Father’s Day is coming up on June 21 and unlike other sites that run their gift guides a week before, we wanted to give you ample time to suss out the perfect gifts for the dads in your life. Here are some of our favourites:
From Beth-Anne
This is a luxury item that dads are unlikely to splurge on for themselves but if they are a music lover nothing compares. Whether they are used for intense workouts at the gym, running outdoors or walking to and from the office, these Bluetooth-enabled earphones are unbeatable. Powerbeats™ 2 Wireless earphones are available at Indigo, $219.95.
I saw Dan Buettner featured on a popular news magazine show. He was visiting the Greek island of Ikaria, interviewing inhabitants and experts alike on the secrets to a long, healthy life. While the wisdom may not be surprising, it’s worth giving Dad the blueprints to longevity! The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons For Living Longer from the people who’ve lived the longest and The Blue Zones Solution: Eating And Living Like The World’s Healthiest People by Dan Buettner available at Indigo $12.24 and $21.05.
I like giving t-shirts. Among my favourites are the ironic ones from places like Drake General Store or the city-scapes I found at the One of a Kind Show. We featured this shirt for the hockey-lover as part of Giving Guide in December and it was a favourite of our readers too. What do you think about this one from ebollo on Etsy? Not sure it would get much wear, but the message is indisputable!
I love the idea of giving experiences. For Mother’s Day, we went for a fancy-schmancy French dinner (no sweaties allowed!) and the boys truly impressed me with their manners (there may have been some threats uttered before we left the house) and the memory will stay with me much longer than anything material ever could. If the dad in your life is completely stressed out, get him a pass to a Restorative yoga class. The pace is gentle, slow and more relaxing than any massage, plus it’s good for him! The Culture Pearl has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the city. Recently she wrote about her experience in a skydiving simulator but if that’s not his thing, a luxury car rental for the day may be!
From Nathalie:
You could have knocked me over with a feather when my brother told me about his date night spent painting a picture. I had never heard of social painting, but I would have bet money he’d be the last person to do something like that. He did, and he loved it. Social painting is a guided lesson in painting in a group setting with cocktails and music and fun. So, whether the dad in your life is artistic or not, look into a painting party. Art Tonite has weekly sessions in various locations around Toronto.
My boys paint ties for their dad every year. It takes a special kind of man to wear these proudly, and my husband is one of them! He gets lots of compliments.
Real Canadian Superstores has some great gear for dads, like a portable bbq, perfect for camping or tailgate parties. It folds up for easy transportation and storage.
I love the idea of these solar powered Mason jar lanterns for the Green Dad, available from Home Depot. They look great in the daylight, too, as they are silvered and glitter in the sunlight.
From Carol
A unique and sure-winner for the beer-loving man, give him the gift of home brew! Brew North is Toronto’s newest and best home brewing supply shop, carrying all the equipment, ingredients, and kits needed to make a really good beer whether you’re a novice or experienced brewer.
And for more culinary delights, how about a taking a class on cheese tasting? Enter night school for cheese fans at the Leslieville Cheese Market. Fun, delicious, and perfect for a special night out.
4 Mothers 