Can you believe it’s almost June? That means the 4th of July will be here in a few days, Halloween is next Friday and Christmas is three weeks after that!
Okay — maybe not quite; but before you begin planning any of the aforementioned holidays, you’ve got to figure out what to get your dad for Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is very near and dear to my heart. I’m close to both my dad and grandpa, and I have endless memories of spending time with them. The thing is — they’re both pretty hard to buy gifts for.
After asking a few friends about this, I discovered I’m not alone. So, I created a list — of unexpected gifts for dads who are just so darn hard to buy for. It’s an incomplete list, because someone always comes up to me and says, “what about a scale model of the White House during the Nixon administration?” (I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that one.) Nonetheless, I hope this helps you find a great gift for any dads in your life this Father’s Day.
DIY: This homemade Rosemary Mint Shaving Cream opens in a new tab sounds too cool! Change up the herbs to customize it to your dad’s taste. Don’t forget to handwrite a label for a little added touch.
Gift-of-the-Month Club: From bacon to beer, you can pretty much find any gift subscription for your dad to enjoy all year long. Talk with the Customer Service team at your local Whole Foods Market. Many stores have a concierge service and can set your dad up with a standing order of his favorite items each month (hello, rib eye)!
Bar Basics: Start (or replenish) your dad’s bar with a selection of top quality spirits, liqueurs and bitters. If he’s a fan of classic cocktails, go with rye whiskey, gin, dry vermouth, and Angostura bitters. Or, stock his fridge with an assortment of craft beers opens in a new tab! Look for local favorites, too. The Specialty Team at your Whole Foods Market can help.
Chef Tools: Behold the Searzall opens in a new tab (insert Tim Allen grunt here) — the hottest chef tool everyone in food is talking about. Or, if your dad is a grill master, check out the Big Green Egg opens in a new tab! He’ll host parties just to show off one of these new toys.
Experience: Set up a tour of your dad’s favorite brewery (you get to go, too!). I did this at New Belgium Brewery with my dad and grandpa two years ago, and it’s one of my favorite memories — especially seeing my grandpa go down the slide at the end of the tour! Or, sign the two of you up for a hands-on knife skills class at your local Whole Foods Market (some stores offer this!) or cooking school.
Books: Does your dad like to read? Hook him up with one of these great food-related books: Cooked opens in a new tab by Michael Pollan or The Art of Fermentation opens in a new tab by Sander Ellix Katz. If he favors geography, history, and exploration, give him a guide to his favorite city. My top picks are Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas opens in a new tab and Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas opens in a new tab, both by Rebecca Solnit.
Last, but not least, I can’t leave out the gift card opens in a new tab from Whole Foods Market, which lets dad decide what he wants when he wants it!
These are just a few ideas to get your gift-giving gears turning. You know your dad best. If he’s like mine, he’ll be happy with anything that comes from you. Remember to have fun in the process, and cherish the reason for celebrating this special day!
What will you be doing this Father’s Day? Share your comments below!
