Show dad how much he means to you. These insulated mugs combine the creativity of scrapbooking with the usefulness of a travel mug.

How many ties, shirts or books have you given dad for Father's Day that he still hasn't worn or read? This year, show dad how special he is to you by giving him something useful and unique.

Spend time creating a gift for dad that showcases special memories. The rapid rise in the popularity of scrapbooking provides you with lots of options to easily create a personalized and lasting gift for him.

Instead of spending more than $88 on a generic gift, as did the average consumer in 2005, put that money toward creating new memories. Treat dad to some peanuts and Cracker Jacks at a baseball game, take lots of pictures and be sure to keep that ticket stub. That evening you two can relive your day making a new scrapbook page together.

And if you aren't among the one in four households that participate in scrapbooking, don't fret. It's simple to get started.

All you need to begin are scissors, a few sheets of coordinating paper and acid-free glue (to prevent pictures from yellowing).If you want to get a bit more elaborate, select some stickers, paper punches and colored felt pens. Supplies may be found at local scrapbooking stores or at retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart.

If creating a scrapbook seems daunting, begin with a smaller project featuring dad and yourself. Showcase a bike ride, your first fishing trip or the time the two of you built a birdhouse for the backyard.The Scrapbook Travel Mug by Aladdin is a great beginner project that allows you to scrapbook a customizable insert for an insulated mug to take family memories on-the-go. It's guaranteed to be dad's most prominently displayed trophy on his desk. The mug is available at Target, Wal-Mart or online at www.aladdinscrapbook.com.

• Make photos "pop" —- Use a themed background paper, but mat your photos in a solid color. Also, don't be afraid to crop the picture to focus on what's really important.• Embellish — Use mementos such as theater tickets, maps or parts of a brochure to showcase memories that enrich the photos.• Journal —- Write a "journal entry" that describes the event in more detail or tells a funny or touching story.• Other hints — To get your creative juices flowing, Aladdin offers free downloadable inserts for their Scrapbook Travel Mug on www.aladdinscrapbook.com.