LET’S HEAR it for fathers. The ones I know (and have known) step up to solve home emergencies, be it a leaky bathtub faucet or a raccoon in the attic. They take the kids grocery shopping (so Mom doesn’t have to) and reward them afterwards with Dunkin’ Donuts munchkins. They help them with homework (even baffling math), cook their favorite meals (ranging from simple buttered noodles to chicken Milanese), pick them up from soccer and/or ballet, listen to them practicing the flute, teach them how to ski, sit patiently through their tennis matches and are always available to kiss or dress a wound, physical or emotional. Not all that different from moms.
What to get them for Father’s Day, that is the question. Of course, there are the usual suspects—golf balls and grilling paraphernalia and such (nothing wrong with going with the tried and true). But based on the knowledge of what our own guys would like, we’ve come up with a personal list of suggestions. With any luck, some of these might be exactly what you’re looking for.
—Janet Kelly
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Socks with eye-catching colors and quirky patterns come courtesy of Wales-based company Corgi, which started out as a sock maker for local miners. Today it supplies the Prince of Wales with luxe socks, along with other knitted goods. Make your guy feel princely with a pair of the British brand’s cotton and nylon Dog Motif Stretch-Cotton Mid-Calf Socks. $35, Barneys.
Author of bestseller A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman’s first nonfiction book, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, is full of belly laughs about the perils of fatherhood/parenthood that anyone with or without children can relate to. $24, Barnes & Noble.
The next best thing to a barber shop shave with a hot towel: Gillette Labs’ Heated Razor. It distributes heat quickly and evenly through a stainless-steel warming bar. And he can sing in the shower while shaving. It’s waterproof. $200.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay E8 2.0 Truly Wireless earbuds (.9 -by-.78 -by-.98 inches) bring the gift of music on the go. Tap on the earpiece to start/stop, change tracks and more. The wireless compact charging case holds three full charges to make sure the beat goes on. And for the best fit, five different ear tips are included. Available in black, natural, indigo blue, limestone and pink. $350.
Handmade in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in a variety of widths, Maximum Henry belts ($105-$135) come in as many as 20 yummy colors. Who couldn’t use a new belt, especially one that’s this good looking?
Delight your favorite Sunday morning chef with this Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker. It makes one large waffle on its nonstick baking surface (3.31 inches high x 9.69 inches wide x 7.88 inches deep). The five-setting browning control lets him regulate the crispness factor. $29.99.
The small works of art from Boulder, Colorado-based puzzle maker extraordinaire Liberty are a joy for the puzzle lover. The 486-piece, 12.75-by-16.75-inch Boats by Lindsey (left, $95) was conceived by a contemporary Indianapolis artist. Every Liberty puzzle contains dozens of hand-drawn, 1/4-inch plywood pieces (right), intricately cut into the shapes of characters, animals and geometric designs.
Japanese glass blower Kazumi Tsuji founded her own glass studio—factory zoomer—where she creates these patterned bowls using a technique called fire polishing. An artful gift that will come in handy for serving sake, whisky or ice cream. $90 each.
Tell him Orlebar Brown’s Dr. No 007 Riviera Towelling Polo was inspired by one James Bond wore in “Dr. No” (1962) when he meets Honey Ryder on the beach in Jamaica. How’s that for irresistible? $245.
LEFT: Yes, Tivoli Audio’s PAL BT is an adorable-looking radio, but in addition to listening to his favorite radio stations on its AM/FM tuner, the Bluetooth technology-enabled device also lets him hear his preferred tunes. Available in black, blue, white and red (shown above). $179. RIGHT: Does he hate cold coffee and lukewarm water? The double-wall vacuum insulation of the Yeti 30 oz. Rambler Tumbler with MagSlider Lid keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. And it fits comfortably in his car, boat or truck cup holder. The smooth-sliding lid protects from splashes when driving on bumpy roads or waters. Available in eight other colors, $34.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods.
If that guy you want to gift is particular about how his eggs and bacon are cooked, he’ll be ecstatic with the results from this Zwilling Carrara Nonstick Ceramic Fry Pan. Moreover, the coating is environmentally friendly, the pan needs only a touch of oil for searing and browning, cooks evenly and is easy to clean. And the handle stays cool. A 10-incher is $59. A set of 8-, 10- and 11-inch pans is reduced to $107 from $142 at Food52.
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