YOUR PLACE WHEN A TIE JUST WON'T DO.

Byline: - Jaime Spangrude

Father's Day is next weekend, so start thinking of ways to make your dad's day special. Forget the funky ties and consider the following:

1. ROPE HAMMOCK AND TAUPE STAND: Enjoy the summer skies by relaxing in a comfortable, handcrafted hammock. It is made of 100 percent cotton rope stretched between natural oak supports and is roomy enough for two people ($99.99). The hammock stand coordinates with the canopy and is made of heavy 12-gauge steel ($99.99). Available at Target.

2. CORVETTE CLOCK: This clock has a racy Corvette logo and is an exact replica of the ``double-bubble'' clocks that kept time in filling stations of the '50s. It features sleek black hands, a red number ring beneath the outer bubble and a red second hand ($159). Available at Restoration Hardware.

3. RIGHTEOUSLY RED ULTIMATE TOOL STORAGE: This efficient rolling storage chest is the perfect gift to get Dad organized. It has eight foam-matted drawers that can store anything from pliers to power tools, as well as a pull-out cabinet with 30 movable hooks for hanging storage. It comes in fire-engine red and can hold up to 794 pounds. The doors and wheels both lock when not in use. The chest is 30 inches wide and 38 inches tall ($499). Available at Restoration Hardware.

4. THE SKYBOX: Maytag offers the world's first personal vending machine for the home. Offering convenience with the push of a button, the SkyBox vendor is able to dispense up to 64 cans or 32 bottles, and comes with 20 beverage card inserts featuring the most popular brands. A light appears when a selection is almost empty and a side entry key and lock allow loading and unloading at the hands of the operator. The vendor can be customized with the NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR driver or college team logo of your choice, or with photos of the family, on the front and side panels. It comes in pitch black or gridiron platinum finishes. Suggested retail price is $607, which includes the refrigerator unit, the storage base and the sports panel kits. Available at Home Depot, the Maytag Store and Maytag Home Appliance Center locations, or go to www.skyboxbymaytag.com.

5. FINIAL BOOKENDS: Sometimes the best gifts are those you've created yourself. Go to any Home Depot store's lumber department and pick up two fence post finials and two fence post caps. Screw the finial onto the cap and, going with the grain of the wood, use a 100-grit sandpaper to smooth away rough edges. (Be sure to make the bookends at least 8 inches tall so that they will be able to support heavy books). Use Accents by Rust-Oleum Classic Leather Paint kit for an easy finish. Spray the base coat onto the sanded wood and let it dry. Sponge on the top coat with a foam applicator, then press plastic wrap onto the piece and rub it slightly. Gently remove the plastic to reveal your masterpiece.

6. GENESIS GOLD C GRILL BY WEBER: This grill features stainless steel lids and handles, front stainless steel trim panels and side burners for sauce pots. It is available with a liquid propane tank or in natural gas models and its total cooking area ranges from 528 to 611 square inches ($699). To find a store nearest you, go to www.weber.com.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS: If you're stumped on what to buy or make Dad, HGTV.com offers up some suggestions on its Father's Day page. The page features great gifts to build or buy, fun things to do, as well as free e-cards.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1) ROPE HAMMOCK AND TAUPE STAND

(2) CORVETTE CLOCK

(3) RED ULTIMATE TOOL STORAGE

(4) SKYBOX

(5) FINIAL BOOKENDS

(6) GENESIS GOLD C GRILL BY WEBER