Fathers – they’re notoriously tough to buy for. How are we supposed to show our love and appreciation for people who say “I don’t really need anything?”
Dads also have something else in common: their almost universal love of nature. Especially this time of year, when the woods, parks, rivers, beaches, and campgrounds are calling. Here are a few ideas — for material goods as well as experiential gifts —that’ll have your favorite patriarch putting the ‘great’ back in the great outdoors.
A pillow that makes camping actually comfy. Yes, it’s possible to come home from a camping trip without suffering a crooked neck or back for two weeks. The HEST pillow ($89 on hest.com) employs enhanced memory foam — like the kind used in home mattresses and pillows — in a portable and adventure-ready design that zips right up in a compact and easy-to-carry case that’s machine-washable and dirt- and water-resistant. The pillow is also curved to fit dad’s head and neck, so he’ll sleep like a baby — even in the wild.
Tell him to go fish. Instead of listening to him gripe about the one that got away, give him a whole school of fish to cozy up to. I love the cool design on the new Herring Run Blanket ($135 on chappywrap.com) – -it’s an ode to the new school of herring that comes back to Cape Cod and the islands every spring. The 60” X 80” blanket is super soft, machine washable, durable enough to him to use on fishing trips or in the house, and is resistant to shrinking, pilling, and fuzz.
Go whole hog on the big day. On the holiday itself, why make him stand over a hot grill? Instead take him and the family outside to The Yard at The Liberty Hotel for its Annual Father’s Day Pig Roast ($85 for one adult cookout meal, $25 for children 12 years or under, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-fathers-day-artisan-pig-roast-tickets-635529354407?aff=ebdsoporgprofile). Starting at 3 p.m., the party will include a whole roasted suckling pig served with slow-cooked St. Louis pork ribs, spicy creole shrimp, cheddar grits, loads of other sides, banana splits, and live music.
A sweet way to get his golf on. Dad loves his chocolate, right? And he’s also always ready to tee up. So give both in one swing: Harbor Sweets has made a nifty and tasty Golf Collection ($36 for 24 pieces on harborsweets.com). The gift box holds gold-wrapped dark chocolates covering almond butter crunch toffee, peppermint crunch, and butter caramel, each one imprinted with golf designs like clubs, bags, players, and all kinds of other visuals to inspire his game.
Help him redefine the before-dinner drink. Just because Dad loves the outdoors doesn’t mean he’s still not a gentleman. So give him something to keep his cocktail cold for hours, and do so in simple-yet-dashing style. The Rambler 10 Oz. Stackable Lowball ($20 on yeti.com) covers all of the above bases and is leak-proof and dishwasher-safe. It also comes in a bunch of cool colors, including new limited editions like the hot Rescue Red — bright enough to be easily found if it gets dropped, and therefore never, ever lost in the woods.
