Article written by BY AMANDA GARRITY for Good Housekeeping
Sure, he says he wants nothing … but he hasn’t seen these clever ideas yet.
etsy, amazon
The man in your life doesn’t need another button-down. Or tie. Or picture frame. Instead, your hard-to-shop-for dad deserves a unique Father’s Day gift that’s just as creative and thoughtful as he is. That’s why you should ditch your original (er, boring) Father’s Day plan and give your special guy — dad, grandpa, father-in-law, or any other man who has shaped your life — one of these top-rated gift ideas, ranging from all-day experiences to best-selling, quick-to-ship Amazon finds. Even if your dad says that he doesn’t want anything (or worse, already has everything), you’ll find a few picks on this list that’ll surprise and delight him on his special day. And if you choose right, you might even bring the (happy) tears, which is a big win in our eyes.
avalon studio
Indoor Skydiving
Since dad always reminds you that the sky’s the limit, see if he practices what he preaches with two flights in a vertical wind tunnel. It’ll feel like the real thing minus the plane, parachute, and panic.
The only thing better than a downing a plate full of crispy, greasy bacon is receiving a crate full of it. This pre-packaged set is stuffed with different kinds of bacon, including complementary jam, brittle, and seasoning.
Let’s face it, you know that dad’s pup is really his favorite “kid.” Send one of the many dog photos he sends you to this Etsy seller, and they’ll make a custom print, complete with his best buddy’s name.
Dad and his kids will get a kick out of these interactive t-shirts. Each gift set comes with a two shirts (one for dad, one for his buddy), a matchbox car, and a “World’s Best Dad” certificate. Who needs a race track anyway?!
Sorry cat lovers, but the article by Camryn Rabideau says dogs. However, some items could be cat inclusive, like this one:
SureFlap Microchip Pet Door
Do you frequently feel like you’re a doorman for your dog? Save yourself the hassle of letting your pet in and out of the house all day with the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door, which retails for around $85. This high-tech door is designed to read your pet’s microchip. It only unlocks when an approved chip is in range, so you never have to worry about wildlife or stray animals getting into your home. You can even program the door to lock/unlock at specific times, in case you don’t want your pet outside at night or while you’re at work. No microchip? SureFlap also sells programmable collars you can use as an alternative. (Can’t cats be microchipped too ) ?
Or this one:
PetChatz Interactive Pet Camera
If you’ve ever wished you could video chat with your dog while you’re at work, now you can! The PetChatz Interactive Pet Camera is a videophone that lets you have two-way calls with your pet, and it can also dispense treats and calming aromatherapy scents. The main camera unit costs $350, and you can purchase separate “PawCall” buttons that allow your pet to call you. How cute is that ? OK, cute. Aren’t cats cute too ?
OK, this one is dog only. Really !
Bissell BarkBath
The Bissell BarkBath is a 2-in-1 portable dog wash and deep cleaner that can wash your carpet, furniture, upholstery or even your dog! The special spray nozzles get water down to your dog’s skin for a deep clean, all while providing gentle suction that pulls dirt and water back into a separate dirty water tank. This $200 system allows you to give your dog a bath just about anywhere without making a mess, and it can also be used as a portable carpet cleaner to boot.
Any self-respecting cat would turn up her nose before getting into this contraption (and head for the hills !)
Starting anything new can of course be daunting, but if you outfit yourself with the right gear, it can often give you the confidence you need. So whether you’re a brand-new gardener or a seasoned pro hoping to up your game, read on for some of the chicest gardening tools and accessories out there.
SOPHIE CONRAN ULTIMATE TOOL SET williams-sonoma.com $299.95 SHOP NOW
For the serious gardener, this soup-to-nuts tool set by Sophie Conran has it all.
RUSTY ROSE GARDEN HOSE gardenglory.com $99.00 SHOP NOW
Garden Glory’s hoses come in an array of fun, unexpected colors—as well as playful hooks like these antlers to mount them on.
WHITE CEDAR POTTING BENCH windandweather.com$399.95 SHOP NOW
A potting bench for storing all of your gear is an absolute must. This cedar option will do nicely.
SMALL SET OF GARDEN TOOLSSol & Lunasolxluna.com SHOP NOW
What says luxurious better than a set of leather-wrapped gardening tools?
HE’S A BONA FIDE ADULT AT 40—AND HE DESERVE’S A STYLISH WARDROBE THAT SAYS SO.
L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean
While you may instantly recognize L.L. Bean for their iconic boots (which tend to sell out every year by early winter, so move fast), know that the company has much, much more to offer. This handsome canvas briefcase, for example, effortlessly combines form and function with a padded laptop sleeve and easy-access outside pockets—and plenty of style, to boot. $149 AT L.L. BEAN
Brooks Brothers
They’ve dressed presidents. They’ve dressed movie stars. They’ve also dressed his colleagues on every rung of the career ladder. In short, if he’s not wearing Brooks Brothers dress shirts by now, he’s not doing it right. Pro tip: keep an eye out for holiday weekend sales, where you can generally pick up standard-issue button-downs for half off. $92 AT BROOKS BROTHERS BUY NOW
Rains
Rains
There comes a point in every man’s life when he realizes that rainy days don’t have to mean donning a waterproof coat that tanks an entire look. Fortunately, Rains has developed a line of sleek, minimalistic rain jackets whose cuts and colors can complement practically any man’s style, won’t make him feel overheated, and—shocker—actually keep’s him dry! $125 AT RAINS BUY NOW
Filson
Filson
Whether he’s hiking up a mountain or just walking across the street in winter, it’s important to have high-performance outdoor apparel in his wardrobe that actually looks great. That’s where Filson comes in: From flannels to footwear, their frontier-meets-Fifth-Avenue look is only made better by the fact that their gear is as functional and durable as advertised. If he need’s an easy place to start, grab one of their solid beanies before dipping into their wide range of gear, which includes everything from basic t-shirts and pants to fishing vests. And if his cold weather gear could use a refresh, check out The 20 Best Winter Coats for Men. $45AT FILSON BUY NOW
Scotch & Soda
While getting older does involve some closet culling, hitting your 40s doesn’t mean you should pare down to just solid color tees and dad jeans. Scotch & Soda offers the kind of cuts and patterns that maintain a youthfully stylish look while injecting a composed maturity. This striped shirt is just one example of their versatile options that will keep him out of the demure clothing doldrums. $98AT SCOTCH & SODA BUY NOW
Seiko
We get it: kickstarting a timepiece collection, especially if you’re buying online, is a daunting proposition. A few poor choices and you’re thousands of dollars in the hole. That’s where Seiko can save the day: Of all the many watch brands on the planet, none can match their sheer range and approachably priced options. So, if he want’s to test-drive a timepiece that’s a little bit edgier than your usual style—like, say, a chronograph with funky rose-gold hands, a topographical face, and oversized numerals—he can do so at a relatively low-risk cost. When he’s ready to upgrade to a Rolex-grade version, he can check out the company’s Grand Seiko look book, where you’ll find top-notch watches (and four- or five-figure price tags to match).$395 $130 AT JOMASHOP BUY NOW
From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. Give this iconic book that has become a keepsake tradition to a special graduate this year, or anyone starting a new phase in their life.
Remember that very first school milestone for years to come. Place a 4×6-inch photo of your 2020 preschool or kindergarten graduate in this fun ceramic picture frame decorated with whimsical illustrations of school supplies. Treasure the sweet moment with this wonderful memento.
2020 Graduation Tassel Keeper Shadow Box Frame. Give your grad a gift they can use to remember their big accomplishment for years to come.
2020 Graduation Picture Frame, 5×7
College Survival Guide: Tips, Tricks, And a Little Financial Aid Book
There you are. I chose Hallmark because their stores are everywhere and in many states are open, or soon will be.
Dads can be hard to shop for. I usually take the practical route when it comes to Father’s Day gifts: Items like grilling supplies, power tools, or a sports jersey are all gifts I know he’ll use frequently, even if they’re not the most personal. But after spending so much time apart due to shelter-in-place orders, this year I wanted to give him something that would mean a little more. These heartfelt gift ideas will let your dad know how much he means to you, especially if you’re celebrating apart. Skip the traditional tie, order the perfect Father’s Day card, and give him something sweet and sentimental.
Adventure Print
For the dad who loves to travel, order an art print that combines all his favorite places. This print is available in five sizes and can be customized with up to ten locations. Have it made with maps of places you like to hike together, or combine your hometown with your extended family’s hometowns for a commemorative print of all the places your family is from.
While my parents have been sheltering-in-place, my dad’s been digitizing old family photos and videos to share with the family. If you have a lot of family memories hidden away in the basement, use Legacybox to turn them into digital files Dad can put on his tablet or computer to look at whenever he wants. Or, give him a subscription to the service so he can choose what to send in. All you do is box up the original slides, photos, and tapes, and the experts at Legacybox will digitize them for you and mail the originals back.
While this is certainly more of a fun gift than a practical one, it will definitely keep him busy during quarantine. This gift idea from TheNew York Times turns any date into a meaningful activity by turning the front page of the paper into a 300, 500, or 1000-piece puzzle. Get one of Dad’s birthday or the day he became a father.
Commemorate a special family memory by turning it into a framed piece of art from Shutterfly. Whether you choose a family photo or a snapshot from your most recent vacation together, you can add text to your image (like your family’s name or the vacation spot) to personalize the print even more.
If Dad enjoys the occasional glass of whiskey, get him a glass with a special meaning. These 11-ounce rocks glasses are etched with the map coordinates of different cities and are available in dozens of styles and locations, so you can pick one that will mean the most to Dad. If he’s not a big drinker, get him a hometown coffee mug instead of a whiskey glass.
Photo books aren’t just for Mother’s Day! These gorgeous fabric-bound books are made to fill all of life’s best memories, and Dad will cherish the collection of prints you choose. Include photos of your favorite memories with Dad, or fill the book with pictures of his grandkids.
Give Dad something to commemorate a school or sports team you both support. I grew up going to college basketball games with my dad, so anything in the new Collegiate Collection from Catstudio is a no-brainer. Get him a set of towels for his next tailgate, or order an art print he can display at his desk. When sporting events come back, you’ll have the perfect excuse for a watch party.