How to find the perfect gift for dad

Need the perfect gift for the special dad in your life? You could go the gift card route, but if you want to pursue the perfect "Wowsers, that's perfect!" moment, you need to dig deep into his 'Dad psyche'.

How does your special guy like to see himself? The right gift will address his self-identity, and the best part is, you can find it at a whole range of prices, from recession-savvy "saves" to bigger ticket "splurges."

The active dad
What makes him tick: He sees himself as someone on his feet and on the go, whether he's coaching soccer, building a deck in the backyard, or hiking in the woods on the weekend.

What to get: Gear that caters to his active lifestyle.

• Mark’s Work Wearhouse has new-and-improved driWear tees and polo shirts. These soft, breathable summer shirts offer athletic-clothing-style moisture wicking technology, minus the shiny finish of workout shirts – perfect for when he's on the move. $29.99-$49.99, marks.com.

• A classic Swiss Army knife is always useful. Match his office-to-hills personality with a Swissflash style that includes a built-in USB stick (available from 1 GB to 16 GB). From $40, see swissarmy.com for retailers.

• Outdoors Canada will give him hours of enjoyment as he soaks up the latest and greatest news on alfresco adventure. $19.95 for a one-year subscription.

The creative dad
What makes him tick: He retreats inside his head to relax and recharge. He likes to read, write or sketch, jot down thoughts or musical compositions, whether among his family or when hanging out alone in his office or studio.

What to get: Something that caters to his love of self-reflection.

• Moleskine have been the go-to makers of notebooks, diaries, sketchpads and planners for creative types from Vincent Van Gogh to Hemingway. Moleskine.com has a great interactive website and online community, and you can find select notebooks at chapters.indigo.ca or your local book store or art supply shop, from approximately $15 and up.

• Creative dads will be charmed by the abstract aspect of these shadow silhouette pictures. You pick the background colour, poses and number of kids in each picture, and personalize the names. Just frame it and he's got the perfect artwork for his office. $26, chloeinstyle.com.

• Does he love getting his hands dirty in the garden or the workshop? He'll find inspiration in Canadian Gardening or Canadian Home Workshop magazines. $22.95 and $28.52, respectively, for a one-year subscription.

Page 1 of 3 – more great gift ideas on page 2!

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