Three Wise Men: Father's Day Wishlists

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STOP. PUT THE TIE DOWN. Back away from the golf gear. Don't guess what the old man wants for Father's Day — go to the source. Three D.C.-area dads, in their 20s to 40s, agreed to scavenge malls for an hour to pick out what they're jonesing to receive and hoping not to. The catch: All picks needed to be less than $50. But, really, can you put a price on paternal love? Well, when it comes to foam fingers and video games, yes.

TODD EASTMAN, 28

Dad to: 20-month-old Summer
Day Job: Business development manager at Logik Systems
Lives in: Burke, Va.
The Mall: Pentagon City

Loved: Eastman admired the no-frills, black leather Money Clip Wallet ($20, Brookstone). "It's always something that can be replaced; you can't lose there." More practical buys included aviator sunglasses ($20, NYS Collection kiosk) and leather sandals he can pad around the house in ($25, American Eagle). For the Virginia Tech alum, "anything Tech related is a plus" ($15 T-shirts, Champs), and Redskins gear, say, a foam finger, is a great find ($12, Out of Left Field): "I've had several and they all seem to get destroyed."

Loathed: Even though he relies on his Treo, don't try to get him a case for it. "Like ties, they're really personal and hard to pick out for someone else." Also, be wary when it comes to daddy's derriere. He disparages a pair of magenta boxers with a four-leaf clover pattern. "Every pair is goofy-looking." Cargo jeans bummed him out, too. "They are the worst things on the planet. If someone bought these for me, I would cry."

SETH WEINER, 34

Dad To: 4-year-old Ben and 2-year-old Bria
Day Job: President of Sonic Promos
Lives in: Boyds, Md.
The Mall: Westfield Montgomery

Loved: Weiner's a bit of a grilling fanatic. His eyes light up when he sees "The Barbecue Bible" by Stephen Raichlen ($20, Borders), and a stop at Sears leads to Cedar Grill Planks by Char-Broil ($12): "It's great for getting a cedar taste in your food." And what dad wouldn't be complete without a Kenmore LED Grill Light ($25, Sears)? The light attaches to a flexible arm, which allows proud papas to grill after sunset.

Loathed: While he's a fan of Armani Black Code cologne, he doesn't recommend springing for cheaper brand extensions: "I didn't like the deodorant at all — I got a rash." A 5-in-1 universal remote got a thumbs down ("If I lose this, everything's gone. I've got kids, and the kids grab them."), as did crew socks. "I want a gift to be something that reminds me of when I got it. If I'm putting on my socks to go for a run, I'm not thinking, 'Oh! I got these socks for Father's Day!'"

KRIS PRICE, 45

Dad to: 8-year-old Zoe and 9-month-old Will
Day Job: Senior graphic designer at Service Employees International Union
Lives in: Alexandria
The Mall: Tysons Corner

Loved: Price smiled broadIy when he saw the Incase Slider Case for iPhone ($35, Apple Store). "It's black, sleek and custom-fit. Very nice." Mario Kart Wii ($50, GameStop) was a must, as was the Wii Racing Wheel ($10) he'll need to play it. Games aside, this pop doesn't mess around when it comes to his style. Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub ($34 for 8.8 ounces, Lush) is a great exfoliator: "There's a little grit to it, but it wasn't like sandpaper." At the Levi's store, he chose a short-sleeve plaid shirt with ivory snap buttons ($48). "Shirts with snaps are going to be hot."

Loathed: Price nixed film-theme video games like "The Hulk." "If you haven't seen the movie, you don't know the ins and outs. What if you're not a 'Hulk' fan?" Likewise, a T-shirt kiosk left him shaking his head at a Superman-style "Super Dad" shirt. "Once you hit 40, style doesn't go out the window."

Photos by Kris Coronado/Express