Accepting the Father’s Day gift challenge
Choosing a gift for a man, whether for Father’s Day or his birthday, often presents a challenge. What can you get him that he won’t exchange? These gift ideas below may just provide the answer you’re looking for.
1. Bacon Crate
Man Crates offers a number of crated packages that will appeal to the special guy in your life. One of which is sure to please — the Bacon Crate. Portable bacon-flavored snacks, such as jerky, provide the bacon fix. The crate comes with two 2-ounce packs of Carnivore Candy’s Jalapeno and Old-Fashioned Maple Bacon Jerky, a Bourbon Pancake Seasoning Grinder, Sir Francis Bacon Peanut Brittle to sweeten things up, and Terrapin Ridge Farms Hot Pepper Bacon Jam to bring the heat. Part of the fun of this gift is the challenge of trying to open the firmly sealed wooden crate. A laser-etched crowbar is provided to help, but patience will also be needed. Available for $59.99 plus shipping at mancrates.com.
2. Shiatsu Massager Pillow with Heat
If you’ve heard your man complain about the pain in his neck, hook it him up to this massage pillow. The Mo Cuishle Shiatsu Massager Pillow with deep kneading massage and heat therapy provides gentle warmth that will let him enjoy a Shiatsu-style massage for neck or back pain — right at home. The ergonomic construction fits in the small of the back or neck. Four massage nodes rotate and change directions every minute relieving aches, knots and muscle tension. The infrared heating mode adds gentle warmth to enhance blood circulation and soothe muscles. Elastic straps are easy to use and enable the massager to be tied on an office chair, sofa and car seat. Available at amazon.com for $39.99.
3. Bloody Mary Diagram Glasses
Does your fellow enjoy the eye-opener cocktail, the Bloody Mary? Artist Alyson Thomas’ original artwork on these bright Bloody Mary glasses combines whimsy with the ingredients for the satisfyingly piquant brunch favorite. The design is hand-drawn on functional pint glasses with a playful formula rendering of the drink’s essential components: tomato juice, vodka, lemon, celery, and dashes (layers) of seasonings, all in relative proportions to mix a perfectly savory Bloody Mary. Check out the artist’s diagrams for other popular libations, including scotch and soda, the martini and margaritas. Made in the U.S., the set of two Bloody Mary glasses is $25 at uncommongoods.com.
4. Copper River Knife
Your favorite man will appreciate this uniquely handsome yet useful knife. Metal artist Alexandra Paliwoda’s hand-forged tool was inspired by the ulu, an all-purpose knife used by the Inuit people for a wide range of tasks — from chopping food to shaping blocks of ice to build igloos. A curved, easy-grip handle and beveled blade allow the knife to make quick work of fresh herbs, hard cheeses, and crispy pizza. And the hand-forged, notched-steel stand offers convenient storage and display. The design is inspired by the Copper River as it flows through the untamed wilderness from its base at the Copper Glacier in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The back of each piece is hand-stamped with the artist’s signature, an anvil with mountains and trees. Handmade in Idaho, the knife is $55 at uncommongoods.com.
5. GQ Best Stuff Box
GQ Magazine has put together a quarterly seasonal subscription box featuring products their editors have tested and swear by. The Stuff Box is a great way for dad or any man to learn about new lifestyle and personal products, and draws men into the subscription box fun. Each box promises to be valued at over $200 and is filled with items from toiletries and grooming supplies to electronics and accessories. The highlight of the Summer Box 2021 is a pair of RAEN sunglasses — which normally sell for $150. Among other goodies are eye cream, a steel straw for iced drinks, and a set of GQdesigned waterproof bags for keeping things dry on his summer adventures.
Purchase only the Summer Box 2021 for $50, or get the four-box seasonal subscription for $190, with free shipping, at beststuffbox.gq.com.