• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, June 13, 2016

While Father’s Day typically pales in comparison to other big retail days, a new survey from the National Federation of Retailers says this will be the biggest one yet -- predicting spending of $14.3 billion.

Offerings range from department stores, like Macy’s (which is pushing style) and JC Penney (which is peddling heart through adorable videos of dads styling their daughters’ hair) to manly offers from the likes of Lowe’s and the Home Depot. And the trade group says consumers shopping for dad will likely spend $125.92, up from $115.57 last year.

As is true with Mother’s Day, which generated a much more impressive $21.4 billion in total spending last month, activities like dinner or brunch are popular. Consumers plan to spend $3.1 billion on these outings, cited by 47% of respondents. Another 22% hope to make a bigger splash, with an experience-type gift, such as tickets for a big game or concert. (This choice is a Gen Y favorite, chosen by 40%.)

"We always had people celebrating Father's Day -- it just wasn't the same as Mother's Day," Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys, tells Marketing Daily. The consultancy's own survey of 5,800 men and women found that average spending on Dad would increase 6% this year, twice the increase from last year. "I think that's a combination of a better economy and an increased level of marketing by the retailers," Passikoff says. "Any excuse is a reasonable excuse for retailers."

Pro sports are increasingly trying to cash in on that impulse. For the first time, Major League Baseball says its teams will wear special Father’s Day uniforms with blue touches. Fans can buy them too, with proceeds going to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The National Football League, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association are cranking out the dad-related gear.

Dads can also expect about $2 billion worth of ties, socks, and other clothing (chosen by 43%) as well as gift cards (selected by 41%.) And about 20% say they will give dad some type of electronic gift, spending $1.7 billion.

About 38% say they intend to buy gifts at department stores, followed by 32% who will shop online; 27% at a discount store, and 24% at some type of specialty store. Another 17% intend to buy something from a local small business. The survey is based on responses from 7,200 adults.

Another option, of course, is to give dad what he really wants, which is nothing. Thanks to Century 21, you can actually get his name on a little slice of (the apparently aptly named) Nothing, Ariz., just by going to Givedadnothing.com.

Aaron Baar contributed to this report.