What do dads really want this Father's Day? Ten surprising facts.

This Father's Day, skip the ties and power tools. Chances are, your dad would prefer gift cards, electronics, or just a simple phone call. 

When it comes to Father's Day gifts, power tools and neckties are bound to be high on most dads' wish lists. Or are they?

A recent DealNews survey proves that dads don't always want what conventional wisdom would lead you to believe. As it turns out, some dads might even be happy with just a phone call. So before you lose your cool shopping for the right Father's Day gift, check out our survey to find out what today's dads really want.

Dads Don't Actually Want Ties or Tools

Contrary to what stores may tell you, dads don't want neckties or power tools on Father's Day. In fact, most dads we polled rated gift cards and phone calls higher than power tools and neckties, the latter of which came dead last in our list of most-desired dad gifts. (In fact, only two dads, out of 2,634 who took the survey, said they'd like to receive a tie.)

Most Dads Secretly Want Electronics

Instead, what dads really want are gadgets and electronics, which was the most desired gift in our Father's Day poll by a landslide. A little over one fifth of all respondents, or 21%, want electronics.

Younger Dads Are More Likely to Get Noodle Art...

Not surprisingly, younger dads are more likely to receive hand-made gifts from their children on Father's Day. And that's a good thing since younger dads are the most likely group to appreciate such gifts.

...But the Appeal Wears Off as Their Kids Get Older

However, we highly recommend you skip the noodle art post elementary school, as the desire to receive hand-made gifts drastically drops once the kids are in high school or older. (But really, you probably already sensed this, right?)

Greeting Cards Reign Supreme on Father's Day and Mother's Day

Despite all the retailer hype, an overwhelming majority of both moms and dads wind up receiving greeting cards on their respective holidays. That's right, no item sells as much as the trusty Hallmark greeting.

Only About Half of Parents Think a Phone Call Counts as a Gift

Didn't have time to buy that father's day card? You might be in luck. While most moms and dads wouldn't consider a phone call an appropriate gift, 67% of dads aged 65 and older said they would. In fact, check out the full breakdown in the chart below.

So if you're going to give the gift of your voice this year, make sure your dad is in the best age group to appreciate it.

Older Dads Are Cool With Getting Nothing for Father's Day

The older your dad, the greater your chances are of not offending him by giving him nothing on Father's Day. Dads aged 55 years and older, in particular, showed no interest in receiving a gift on their designated day.

Younger Dads Are More Open to Receiving Flowers as a Gift

When it comes to gift ideas, younger dads might be more open to receiving less traditional gifts on Father's Day, since they were more welcome to the idea of flowers as a gift. So go ahead and buy them that bouquet, they won't mind.

People Start Slacking on Father's Day Once They're Out of College

Unfortunately for dads, adult children (post college) are just as likely to give their dad nothing on Father's Day as are newborns/babies — which is pretty amusing since babies clearly have an excuse. That means most adults are terrible about giving their dads gifts on Father's Day.

Fathers With Young Children Don't Get the Day Off

Although Father's Day is supposed to be dad's day to relax and kick back, it turns out most fathers with young children don't get any R&R at all on this day.

Bottom line, if you're going to give your dad a gift this Father's Day, make it a gadget or electronic device you think he'll enjoy. However, if you wind up forgetting, a simple phone call might do the trick.

This article first appeared in DealNews.