Think Outside the (Tie) Box Father’s Day
Dad may not always know best, but he may not deserve another necktie, either.
Some fathers are easy to shop for: bow tie/baseball tickets/iTunes gift card. And then there are the others who require days devoted to thinking of some clever and unexpected Father’s Day gift ideas. There’s no perfect one-size-fits-all Father’s Day gift, as all dads have their own distinctive tastes and interests. Need some suggestions? We’ve come up with 10 fun picks for the patriarch of your family that will show him he’s number one on June 16.
1. Personalized M&M dispenser
Personalized M&M dispenser (Photo by M&M)
Show the dad with a sweet tooth that you’re his biggest fan with a unique personalized gift. Choose from dad’s favorite colors. Then personalize them with images, clipart or a personal message.
Featuring a “#1 Dad” design, the classic white candy dispenser comes with a 1-pound bag of chocolate M&Ms candies (approximately 10 servings of candy). The candy dispenser is approximately 9 inches high and made of cast iron with a glass top. It hods up to 18 ounces of chocolate candies and costs $49.99.
2. T-shirt pillows
T-shirt pillow from Campus Quilt Co. (Photo by Campus Quilt Co.)
If dad is still reliving his college days, or you can’t get him to give up his favorite team’s T-shirts, a giant four-square T-shirt pillow may be the answer. Just pack up eight of his favorite T-shirts and send them off to Campus Quilt Co.
For $95, they’ll turn them into a 30-inch by 30-inch pillow filled with formed polydown stuffing to provide excellent shape and a soft feel. The pillows are durable and fully washable. Pillows take two to four weeks.
3. Macadamia nut fire starters
Macadamia nut fire starters from Double Brush (Photo by Etsy)
If dad thinks he’s an outdoorsman, but really isn’t, this eco friendly and unique campfire starter is a natural and chemical free way to light up your fire pit, campfire, BBQ pit or fireplace. The camp fire starters from Double Brush through Etsy come from the Big Island of Hawaii and are handmade with real macadamia nut shells and dye free unscented soy wax! Macadamia nuts have a super hard shell with a high oil content.
For $3.80 for two, they will give you a roaring fire in no time and are better than using toxic lighter fluid, especially if you plan to do some outdoor cooking! Of course you don’t have to be a man to enjoy these and to light a fire!
4. Marimo moss ball light bulb aquarium
Marimo moss ball light bulb aquarium from Common Goods (Photo by Common Goods)
The marimo is a living moss ball found growing in lakes in Iceland, Scotland, Japan and Estonia. Each lake’s current swirls the little plant around and around so it grows naturally into a petite pom-pom shape. Its curious name is a portmanteau of two Japanese words, “mari,” meaning “bouncy ball,” and “mo,” a term for plants that grow underwater. This sweet, sphere-shaped creature is adored around the globe: the Japanese believe that it brings good luck, and in Iceland it is believed that a well-loved marimo makes wishes come true!
With Sara Reynolds’s palm-sized aquarium from Uncommon Goods, you can bring a bit of the marimo’s magic into dad’s life. The $35 light-bulb-turned-ecosystem supports this tiny good-luck charm in its own, indoor environment, making it the perfect accent for desks, tables and dressers.
5. Supper hero apron
Superman apron from Modcloth (Photo by Modcloth)
Your favorite fella can make an epic quiche, mend any crooked cake and shake a cocktail that packs a punch, so why not let him look the part of the gallant gourmet in this amazing apron? Featuring the stunning silhouette of Superman, complete with abs of steel behind a signature uniform of red, gold and blue, this comic-inspired accessory for $24.99 from ModCloth makes anyone look like quite the character as they soar around the kitchen.
Whether he’s cooking a feast for your entire extended family or challenging himself with new foodie feats, this daring apron makes him feel like a superhero!
6. Handcrafted shave kit
Handcrafted shave kit from Char Shelton (Photo by Etsy)
Treat your dad to a skin softening shave with this spearmint ginger goat milk or citrus sunrise shave soap. It will leave his skin feeling clean but not dry or itchy. The handcrafted shave set from Char Shelton through Etsy includes a hand knit all cotton bath cloth and wood handled shave brush along with a seashell. Everything is tucked into a wicker basket.
The all-natural soaps are handmade in a smoke free home. Char’s husband carves the wooden soap dishes from Western Red Cedar, Redwood or Cedar of Lebanon reclaimed from their farm or the beach. The cost for the kit is $14.
7. Men’s rings
Joe’s black enamel men’s engravable stainless steel ring from Emitatiions (Photo by Emitations)
Jewelry isn’t just for mom. Dads enjoy jewelry too. From Emitations, Joe’s black enamel men’s engravable stainless steel ring has a simple but fashion forward design. A wide groove on the stainless steel band is filled with sleek black enamel for a unique twist on the classic men’s ring. Stainless steel rings are durable and long lasting. This one, for $25 can even be engraved so he always remembers the day.
If he isn’t a ring kind of guy, Emitations’ classic silver box chains are a great choice for casual and fancy pendants. Box chains have a series of wide, square links that interconnect with each other. The sturdy, flexible chains are perfect for holding heavier charms securely and are available in 16-, 18-, 20-, 24- or 30-inch lengths and ran from $13.77 to $24.75.
8. Wireless dolphin mouse
Wireless dolphin mouse from the Museum of Modern Art (Photo by MOMA)
For the nerdy dad, consider this wireless dolphin mouse from New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. On sale for $19.95, this three-button wireless optical mouse has a receiver resembling a dolphin’s tail. Simply connect the receiver to a USB port — no special driver installation is required. It has an optical image sensor with 1000 DPI resolution and 2.4 GHZ band to ensure accurate mouse operation. It takes one AAA battery, which is included.
9. Ginger syrup
Morris Kitchen’s handmade ginger syrup from Hickoree’s (Photo by Hickoree’s)
For the guy who likes to unwind with a Dark and Stormy, add this one-of-a-kind freshly juiced ginger syrup to his bar cart. From Hickoree’s, this handmade ginger syrup from Morris Kitchen is a small Brooklyn-based brand. The syrup is made with freshly juiced ginger and a balanced proportion of sugar. It is made by hand in small batches and bottled in an apothecary style amber glass jar with a letterpress-printed label.
Ginger syrup can be used in a variety of seasonal cocktails, simply paired with sparkling water, served over fresh fruit and berries, used as a topping for desserts or incorporated into cooking recipes. Cost is $13 for an 8 ounce bottle.
10. Make-your-own whiskey kit
Age-Your-Own Whiskey Kit by Woodinville Whiskey Co. from Binny’s Beverage Depot (Photo by Binny’s Beverage Depot)
Give him everything he needs – White Dog un-aged whiskey, an aging barrel, a pouring funnel, two tasting glasses and step-by-step instructions – for distilling a spirit of his own. The Age-Your-Own Whiskey Kit by Woodinville Whiskey Co. from Binny’s Beverage Depot sells for $149.99.
Because of the small barrel size, the aging process is significantly accelerated with nicely aged whiskey available in three to six months. The aging barrel can be refilled and reused five or more times.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
