Just like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is a bonus opportunity each year to appreciate the love and support a parent has given us. While there’s still some time before holiday June 15, it’s never too soon to consider thoughtful gifts! Since gift giving for dads can be difficult (sometimes even more so than gift-giving for moms), I’ve thought up a few ideas that might be fitting to celebrate your father this year.

Let’s begin with the dudes that love music. Whether he’s a Rat Pack kinda guy or a Deadhead, you’ll find something up his alley at Love Garden, 822 Massachusetts St. Or if you want to take his affinity for music one step further, see if what’s playing at The Granada, Jackpot, The Bottleneck or Liberty Hall is something he’d like. Experiencing live music together can make for excellent memories.

Does your dad enjoy gardening? Whether herbs, veggies, shrubs or flowers, you can count on Howard Pine’s Garden Center and Greenhouse, 1320 N. Third St., to have an excellent selection. Picking out a few plants and offering to give him a hand in the garden would make for a great Father’s Day (plus a fun daytime activity to engage in before an evening cookout).

If nothing fits the bill yet, a good book can usually save the day. Be it science fiction, mystery, horror, historical fiction or maybe your dad enjoys a specific author (my dad, for one, is a John Grisham reader), there are lots of options. Good book stores also stock journals, which could be a nice alternative, too. The Raven Book Store, 6 E. Seventh St., and Signs of Life, 722 Massachusetts St., are reliable shops downtown for new reads, while the Dusty Bookshelf, 708 Massachusetts St., offers a plethora of pre-loved books.

I would be remiss not to mention a good ol’ lunch or dinner together at a downtown hot-spot. Jefferson’s, 743 Massachusetts St., is a great casual spot to catch beer and wings with dad, or The Burger Stand, 803 Massachusetts St., is also a popular go-to. If he’s a fan of beer, take him to Merchant’s Pub & Plate, 746 Massachusetts St., and get a tasting flight together (they have 30 beers on tap, you know).

There are plenty of ways to celebrate dad this year. I’ve shared a few ideas related to music, hobbies, books and grub, but no matter your gift, he will appreciate your thoughtfulness and love. Some fathers have everything they need (don’t you just hate that?), and you can do no better than a big, fat hug and some steaks on the grill. However you celebrate, I wish you a lovely Father’s Day!

— Jessica Pauly, aka Mrs. Mass., gives her thoughts on shopping, urban living and what’s new in Lawrence in CheckOut weekly and on her blog, mrsmass.com.