No Excuses: Best Ideas for Father’s Day Gifts

If you’re like me, Father’s Day is a time of stress. My husband is hard to shop for. For whatever reason, he doesn’t get as riled up about a pair of shoes as I do (!!!!). And buying him another gift card is a total snooze-fest. So this year, I’ve done my research – as well as some for you – so that hopefully, you can find him something interesting – and perhaps a tad quirky – that will make this year stand out.

For the foodie: A wine, beer, scotch or tequila club membership. Sign up for Tewksbury Fine Wine & Spirits club and your hubby will get a monthly hand selected group of liquor beautifully wrapped with detailed insights about how the product is made, its characteristics, food pairings and the region it is from.  Go to www.tewksburyfinewine.com. If you don’t want a whole bottle, try a world-class wine by the glass. The TastingRoom.com enables consumers to enjoy a single 100 ml serving (3.4 oz.) of some of the world’s best wines without having to open an entire bottle or step foot out of your home.  Go to www.tastingroom.com.  Dads with a sweet tooth might like something baked from scratch from the Dancing Deer Baking Company (www.DancingDeer.com) where you can choose among “Monthly Munchies” like brownies or cookies. Foodie Dads into gourmet olive oils might like a gift box of from Olierie: www.oilerie.com. Or for those planning to grill on Sunday, why not order some steaks from New York Prime Meats, a gourmet steak store that’s been in business for more than 60 years: www.newyorkprimemeats.com. All steaks are dry-aged and USDA Prime.

For the outdoor Dad: With summer upon us, consider a canoe. The limited edition Merrimack eco-canoe is hand-built using the finest carbon-fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass fabrics. The result is a strong, lightweight canoe that is as much a pleasure to look at as it is to paddle.  And when Dad needs to relax, consider a hammock from Eagles Nest Outfitters: www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com.

For the tech-o-phile:  Anything from The Sharper Image: But in particular: the RTA-SI2010 Foldable Lap-table which offers desk space for planes, trains and couches: http://rtaproducts.com/products/rta-si2010.htm. For the trendy, music-loving dad, the RTA-SIM1102 Stereo Desk, incorporates two HiFi speakers so your hubby can play high-quality stereo music from his computer, iPod or iPad. Go here to view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED9FKGq4Zo8. For those men who can’t stand the noise, consider noise cancelling headphones from Able Planet; www.ableplanet.com

For the golfer: A golf getaway. Take care of the reservations to his favorite golf course, or find a new one (Travelocity or your travel agent can help). Or, for something simpler (and less expensive): Check out DAWGS Golf Spirit (www.dawgsgolf.com), supposedly the world’s lightest golf shoe.

For the nostalgic: Relieve radio days with Grace Digital Audio’s Victoria Nostalgic Internet Radio. It has the look and feel of a 1940’s vintage radio with all the modern day internet services including Pandora, SiriusXM, Rhapsody, and DAR.fm: www.GraceDigitalAudio.com.

For the neatnick: A wallet case for his iPhone 4/4S. Look up the Q Card Case at www.cm4.com or amazon.

For the eco-conscious yoga Dad:  Manduka’s line of eKO mats are made from non-Amazon harvested natural tree rubber, with organic non-toxic foaming agents; ideal for making better Dad’s practice and our planet better. http://bit.ly/HwKPYC.

For the baseball enthusiast: If dad loves baseball and roots for teams in New York, Boston or Chicago, then Underground Signs are a fun Father’s Day gift.  (Signs can also be made for dad’s home or office subway stop). Go to www.underground-signs.com. Another option: A ballparks gift book (http://www.graciousstyle.com/buy/ballparks-leather-cover)crammed with history and facts featuring America’s hallowed playing fields.

For the cigar lover:  London Cut Private Label Cigars that can be customized with his own private label.  Some are even infused with bourbon: Did that grab your attention? www.londoncutcigars.com.

For the fisherman: Make his a perfect catch with this small fishing rod that fits into his shirt pocket: www.gadgetsandgear.com/small-fishing-rod.html.

For the dad who has everything: What about a piece of the Italian countryside through Nudo’s Adopt-An-Olive-Tree program? Nudo is a family-run co-operative between 12 small, artisanal olive producers in Le Marche, Italy. By adopting a tree, Dad gets:

• A personalized adoption certificate and information booklet that describes the tree,

• Four 500ml tins of first cold press extra virgin olive oil from the tree in the spring (mid-April),

• Three 250ml tins of infused extra virgin olive oil (i.e. lemon, chile, orange) in the fall,

• An open invitation to come and visit, hug or water the tree in person.

Go to www.nudo-italia.com.

Sharing is caring!