After spending $88.01 on recent graduates and $123.89 on mothers in May, U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $90.89 on fathers, down from last year’s $94.54. The National Retail Federation also expects total spending to reach $9.4 billion, according to the D.C. trade association’s most recent survey.

Sporting goods, gardening tools and appliances are still mainstay Father’s Day gifts, as consumers anticipate spending more than $500 million in each product category.

But while ties and socks also remain popular gifts, consumers plan to spend the most on a special outing, such as dinner or a sporting event. In fact, more than a third of total holiday spending, or $3.2 billion, will go toward both outings and clothing.

And while consumers recognize the special interests of their fathers, they are celebrating Father’s Day not much differently than Mother’s Day. For both mothers and fathers, special outings, gift cards and clothing have become favorite purchases. And for both holidays, they will shop the most at discount stores, as their popularity continues to rise.

Side note: This Father’s Day survey also points out that since 2004, consumers have spent an average of $30.33 more on mothers than fathers for their respective holidays. Why do you think this happens? Let us know by commenting below.

“With Easter falling so late this year, retailers will have plenty of time to entice shoppers with deals on spring apparel and other Easter merchandise,” said Tracy Mullin, president of the National Retail Federation.

The D.C. trade group expects total spending to reach $12.73 billion, based on a survey conducted with BIGresearch in early March. Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed said that they observe Easter.

While the holiday meal continues to be the biggest expense, most consumers – specifically, more than 87 percent – plan to purchase candy. More than half of them will also buy gifts and greeting cards, adding up to an estimated $7.88 billion.

These findings lead experts to believe that Easter is still both a good time and reason to launch spring promotions.

“Many Americans view Easter as the official kickoff to spring,” said Phil Rist, BIGresearch’s executive vice president of strategic initiatives. “A later holiday could mean people will take advantage of retailers’ promotions as a way to spruce up their spring wardrobe.”

• The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, by Alice Schroeder, $35
  Over the past five years, this book became Schroeder’s means of exploring the many paradoxes that she found in Buffett: a rich man who did not spend, a man raised Republican but voted Democrat, and even a rich man who supposed taxes for the rich. The final product is a comprehensive and candid portrait of someone who everyone knew simply as the great American investor.
• The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures, by Dan Roam, $24.95
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• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, $39.99
  While Forbes once ranked this the most influential business book of the 20th century, Covey’s principles are not based on economics. Rather, all seven habits can read habits that anyone can adopt, to do anything (and yes, that includes maintaining a successful business). Though first published 15 years ago, the book still ranks as No. 3 in the New York Times Paperback Business Best Sellers list.
• A Sense of Urgency, by John P. Kotter, $22
  This Harvard Business School professor has long suggested that when a crisis rises, so may an opportunity. In this book, he teaches readers how to implement this sort of thinking throughout their companies, with clear objectives that address the crisis and convey how it can directly change business as usual.
• The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, $25
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Other notable titles:

• Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras
• The Trillion Dollar Meltdown: Easy Money, High Rollers, and the Great Credit Crash, by Charles R. Morris
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kyosaki with Sharon Lecter
• Hot, Flat, and Crowded, by Thomas L. Friedman
• Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton