8 Thoughtful Father’s Day Gifts That Aren’t Ties
Kevin Larose
In 2000, after roughly two decades of hard work and success in sales and business ownership, Kevin decided to follow his heart into real estate...
In 2000, after roughly two decades of hard work and success in sales and business ownership, Kevin decided to follow his heart into real estate...
There’s something about Father’s Day that gives even the most thoughtful among us a case of “gifter’s block.” Perhaps this is why Father’s Day gifts usually border on the cliche — like a tie bought in a rush, or a random item featuring his favourite sports team’s logo. Instead, make 2019 the year this tradition ends. Here’s a list of gifts dad will actually love to receive, from little luxuries that’ll make his day to trips that’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
He might not directly say he’s into self-care, but he knows the concept on a physical level. In other words: Your dad needs a break. While he’d never use the word “pampering,” these gifts help recharge his batteries — whether he realizes it or not.
1. NES Classic Edition
A miniaturized version of the 1985 game system, the NES Classic Edition will definitely bring him back to his glory days of gaming. Designed to plug into any TV, the easy-to-set up console comes ready to play with 30 games (including old favourites like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong and Kirby’s Adventure). Also cool: You can play using different Display Modes, like a CRT filter (which replicates the experience of playing on an old TV) or Pixel-Perfect (each pixel is a perfect square for crystal-clear visuals).
2. Sonos One
Bluetooth speakers can be hit-or-miss for quality, but the Sonos One proves to be an exception. It delivers a quality audio experience while being controlled with your voice thanks to Amazon's Alexa. Dad will absolutely love having this new virtual assistant in the home, play music, get news, information, sports scores, even make calls. Just ask!
3. Yeti Rambler 30-oz Tumbler
He might have the brand’s signature cooler already, or he already knows everything about how they can keep anything at the perfect temperature for days on end. The tumbler does the exact same thing, whether he wants to keep his morning cup of coffee hot all day long or wants to keep his Saturday brew of choice chilled to perfection even after he leaves it in the sun for his afternoon nap. Fun fact: Someone very wise discovered that a pint of ice cream perfectly fits inside this design, carton and all.
Pro Tip: Yeti also offers customization options, like logos, monograms, and personalized messages. We’ll leave it up to you whether to go with something sentimental or sarcastic.
4. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
Let’s be honest, your dad looks like a geek in AirPods. And while we’re not saying he’s losing his hearing, these Bose headphones are known to have supreme sound quality. Plus these headphones have noise-cancelling technology. A little peace & quiet might be the perfect gift this year.
5. A Good Pen
For some reason, many dads appreciate a fine writing instrument the way others would appreciate a work of art. Give him something a little nicer than those $2-for-10 pens with the Shinola Tactile Turn Titanium Glider Pen. It’s designed with a perfect balance for an effortless writing experience
Pro Tip: The real spirit of this gift is upgrading something he uses every day. If your father isn’t the letter-writing type, maybe opt for a nicer version of grilling accessories, kitchen gear (especially high-quality knives), or his favorite tool (tactical flashlights are another dad-pleaser).
6. Craft a Better Beer Experience
It’s not about buying just his favourite six-pack. Instead, fill the biggest gift basket, cooler or tub with his favourite brews. For a little more variety, pack a few clever beer-lover accessories from Uncommon Goods.
Pro Tip: If you think your dad would like to try some new brews straight from the tap, there’s a cool new way to make it happen (without having to turn the garage into a home brewing laboratory). Meet Hopsy. Part beer-of-the-month club, part Keurig-for-craft-brews, Hopsy is a great way for your dad to try new beers from around the country without hunting them down at the nearest convenience store.
7. Track Day
He doesn’t have to be a big race car enthusiast to understand the thrill of driving around the track at top speeds. The ILR Car Control School offers an excellent introduction to the world of high-performance driving. Learn the skills and techniques required to be competitive in competitions such as Time Attack (Solo I), Lapping Days or Road Racing.
Pro Tip: If there isn’t a racetrack near you, consider picking up the new Oculus Quest or other VR tech, where he can drive a racecar from anywhere.
8. A Trip to Galaxy’s Edge
If your dad has long loved the Star Wars franchise, let him live his dream at Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney World. Each is a “land” at their respective theme parks, but they’re not just a ride or two with some clever decor. Instead, each offers a completely immersive experience into all things Star Wars — even the bottled water is themed. There, he can pilot the Millennium Falcon, take a seat at Oga’s Cantina, or finally sample the famous Blue Milk.
Pro Tip: Bring a little extra money - for $199, you can build your very own Lightsaber.