Old jerseys: Replicas of Dad's favorite sports hero Click photo for larger image.

Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash., conceived the idea for Father's Day after she listened to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. She wanted to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise six children. Her dad was born in June, so that was the month designated for Father's Day, declared by the Spokane mayor in 1910. But it wasn't until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.

Here are some gift ideas for Dad beyond the ubiquitous tie.

Magazine in a box

Giftscriptions, a magazine gift certificate, lets him choose what he wants from among 50 magazines, such as Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Men's Health and Outdoor Life. It comes in a box with a booklet that previews all the magazines and a postage-paid redemption card. Cost is less than $20 per subscription. Available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and giftscriptionsonline. com.

Old jerseys

Replicas of vintage jerseys worn by your dad's favorite sports hero could do the trick. For a one-stop shop on pro sports, you can go to Mitchell & Ness, a Philadelphia-based distributor of vintage athletic apparel that offers a limited selection of Pirates (Roberto Clemente's 1971 jersey, $265), Steelers or Penguins items (MitchellandNess.com, must order by Tuesday). You can also go to the individual team shops. (MLB.com, for example, sells the same Clemente 1971 jersey for virtually the same price at $264.99.)

Gifts for the griller

The outdoor grill is often Dad's domain, so here are some handy tools.

Let dad sign his own steaks with a Western-style three-initial monogrammed brander. Also available with two initials. Various brands available: $39.95 at Williams-Somona (online and in stores) or $79 at RedEnvelope.com.

Grilling tool sets. RedEnvelope offers a six-piece set that comes in a roll-up nylon carrying case, $68; or try a teak-handled four-piece grilling set that comes in an attractive storage box from Williams-Sonoma for $69. Sur La Table offers the Original Grillslinger Barbeque Tool System that comes on a nylon holster belt. $129.95 on its Web site or by catalog only. Other sets are widely available at home or discount stores.

Grilling set from RedEnvelope Click photo for larger image.

For night grilling, try RedEnvelope's flashlight grill tongs. Uses two AAA batteries, not included. $50.

Cool brews

Beer-of-the-month club subscriptions have been popular gifts, but now that imports and microbrews are readily available here, opt for beer gift certificates or gift baskets so Dad can pick out what he wants.

Among some spots that offer these are D's SixPax & Dogz, Regent Square, 412-241-4666; 3 Sons Dogs and Suds in Pine, www.3sonsdogsandsuds.com or 724-940-7667; the Pittsburgh Bottleshop Cafe in Collier, www.bottleshopcafe.com or 412-279-8170; and Mohan's in Penn Hills, www.mohansrestaurant.com or 412-793-3121.