Shopping for Dad can be a frustrating experience because it is often hard to think of things he actually might need.  For fathers, perhaps the focus should be on finding gifts that he would find fun or entertaining, rather than attempting to fill a need that likely does not exist.

Given that golf is a hobby shared by legions of dads the world over, a gift certificate for a Sunday out on the links is never a bad idea.

A photo collage featuring images of his children and perhaps even his grandchildren is a wonderful idea for creating a meaningful, personalized gift that any dad would treasure.

Clothing can make a great gift for dads, though it is advisable to steer away from stereotypical purchases such as ties.  Go for something fun and sporty, perhaps gear he can use while pursuing his favorite leisure or recreational activity.

Dinner at an upscale steakhouse is a can’t-miss proposition for just about any dad.  Either accompany him for a fun night out, or present a gift certificate for him to use with the guests of his choice.

Cologne or personal care items can be a welcome and useful gift if chosen with his particular tastes in mind.  Eschew the stale soap on a rope concept in favor of several items from his favorite collection.

A collection of films and recordings from dad’s youth can make for a fun, nostalgic present that is sure to get lots of use.  Presented in an attractive gift basket, this is an idea that is sure to bring back great memories for any father.

To help dad keep from getting lost while taking extended excursions during retirement, perhaps an in-car GPS system would do the trick and make a thoughtful, practical gift.

Dads who love the theater would surely delight in receiving tickets to the latest play or musical to hit town.

A homecooked feast including dad’s favorites is something that can be done on short notice and at relatively low cost, and is something that the entire family can enjoy.

Books are always a perfect gift for dads who love to read and study a particular subject.  If the contents of his library are unknown, a gift card to a major retailer is always a welcome gesture.

Regardless of Dad’s hobbies or tastes, the perfect gift is well within reach at all possible price points.

Fortunately, last minute gifts for Dad can be found online quickly and easily if you’re using the right websites.  As usual, I highly recommend Amazon.com because they provide such a wide variety of options.  Plus, with Amazon you can always check reviews and see what other buyers have said about a product before you buy it.  This is especially important when you’re buying a gift for someone else because you might be purchasing something out of your usual category of interests.

The types of gifts you can buy for fathers are as varied as the interests of men all over the world.  While it may be true that men are interested in the same things, let’s be honest — just because you’re a guy doesn’t mean you like all the same things as the next guy on the block.

Let’s start by tackling the important last minute gifts for Dad you should AVOID:

• Ties
• Golf Accessories
• DVDs

Unless your Pops is in serious need of a new necktie as a gift… unless he is getting very serious about his golfing game… unless he is a DVD collector of some extravagant means, please please please avoid buying these usual gifts.  Since you’re already doing research about finding a great last minute gift for Dad, let’s get serious here and try to put in a bit more effort to find that gift that’s going to really turn his head.

Since women are usually the featured gift recipients, unfortunately men are often overlooked in the gifting department — especially the man of the house.  This is a great opportunity to make Dad feel really special by getting him a gift he’ll never forget.

Let’s consider some questions you should think about before choosing a gift for Papa…

• Has he mentioned anything he would like to have lately?
• What are his lifelong interests?
• What are some of his newer interests?
• Has he lost anything lately that could be replaced?

Sometimes that great gift idea is lurking right under your nose.  Use these questions as a starting point for coming up with ideas to make your gift purchase go as well as you would hope.

Here are some of our recommended last minute gifts for Dad:

Picture Frame
If you have any old or new pics of you and the old man lying around, this could be a great time to frame it up and surprise him.  Or, maybe there’s some other pic he’d like to have framed.  Him and mom from days gone by.  Him in the old Porsche cruising down the canyon road.  Or him as a young boy sporting his stuff.  As long as the pic is special, he’ll love this one.

Grip Master Hand Exerciser
Is your father carrying around lots of tension every day?  This grip master exerciser could be a great way for him to alleviate some of his day-to-day stress and start feeling better.

Family Tent
Does your Dad enjoy gifts for the outdoors?  If so, a new tent for his camping expeditions could be exactly what he needs!  There are tons of options available, so be sure to pick one that fits his style.  Is he a solo camper or more of a family man?  Find the right tent camping gift for your Dad.

Bowflex Treadmill
Is he an exerciser extraordinaire?  Or is he looking to start feeling better and working out more every day?  Consider hooking him up with a treadmill.  This bowflex workout machine is one of the most highly recommended of its kind on the web.

Swiss Army Knife
Maybe you’re looking for something really simple but highly useful.  If so, this swiss army knife could be a great last minute gift for Dad.  Check it out!