Products & Ideas...

Let's face it, dads love gadgets. And with Father's Day around the corner, you know your dad or father-in-law is expecting something shiny and electronic from you.

So let's not disappoint. Here are five great green gadgets that would make perfect gifts for the dads in your life:

1. The SOLIO universal solar charger. This great device can charge your dad's cell phone, iPod (if he's hip enough), digital camera, or just about anything else. Solio devices start at $79.95 -- and they even have an eco-friendly gift-wrapping option!

2. The Watts Up? energy meter. Perfect for the do-it-yourself dad, these devices help to identify the energy vampires in your house. Give this gift, then watch your dad run around the whole house trying to make things more efficient!

3. ScanGuage II, the perfect automotive tool for a dad trying to cut down on his gasoline consumption.

4. An LED flashlight. Because come on, no dad can ever have enough flashlights. LEDs use even less power than CFLs, and they provide a great light for tiny and giant jobs.

5. A hand-powered lawn mower. Not only do these not use gas, and help save the planet, the exercise he gets will help cut down on that middle-age spread your dad is no doubt already building around his waist! (Just make sure he doesn't start inviting you over the mow the lawn for him!)

If none of these fit the bill for your dad, why not go the totally green route and make an environmental donation in his name. No products, no packaging, no shipping, and the money will do some good for the world. You can't go wrong with that.