What Every Father Wants

Father's Day is just around the corner, and here are a few things to consider if you are stuck for gift ideas for the man of the house.

A big round of applause please for Sonora Smart Dodd who was responsible for founding Father's Day. Apparently, Dodd was listening to a Mothering Sunday sermon at her local church and thought to herself that fathers should have their special day of recognition, too.

Now cynics may say that Father's Day is just another cunning ploy by retailers to get us to part with our money, and they are absolutely right. Father's Day would have foundered if not for the American Menswear Retailers of New York who set up a council in 1938 to promote the occasion. So it is thanks also to American retailers that we have Father's Day.

But while the idea of celebrating Father's Day may be fun, the same can't be said of finding suitable presents. So, why not just crack open a bottle of wine with dad and mull over what other children may be buying for their fathers. Who knows, you may even unearth a share or two to pep up your portfolios. Here are a few to start you off.

Now chocolates have always been a good standby on Father's Day, and Cadbury Schweppes (LSE: CBRY) even has an online gift shop cadburygiftdirect dedicated for the occasion. The company is one of Britain's biggest confectioners, and its recent acquisition of Green & Black has provided it with a welcome ethical hue. Earlier this month, the company said it expects to deliver strong revenue growth, though it admitted that margins may not improve in the first half because of higher energy costs. At a valuation of 14 times earnings, Cadbury Schweppes shares are reasonably priced too, though its 5kg Dairy Milk bar at £28.50 may cause a few eyebrows to be raised.

If dad doesn't already have digital television, then BSkyB (LSE: BSY) may have just the thing. A one-year subscription will cost £149 and that includes equipment, standard installation plus a choice of two entertainment mixes. What's more if dad hasn't already watched enough football then he can even add sports channels for an extra monthly fee. Last month, BSkyB announced record operating profits, and said it continued to grow its customer base. BSkyB is currently valued at 16 times earnings, which doesn't look too expensive for a company that may capitalise when British television goes digital from 2008.

Finally, show me a dad who has a driving licence and I'll show you an unpaid chauffeur. But for less than £160 dads need never get lost or stuck in traffic jams with a satellite navigation system. Earlier this month, Halfords (LSE: HFD) said demand for in-car technology, which included satellite navigation, helped to boost sales over Christmas. Other useful retailers for sat nav equipment include Currys, Dixons and The Link, which are owned by DSG International (LSE: DSGI), and Carphone Warehouse (LSE: CPW).

There we have it, a few ideas for Father's Day. And as a parting thought, remember that whatever you get your dad will always be what he wants. Or as Bill Cosby once said, "Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." I'm currently on my sixth bar, but maybe this year I'll get a pair of novelty socks for a change!