Father's Day DVDs: Avoid These Gift Gaffes

DVDs are to Father's Day as scarves are to Mother's Day.

Father's Day gift logic, properly expressed, goes something like this:

"No self-respecting father can resist a DVD. It doesn't even have to be one of their favourites. In fact, virtually any moving image will do..."

How this mantra came about, however, is anybody's guess since many fathers can follow dual storylines and read subtitles. Some even enjoy it.

Come Father's Day, it's not unknown for Dads fearing the worst to pre-empt any dire DVD presents by hiding/destroying the home DVD player.

Gift Gaffes

Want to avoid gift gaffes? Here are five tips:

1. Nobody likes films that have, or should be, screened by Channel 5.


2. Ironic choices are funny for the buyer, slightly depressing for the receiver.


3. If it's in the sale in a supermarket, a) he knows it was in the sale in a supermarket and you look too tight to take the hit for a full-price DVD and b) it's probably rubbish.
4. Nothing with Richard Gere in it. Ever.

5. Let him choose

If you really want to impress a DVD-loving Dad this weekend, though, you could do a lot worse a Father's Day giftbox deal from Lovefilm.

For the not-too-drastic price of £16, you can let Dadums choose two films per month over four months and Lovefilm will throw in a £10 Amazon voucher too.

Sold! Take me to the Lovefilm site

Those with higher levels of cash/ parental love can spend £34 or more on a DVD gift subscription and see their gift subscription sent out in a special matte-finished box together with a choice of DVD or the LOVEFiLM "1000 Films to change your life" book.

A personalised message also fits snugly inside to ensure you get full credit for your thoughtfulness.

If you and your father share taste in film, why not go the whole hog and take out an unlimited subscription for a year, priced at a very reasonable £128?

There are a total of 16 different Lovefilm DVD gift subscription options, all of which entitle you to also receive a covert £10 Amazon.co.uk gift certificate.

More DVD Rental Gifts

Unsurprisingly, Blockbuster is also on the gift subscription bandwagon. Their offer starts from £25 and will allow Dad to get one DVD at a time over three months. Your money will also ensure he receives a movie-themed card in the post.

As well as the three month option, Blockbuster also sells six and twelve month subscriptions though these, obviously, cost more. All options allow unlimited rental within the allotted time, provided any forgetful fathers ensure that the previous DVD is returned first.

Cultured fathers, though not necessarily of the bacterial variety, may appreciate a gift subscription from indie supremos, Cinema Paradiso. You might appreciate it too considering that prices start from only £5.99.

Cinema Paradiso cater for the last-minuters out there who may have left the gift buying process a little late by enabling the gift card can be emailed to the recipient as well as snail-mailed.

There are a somewhat dizzying 36 different subscription options available. These cover from one to 12 months and, depending on how much you spend, can provide capped or unlimited rental.

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