Socks, watches, T-shirts, ties: tell me you’re not guilty of wrapping one of these gifts at the last minute for Father’s Day. Holidays just slip away from you, right? You care a lot about your father and would like to honor him on his special day. Although you have many options, these choices can become overwhelming and before you know it, you’re buying yourself another red and blue striped tie. He’s nice, and he likes it, but he’s not unique. For a more unique gift, why not try buying him a Father’s Day gift basket? Here are some things to consider before and during the gift basket shopping process to end up with the perfect gift for dad.

Why a Father’s Day Gift Basket?

Gift baskets in general are a good gift for anyone. With multiple gifts in one place, they make every holiday and special occasion like Christmas. Gift baskets for men vary widely. Most, honestly, even if they’re geared towards men, don’t deviate from the contents of the “usual” basket, with teddy bears and snack-sized treats. While some men will love these slippers, others will appreciate a more “manly” gift. The slippers come themed and are assembled and wrapped in an attractive way. Most of the time, you can include a personalized note to the recipient.

Your budget for a Father’s Day gift

Deciding on a budget for your Father’s Day gift is the most important preparatory step in your gift-hunting journey. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get excited and carried away once you start looking, and before you know it, you’re spending a fortune. His goal is to find something special for his father, not break his (if he’s like me) already broken bank account. That won’t help anyone. To avoid this, write down a price range that fits your overall budget and stay within this range.

Unique gift baskets can range in price from $10 to around $200 (with a few exceptions), so compared to an iPad or flat-screen TV, this is a much more affordable option.

Brainstorm ideas for a unique and perfect gift basket

I’m sure you’re familiar with the saying, “It’s the thought that counts.” It is often used as a consolation for someone who did not choose the right gift. However, if you just give the present a little thought before you buy it, you can avoid the dreaded statement altogether.

Take a sheet of paper and write down as many details as you can think of in a minute about your father. Use these questions as a guide:

• What is your job?
• Which are your hobbies?
• His likes and dislikes?
• That annoys?
• What do you complain about?
• How do you relax?
• What are your favorite foods and drinks?

Once you’ve mastered these elements, certain themes will start to get noticed.

Choosing the right gift

Here it is where it gets interesting. Gift baskets for men come in different themes, including sports (golf, football, baseball, etc.), fishing, games, and tools. General baskets also have specific gourmet themes including coffee, tea, chocolate, and cheese, so those are always an option as well.

Now it all comes down to finding a basket that fits your and your dad’s budget. Places like Amazon have millions and thousands of unique gift baskets from hundreds of different merchants. Start your shopping early and you should be in for a Father’s Day gift that will really please Dad.