Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts

DNA11 Gift Kit

A DNA portrait is a great way to thank your dad for passing on the traits of his that you’re happy to have. You can buy a gift kit in specialty stores that includes directions and a sterile swab to take cell samples from the inside of his cheek, or you can get an instant gift certificate online. All he has to do is choose the kind of portrait he wants and send off his cells by mail.

Price: The smallest DNA portrait costs $199, or you can order a gift certificate online for $50 or more.

Photo Credit: dna11.com

Garmin-Asus Garminfone

GPS on a cell phone can often be inaccurate, giving you an estimate of where you are within thousands of feet, but Garmin knows GPS, and T-Mobile (Stock Quote: DT) customers can finally get accurate GPS readings on a phone. Plus it’s an Android phone, which gives dad access to thousands of apps, and it offers voice and on-screen guided navigation, real-time traffic information and more. The best part is that if you sign up for a family plan this Saturday, T-Mobile will throw in the phone for free.

Price: Free or $199.99 after this Saturday at T-Mobile stores.

Photo Credit: garminasus.com

Stirling Engine by Thames and Kosmos

Father-son or father-daughter projects mean bonding time with Dad, and science lovers and the eco-friendly might love this Stirling Engine kit.

The Stirling engine, which runs on solar energy, was developed by Robert Stirling nearly 200 years ago. The sun rays go to a generator that juices up a rechargeable battery used to power the car.

Price: $199.99 at various hobby stores. To find one near you, visit thamesandkosmos.com.

Photo Credit: thamesandkosmos.com

CuisinArt Griddler Grill Centro

Apartment-dwelling lovers of grilled meats and veggies can still grill at home with the CuisinArt Griddler Grill Centro. The top rack holds a reversible, nonstick griddle grill and the bottom part is for skewered kababs that rotate automatically for even heating. So forget about your old George Foreman Grill.

Price: About $129.99 at JC Penney (Stock Quote: JCP) and Macy’s (Stock Quote: M).

Photo Credit: jcpenney.com

A Retro Style Radio

If your father is a fan of old automobiles, the Crosley Corsair Alarm Clock Radio has that ‘50s look combined with today’s technology. It’s a radio, CD player and alarm clock with two independent alarms in case mom and dad wake up in the morning at different times.

Price: $79.95 at Brookstone.

Photo Credit: brookstone.com

Equus Car Diagnostic Tools

Dads who have a car that was made in 1996 or later can use the Equus 3100 Innova CanOBD2 Diagnostic Tool to diagnose a problem when the “check engine” or other light goes on. Readings are updated every 30 seconds when the device is plugged in, and it can help you confirm that any problems have definitely been fixed. Equus gadgets can even estimate how much any problem will cost to have repaired depending on where you live.

Price: $74 at Wal-Mart (Stock Quote: WMT).

Photo Credit: Equus

Leatherman Skeletool

A Leatherman is a classic and beloved tool that dad could probably use, and this one is a sleeker-looking update to the old classic. It’s made of stainless steel that has been treated for hardness, it’s fairly lightweight and includes needle-nose and regular pliers, a wire cutter, a bottle opener, four Phillips and flathead bits and a universal bit driver.

Price: $69.95 at department stores as well as retailers selling outdoor goods and sports equipment including REI.

Photo Credit: Leatherman

Powermat 2X Wireless Charger

If your father is a gadget lover, this wireless charger for handheld devices will surely help reduce the clutter of wires around the house. Just plug in the mat, put Powermat receiver cases on your iPhone or iPod touch, for instance, and he can just put the gadget on the mat without having to fuss with any wires.

Price: About $59.99 at Staples (Stock Quote: SPLS) and other office supply stores.

Photo Credit:powermat.com

Laptop Desk

Hunching over a laptop while sitting on the couch is no good for dad’s back, and a laptop desk can help him sit properly to avoid back pain while continuing to play solitaire or type away without sitting at a desk.

Price: $39.95 at Brookstone.

Photo Credit: brookstone.com

Single-Malt Scotch

The Glenlivet is a favorite among Scotch lovers – it’s one of the most popular brands – and if your dad enjoys the taste of a single-malt now and then, a bottle of this is likely to be a welcome gift.

Price: About $35 for Glenlivet 12-Year Scotch Whisky.

Photo Credit: theglenlivet.com

Rechargeable Batteries

Plenty of household gadgets require batteries, but traditional ones can be a waste of money and bad for the environment.  Rechargeable batteries save money and space, and Energizer makes a family-sized rechargeable battery charger that holds up to eight batteries.

Price: $20.99 for a family-sized charger and $11.99 for a four-pack of rechargeable AA batteries at Kmart (Stock Quote: SHLD).

Photo Credit: Energizer

Beer Holster

Running a backyard barbecue can make a person feel like they need more than two hands, but this beer holster allows easy, quick-draw access to a bottle of beer while dad’s flipping burgers.

Price: Varies at select liquor stores and home brewing supply shops, or $29.95 online at redenvelope.com if dad doesn’t mind his gift being late.

Photo Credit: Thirteen of Clubs

Motorized Grill Cleaning Brush

Innovative products sold at Brookstone stores can be hit-or-miss, but for dads who like to grill but don’t like to clean, this motorized grill-cleaning brush might just be the perfect gift.  With the push of a button, its brass brushes rotate to help scrub through burnt-on remnants of barbecue goodness.

Price: $16 at Brookstone.

Photo Credit: brookstone.com

Grill Basket

To avoid that charred-meat mess in the first place, however, a grill basket is a must-have. Just place your burgers and other goodies for the grill in the basket and close it, and when one side is done you can just flip the whole thing over.

Price: $10 at Wal-Mart.

Photo Credit: Walmart.com

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Photo Credit: lawtonchiles