Father's Day - A Gift That Lasts All Year

This year, Father's Day in Australia is on Sunday 4 September 2011. So its time to start looking for a great father's day gift for your dad or even  for yourself. Over the next few days we'll be bringing you the best ideas and products for gifts for Aussie dads.
If you have a "hard to buy for dad", a magazine subscription is always a great choice. He'll be remindered of what a good son you are each month when his next subscription arives.


As far as Australian father's day gift ideas go, a specialist magazine specifically to his own interest is a real option. Whether it is an Australian dirt biking magazine, a gardening magazine, an Australian magazine about dogs or a gardening magazine, your dad will love a father's day gift that recognises his interests.

There are heaps of specialist magazines online to subscribe too. Some of our favourites come from  Australia's Universal Magazines including Road Rider Magazine, Dirt Action, Good Gardening, Outdoor Design and Living just to name a few. Even Dog's Life!

For your change to win your dad a year's subscription to one of their great Aussie magazines, simply send us your email address using the below form before Midnight, August 13 and go in the draw. The winner will be drawn at random from all valid entries and we'll contact the winner  to get his details.

Name:


Email:

(*we will not spam you or sell your details.)
Dad Rating

Mark
Get the man what he wants.

Simon
This is the sort of father's day gift I would want to receive.

On the walls

For better or worse, the modern dad also has a roll to play in the home's interior design, and while for some of us, that extends only to hanging a framed Wallabies jersey "in the pool room", for others, it extends to all the walls of the house.

We recently saw a great product which can be customized for you, your kids or your wife or anyone else you can think of. Called Life Scrolls, and made  in Cootamundra in country NSW, and available as a poster or framed print, simply let Jodie know what you want to say, or if you need help, she has heaps of great ideas and suggestions.

Surprisingly affordable (A2 Posters start at $40 and 12" x 18" framed canvas from $79 plus P&H) and delivered in just a few days anywhere in Australia, you will certainly be top dad (husband or son) if you give someone you love such a thoughtful gift.

For more information, contact Jodie at lifescrolls@gmail.com or visit her LifeScrolls Facebook Page.

Still on walls, another great product that we're seeing around are wall decals and the pick seems to be the Australian made ones from Wall Allure .

Wall Allure has a  great range of wall decals made right here in Australia, they are continiously releasing new designs and there is bound to be something that will suit your home.

We particularly liked the Photo Frame Decals. These antique style frames can be used in different ways. For example you can use just one on it's own on the fridge or a collection of them on a wall. Best of all, they are non-permanent, easy to remove and non-wall damaging.

Prices start from just $24.95 for a two pack. You can purchase Wall Allure wall decals online or see the website for stockists.

Dad Rating

Stevo
Modern and stylish these would suit the walls of any contempary home.

Mark
 Either will make a perfect mother's day gift.

FlipFold

We've found a cool gimmick which we just love so much we had to share.







We've tried the FlipFOLD ourselves and it is as easy to use as in the video. This great folding tool is now available in Australia at Green Apple Organising.

The FlipFOLD which is frequently featured on The Big Bang Theory and used by Sheldon, one of the main characters.

The FlipFold is lightweight and easy-to-use tool which really does make folding clothing quicker, easier and neater

FlipFOLD is available in two sizes to accommodate everything from children’s tops through to long sleeve business shirts.

The FlipFOLD is priced at AUD$44.99 for the Adult and AUD$42.99 for the Junior with a Combo of both sizes available for AUD$84.99 plus postage.

Buy the Flip Fold online at Green Apple Organising.


Dad Rating

Mike
A bit of a gimmick but so much fun

Stevo
I love it. Perfect for packing your gear for trips.

Belkin iPod and iPad Accessories

Some of us dads love having the latest technology - most of us get it when everyone else has it and we are feeling left behind. This means that (a) most of us have an iPod (b) some of us have an iPhone (c) a couple of us have iPads.

One thing we all know though is that once you've forked out the how ever much for the iWhatever, the first think you need to do is go out and get yourself a good case. One that's not going to interfer with your use of the iThing, is going to be comfortable in your hands, and is going to protect it when you (or the kids) drop it on the floor.

We've tried a few covers and cases, but we all agree that the Belkin Grip Vue range is the way to go. These translucent cases provide durable protection and "grip-ability" for your iPad, iPhone or iPod.

Other features include:

• Translucent case provides durable protection and enhanced grip-ability
• Made with impact-resistant TPU material
• Allow your iPad to charge while in the case
• Colours: Blue, Clear, Royal Purple, and Black
Grip Vue for iPads start at  RRP: $39.95. Visit http://www.belkin.com/ for more info.

Dad Rating

Mike
Hard wearing and worth the money
Stevo
Protect the iStuff you spent so much money on

Clongs BBQ Tongs

We Dads are getting ready for the obligatory Australia Day BBQ and one of the things we've got our hands on is a new pair of barbeque tongs called Clongs.

Made from lightweight stainless steel, these click-lock sit up tongs have swiss-tested silicone tips, which means Dad can use them on any surface - from a barbecue to a non-stick pan.

They also have an interesting bend in the handle that lifts the tips away from the benchtop, keeping everything clean which is a feature we really like.

Best of all, unlike other tongs, Clongs click open AND shut with just the click of a button - so you can use just one hand to operate and keep the other free to add ingredients or even hold a well-earned drink.

Clongs are available in red and black, with 9" (RRP $24.95) and 12" (RRP $29.95) models.
Visit Dreamfarm for stockists

Dad Rating

Stevo
The off the counter feature is great

MattEasy to use one handed.

Wheelie Designs - Bin Stickers

A few of us have just got the great wheelie bin stickers from Wheelie Designs and we love 'em.  Simply slap these Australian designed high quality stickers on your wheelie bin and shout out your support for your footy team, hobby or just get one of the colourful designs to brighten up the bin area. There is even an Aussie Flag bin sticker ideal for Australia Day.

With a huge number of bins stolen each year, Wheelie Designs bin stickers also have practical applications. Swapping and theft is greatly discouraged when bins become recognisable and if you want you can get custom stickers including your steet number.

There is even an option to use these cool Aussie bin stickers as a fund raiser for your school or club which we really like.

For Australia Day we recommend the Aussie Flag bin sticker, and the cricket stump sticker. What better way to enjoy Australia day then with a bit of patriotism and backyard cricket!

Starting at 29.95 for 120L size and $34.95 for the 240L size, these Australian bin stickers make a great gift. Check out the full range and order online at http://www.wheeliedesigns.com.au/



Dad Rating

Mike
Spruce up the bins and have fun too!

Mark
Cricket stumps on the bin - an Aussie classic!