Dad is finally getting his due, according to a survey conducted by BIGResearch on behalf of the industry trade group the National Retail Federation.

Although spending on Father’s Day is typically lower than that of Mother’s Day, the gap is projected to narrow this year, with Americans expected to shell out an average of $106.49 on their fathers, up from $94.32 last year.

It’s worth noting that’s the highest projected level since the NRF began conducting the survey eight years ago.

According to the survey, consumers are planning to splurge on a variety of gifts this year. But more people plan on taking dad on a special outing this year. Fathers also will be receiving more gift cards, sporting goods, and automotive accessories.

“Shoppers seem to be more excited when it comes to gift giving, an encouraging sign for retailers—and dad—everywhere,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the NRF.

Sure you can always buy Dad a new golf shirt, tie, or grill apron, but for those who want to be a little more creative, we’ve pulled together some great ideas for things fathers will actually use—and enjoy.

Click ahead to get inspired.

By Christina Cheddar-Berk
Posted 01 June 2011

Lure of the Month Clubs
Price: $53 and up

If dad lives to fish, you might want to sign him up for a fishing lure of the month club. Fishing Enthusiast has several different ones. Pick the one that fits his favorite fishing spot or his favorite catch. There are lures for trout, walleye, saltwater and fresh water.

In total, the NRF projects consumers will spend $653 million on all types of sporting goods this Father’s Day.

The Nike + SportWatch GPS powered by TomTom
Price: $199.00

If dad loves to run, this Nike sports watch may help him improve his workouts. Since the watch is powered by TomTom’s GPS, it can track his run and give accurate speed and distance information. It also can calculate pace, heart rate and calories burned as well as keep a history of recent workouts.

If that’s not his style, don’t forget other gear, from shoes to socks. One great idea that won’t break the bank are specialized running socks such as Falke RU 4 Cushion, which is priced at about $16, or Defeet Trail 19 socks, which cost about $12.

Craft Steak Sauces & The Ultimate Grilling Rub Collection
Price: $12.00 and Up

Williams-Sonoma has a wide range of BBQ accessories and tools, ranging from the essential—cutting boards and steel grill brushes—to the less obvious—monogrammed BBQ branding irons and grill lights.

The retailer even sells meat for the grill as well as a wide-range of supplies that includes things like hickory smoking chips, cedar planks, foil cooking bags, and seasonings and sauces that can kick the BBQ chef’s repertoire up a notch. Even the basic hamburger can take on a more interesting edge with a range of tools to turn out sliders.

Garmin Approach G5 GPS-Enabled Gold Handheld
Price: $323.49

If you want to splurge on your golfer dad, you might want to look into buying a GPS –enabled hand-held device like the Garmin Approach.

The device has thousands of pre-loaded golf course maps for dad to examine, and does not require a subscription. On the course, he can use the high-sensitivity GPS receiver to measure individual shot distances and show the exact yardage to fairways hazards and greens.

There also are other rival handhelds such as the Callaway uPro and the SkyCaddie SG3. Those come with a less expensive price tag, but fewer features.

Novatel 4510L 4G MiFi
Price: $224

If dad loves his gadgets, he probably already has an iPad, Kindle or Nook, but does he have his own personal mobile hotspot where he can use all of these devices?

Novatel’s 4G MiFi is the size of a deck of cards and it allows customers to create their own personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing high-speed Internet connectivity with as many as five devices at once.

A Hammock
From $16.99 and up

If dad lives to kick back and relax, why not get him a hammock. Just don’t forget to get some tree straps, which will help keep the hammock secure.

Or if you don’t have trees or a porch to string up the hammock, you might want to consider buying a hammock stand as well.

“The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood”
By Jane Leavy
Price $27.00

BIGResearch expects consumers will spend about $598 million on books and CDs this Father’s Day.

If dad is a sports fan, you might want to consider buying a book, as there are a few new ones that would be a great addition to his collection.

Among them is Jane Leavy’s biography of New York Yankee legend Mickey Mantle. Leavy is well-known for her previous biography of Sandy Koufax, which landed on the New York Times bestseller list, and her account of Mantle’s life is already receiving many accolades.

If your dad isn’t a baseball fan, you might consider “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN” by James Andrew Miller or “I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness to the Blind Side and Beyond,” which is the autobiography of Michael Oher, the football player depicted in the movie, “The Blind Side.”

Sony’s Bloggie 3D
If dad loves to record every baseball game you’ve ever played, or every recital you have ever danced in, he might be interested in Sony’s Bloggie 3D, a tiny 3D, full HD video camera that is small enough to fit in his pocket.

One advantage of this device is that you don’t even need a 3D HDTV to view the content. You can view it in 3D without 3D glasses on the LCD screen on the back of the camera.

Boxing Packages from SpaRahRah!
From $37

You think your dad’s a champ. Why not let him train like one?

SpaFinder’s new SpaRahRah! Travel service has a number of custom-crafted spa, wellness and travels deals, including a few that will allow dad to train at legendary gyms used by the likes of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard as well as celebs like Bradley Cooper and LL Cool J.

For $37, dad can train for 3 full days at the legendary 5th Street Gym in Miami, where Ali once trained.

Other deals include eight classes at Redwood Boxing and Fitness in Los Angeles for $65. Former clients of this gym include LL Cool J, Don Cheadle, Bradley Cooper, Jalen Rose and more.

Packages from Zozi
Prices vary

Since more consumers are looking to share a fun experience with their fathers, you might want to consider browsing a Web site like zozi.com, which features discounts on wide range of activities.

We liked a few that catered to the foodie dad. For example, dad could learn how to dive for abalone and prepare his catch near San Francisco, attend a wine and food pairing class with a five-course meal in Seattle, or go on a wild food foraging hike in Los Angeles.