Father's Day Provides Annual Gift-giving Quandary

You saw the headline and thought, "Great. Someone with some real Father's Day ideas!" Perhaps you should be prepared to be disappointed.

Truth is, most fathers don't want much for Father's Day, if anything at all. A "no gifts allowed" policy is not a bad idea. Marietta Patch's father mostly wanted a buddy to watch sports with and maybe play catch for an hour or so or hit some kind of ball, tennis, football or baseball or otherwise.

Marietta Patch's daughter probably gets tired of hearing this answer to her queries: "Nothing. Well, how about just be a great kid."

That should be enough, right?

But that doesn't really help, does it? So here are a few suggestions:

1. Do a bunch of chores around the house, particular if your dad usually completes them. Mow the lawn, wash the car, clean the garage. Do it without asking or without expectations of money or huge praise. Just do it.

2. Take him to his favorite amusement park. The key here is, you make the arrangements. All of them including whether to eat the hot dogs and funnel cakes in the park or grab lunch somewhere else. Make him think as little as possible so he can enjoy every second of the visit.

3. Treat him to a sporting event. The Atlanta Braves are running hot right now, and, yes, they have a home game on Sunday against the Texas Rangers.

4. Leave him alone. Let him watch television or hang around the house or go off with his guy friends. Don't nag him or pester him. Let him enjoy a stress-free day.

5. Just be a good kid.