You know what most Dad’s don’t want for Father’s Day? Their kids spending a ton of cash on them. Some dads don’t want anything other than a little peace and quiet. But there are those who want to give something to the father (or fathers) in their life to show their appreciation for what they do. Options for the many “types” of father’s follow, all of which won’t leave him annoyed that you spent too much hard earned money, just to recognize the fact he once created life during a game of hide the salami.
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The Outdoorsman: Timex Expedition 100m Military – $39.99 – $43.99
Help him lose the ol’ digital he’s been relying on all these years. This one can be found at Target, has some real nice military inspired styling, and is water resistant to 100m. Indiglo as well. And it’ll blend in a little better than that digital or calculator watch once he gets back in the city.
The Dressed Down Dad: The Thomas Belt – $29.00
Even if you’re not a Dad, it’s hard not to want this thing. There’s a ton of web belts out there, and the vast majority of them just don’t get it all right. They’re a little too bright, a little too wimpy looking, a little too… you get the idea. This one hits all the right points. Plenty tough but has just enough color. Top grain leather accents. Made in the USA and ships free through Maxton Men.
The Dressed Up Dad: Nautica Knot or Button Cufflinks – $28 w/ SUMMER
There are some awfully clunky looking metallic cufflinks out there. These keep it slim and simple. The knots are classic and the silver tone button shaped cufflinks are a great not-too-serious change of pace. Extra 20% off with the code SUMMER, and know that you get one or the other, not both for the price.
The “Supports a Cause” Dad: Pin Down Bladder Cancer Lapel Pin – $20
That just might be one of the best looking lapel pins with some color ever. Incredibly affordable, ships free through Bonobos, and supports a great cause. Bladder cancer is the 4th most common cancer among men. More info here: pindownbladdercancer.org.
The Shoe Loving Dad: Rosewood Stain Shoe Horn – $8.89
| Leather Shoe Horn – $28
Luxury is having a crap ton of really nice shoes. Ultimate luxury is having either a leather covered shoe horn, or, a shoe horn long enough that you don’t have to bend yourself over to put on those great looking shoes.
The Coffee Lover: Swissgold KF 300 One-Cup Permanent Filter – $19.99
Perfect for when someone else in the house has stolen the last cup out of the pot, you’re in a hurry and just want one for the road, or you’re looking for a quick afternoon pick-me-up. This thing goes on top of your mug, no paper filter neccessary. Put the grounds in, pour hot water over them, and a water regulator makes sure it brews right. Genius. Sold out through Amazon
The Drinker: Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth – $31.99
The default gift for this type of guy is a bottle of scotch or bourbon. He’s probably been gifted enough bottles of good stuff to give half of Glasgow cirrhosis, so go for something different. Carpano is as good as it gets and it makes a hell of a partner for a good rye in a Manhattan. And speaking of, get him some real preserved cherries for him to use instead of those unnaturally red ice-cream sundae cherries. More on the vermouth here. Photo Credit.
The Sports Lover: Mitchel & Ness Felt Pennant – $19.99
Classic sports memorabilia can double as Americana Art. Michell and Ness is a company that specializes in these kinds of things, and their wool felt pennants look incredible and are Made in the USA. More options at the actual Mitchell & Ness website here.
The Reader: A collection of vintage books from his favorite author/genre
Head to a few thrift stores. They’re usually overflowing with books. Maybe he has a favorite author, a favorite genre, or both. Head to Amazon and plug in his favorite book/author, and look around to see what other people had purchased to find similar titles and authors. There’s just something about an old used book that makes you want to read a familiar story, or type of story, again.
The Traveler: Saddleback Leather Luggage Tag – $19.00
“Dad, this luggage tag has a 100 year warranty, so, it’s going to outlive you. By like, a lot.”
“Gee whiz son, thanks for pointing that out.”
The “had a mid-life-crisis bought a fast car” Dad: Brooks Brothers Keychain – $14.99
Or, maybe he just has a toy like a boat, fast car, or something else that requires keys. It’s special to him right? It’s fun? Make sure he’s got a slick key chain on his rig’s keys to remind him of how good he has it, even when he’s away from his fast moving expensive thing.
The Fat Wallet Dad: KCNY Money Clip – $20.79 | NM Card Case – $18.75
Also known as the George Costanza wallet. He’s been trying to slim that thing down for ages, but just never got there. At least this combo will help when he’s suited up and out on the town. The Kenneth Cole Money Clip is slim, the top texture is small and unobtrusive, and there’s a barely there logo on the underside. The card case is from LastCall but sold through their Ebay store. Might get cheaper the next time they run a sale on the main site?
The Thinker: AoM’s Manvotionals – $14.99
What does it really mean to be “a man”? Brett and the team at Art of Manliness gathered some of the greatest advice on living a manly life from the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Aristotle, and more.
UPDATE: Or, for $20, you can get this package through Amazon
The Apple Dad: J. Crew Leather or Suede iPhone Case – $38.00
One of the few ways to man-up the iPhone. Available in a real slick cognac leather, or a rich brown suede. Blue leather also available.
The Technophobe: iPhone Handset – $19.99
Some dads are gadget guys. Some dads hate every new fangled piece of technology that comes out. Requires a sense of humor, but c’mon, this would be sweet to pull out and use from time to time.
The guy that’s impossible to buy for: Field Jerky 4 pack – $23
When in doubt, always go with a bag of meat. Field Jerky is as natural and real as it gets. On sale through Huckberry and available in two flavors. You can get two of each in a combo pack, or, splurge and get him an 8-pack or combo of 4 +4. A nice addition to the bag o’ meat present is a knife. This’ll do nicely for $9.99.
Got another suggestion? Are you a Dad yourself? What was the best Father’s Day gift you ever gave or recieved? Leave it all in the comments, and happy Dad’s Day to all the Dad Dappered Readers. Top photo credit: Tony Alter
Great list. I especially think the categorization for those key-chains is spot on. Hope all the father’s out there have a great Father’s Day.
Just a heads up, the Art of Manliness “Manvotionals” is bundled with a number of AoM goodies for just 20 dollars on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1440322481/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=stucosuccess-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1440322481
Coasters, 2 books and a cool looking case. Great buy in my opinion.
Perfect gifts for father’s! I must say all of those gifts prices are very good and affordable as well. Thanks for nice allocation.
My dad is a hands on guy (loves fixing things and doing home improvement) so I’m looking for either some type of tool or accessory for this tools. Home Depot, here i come.
Aside – my cousin in LA is the marketing director for Wheelman and Co. Awesome for them to be featured here
‘When in doubt always go with a bag of meat’ – truer words were never written.
I have that exact key fob from Brooks Brothers. But I don’t have a fast car yet.
Its excellent.
How about a 1 month subscription to FreshNeck.com. $25. Unlimited ties. Choose. Wear. Exchange.
I’ve always felt that quality vermouth mattered, but it wasn’t until a buddy mixed me a boulevardier with Carpano Antica that I realized just how much it can matter. Buy it.
You mean neckflix?
http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2012/01/some-dude-stole-the-leagues-idea-for-netflix-with-ties
The J Crew case really nails it. The leather seasons well too. I’ve had one for a few weeks and it collects compliments like I used to collect pogs.
Take that for what it’s worth…
One more thought that fits this list: a true Swiss Army pocket knife. 15-30 dollars and you can get one with just about any tool combination you desire.
Shirt Stays. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utlA239RLDg
I like that iphone case, but the quality isn’t the best. The edge (glue?) wears out kind of quickly, and strips the leather off. Other than that, it’s real leather, and for the 3 months that I had it, the leather went from a cognac brown to a darker brown, especially in the regions I handled it more. It looked really nice.
The 100-year warranty thing is kind of a silly notion, given that Saddleback Leather Co. will likely not survive the next 100 years.
Nice! And coasters too. Updated above. Thanks sir…
Some really good choices. Love the pennants.
That dad in the photo looks like he could use a New York Sour.
Ditto on the Carpano Antica. It has a million flavors going on, and all of them great.
Nice try with the watch, but the date numerals on that Timex are not NEARLY big enough for the dads I know. What else ya got?
Pfft! How about a gift certificate to lens crafters. Child please.