Mom" project — is based on studies and research from the likes of Boston College, Google, Fortune and the National Retail Foundation. And some of what it points up about "modern" dads — Millennials in particular — is quite intriguing.
Millennial dads feel a lot of pressure — some of it self-imposed, perhaps. One in three new dads reported feeling "overwhelmed." Meanwhile, nine in 10 Millennial dads thought it was important to try and be the "Perfect Dad." That's even more than their female counterparts, with eight in 10 feeling the need to be "Perfect Moms."
It turns out they put emphasis on different things in their pursuit of perfection, though. With mothers, the biggest effort by far (77 percent) goes toward balancing personal and family time. With would-be perfect pops, it’s pretty much a neck-and-neck race between “being organized” and exercising.
Whoa. No wonder they feel so overwhelmed.
So how’s about we all give Dad a break this Father’s Day?
But definitely … no hedge clippers.
More: Five free things for dad for Father's Day in Atlanta
