DADS. They're funny things. Can't live with them, can't live without them.

When you're young, dad's the centre of your universe. You want to sit on his lap and you clamour constantly for his attention.

As you get older, you want to sit as far away as possible from him when your friends are around - and the only thing you clamour for is his money!

But we love 'em really! And this Sunday, June 17, being Father's Day, is a chance to show it.

Nowadays, Father's Day is always the third Sunday of June, but it wasn't always so.

In fact, the tradition of Father's Day, which has few ancient roots, came into being in the early part of this century - and it all happened in the United States.

According to American folklore, in 1910 a Washington woman, Mrs J B Dodd, invited her priest to give a sermon on the value of fathers, her own having raised six children after the death of their mother.

Shortly afterwards, her wish for a permanent day to be set aside became reality, when President Woodrow Wilson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.

In 1941, the US Father's Day Committee (yes, there is one!) tried to find a painting that portrayed a sympathetic image of the perfect dad. Despite examining more than 30,000 works of art, they decided none were quite right. The father had been completely overlooked when it came to great works of art!

During the latter part of last century, fathers started to take on a much more hands-on role with their offspring, and nowadays fathers administer all the qualities more traditionally associated with mothers - sympathy, understanding, tenderness.

It is no longer surprising to find them cooking, cleaning, changing nappies and staying up all night with sick children - even if they are at work the next day.

So why not reward him with a gift that shows you care? Here are just some of the Father's Day gift ideas that have crossed the Counterpoints desk.

6Football crazy:

A great gift idea from Sainsbury's is the business card holder for dad's desk that has a miniature table football game on top. It's a mini-version of the real game on top of a card holder designed to look like a filing cabinet. At £9.99 it's a top gift for busy dads.

6Smoothie:

Swiss watch-maker Tissot has launched its new Atollo II range and is using footballer Michael Owen to promote it (this could easily have gone in the Football Crazy category).

The masculine but stylish watches (they're chunky and made of metal but look smart and refined) start from £95. Phone 01962 852099 for stockists.

6Softie:

The Body Shop reckons it has Father's Day "all wrapped up" with its range of grooming treats for men. The popular Mechanics for Men range includes cool menthol shave cream and the best-selling Face Protector. There is also a face wash and face scrub.

Another Body Shop range is the Japanese Hotsprings bath and body range. Described as "musky and masculine", the spicy range includes Indulgent Bath Cream, Softening Body Gel and Softening Mineral Dust.

6Hay fever sufferer:

If your dad is one of the millions who suffer from hay fever every summer, what about a Mountain Breeze Ioniser which provides relief by removing pollen from the air, attacking the cause of the problem and leaving the air fresh and clean.

Benefits include increased alertness, easier breathing and better sleep. Phone 0161 947 3170 for stockists.

6Tech-head:

For dads that enjoy sitting at the computer for hours on end, what about a new Microsoft mouse with new Intellieye Optical Technology.

The integrated optical sensor tracks movements at up to 2,000 times per second and is easy to use as it is controlled using the index finger rather than the thumb.

The Trackball Explorer is meant to be up to 64 per cent faster and more precise than traditional trackball products. The Intellimouse Explorer, meanwhile, is a more traditional mouse but nevertheless exciting with its "sleek titanium and glowing red underbelly".

And if dad's always losing his computer disks, what about a diskette storage "safe" from Sainsbury's Daddy Cool range. Complete with a Mission Impossible-style digital clock and lock, it's a great gift at just £6.99.

6Wine lover:

If your dad enjoys a drop of wine, what about something from the Royal Selangor "Wine Celebration" range.

The range, which "combines form and function in a sleek and simple art deco inspired design with a highly polished finish", comprises a carafe, a cork extractor, a wine funnel, a drip ring, a wine pourer and a foil cutter. For stockists, phone 0207 474 5511 ext. 121.

6Daredevil

If your dad's a real daredevil, what about giving him a Red Letter Days experience? You can choose from white water rafting, light aircraft flying, jet skiing, scuba diving and go-karting for £7, sailing, paragliding and hawk handling for £125, motor racing, power boating and helicopter flying for £175.

Once you have chosen the price point, the recipient can chose which activity, out of 20, they want to do. The experiences come in a gift box and are available from Debenhams.

So spoil dad, this Sunday. He deserves it!