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After the success of the first-ever What I’m Digging Wednesday, Mother’s Day Edition, it only stands to reason that I would put together an equally impressive version for the dads, appropriately entitled What I’m Digging Wednesday, Father’s Day Edition. (Because I am nothing if not a captain of the obvious).
I am excited about this one for a lot of reasons, too. I always feel a little bad for the dads when Father’s Day rolls around. First of all, school is mostly out of session so they don’t get the same “What I Love About Mom” and pasta-shell necklaces that their kids make in school to hand over to mom on Sunday morning. Also, it seems that the push for Mother’s Day is always just a bit more commercial than it is for dads. Jewelry, perfume, and luxury items are touted as the perfect gift for the mom who deserves it all. Whereas for dad, you will get a power tool and be happy about it, Dude.
And that doesn’t seem fair.
I also feel, after my first-ever What Dude’s Are Digging segment that y’all really liked, that sometimes we just don’t have the time or the ability to research cool things for men. Because a much larger advertising dollar is spent trying to capture women’s attention (because they’re the ones purchasing more for their households), unique items for men just seem to fall by the wayside and poor old dad gets stuck with another tie, another golf shirt, or a pair of socks.
Not this year, though. Because Dads of the world, I’ve got you covered. As I did with the Mother’s Day Edition, I wanted to focus on smaller retailers and unique gifts for every dad. I tried to steer clear of Amazon and Target as much as I could, using them only as a last resort (and for two particular items that Jeff personally loves and can vouch for), and I did my best to gather items from every budget. I hope you find something you love for the dad in your life in this list, and I can’t wait to hear all about which ones were your faves.
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Dollar Shave Club: Every year of my childhood I would get my dad a bottle of Old Spice Aftershave for Father’s Day. To this day, if I catch a whiff of that iconic smell, I am transported back to a much simpler time with my dad and that white bottle. Now, dads of today probably aren’t as sold on smelling like their dads, however, they all can still appreciate a good shave without spending an arm and a leg. Enter Dollar Shave Club and the perfect Father’s Day Gift upgrade. A subscription service, DSC puts quality shaving products on your doorstep for reasonable prices every month. For Father’s Day, there are gift sets to cover all your needs or you can simply gift your guy a monthly shave kit with a subscription. Personally, I love the flexibility DCS offers and the prices for quality products cannot be beaten. For the dad who loves his clean shave, head on over to Dollar Shave Club and give him the gift that keeps on giving.
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The MegaDad Personalized Comic Book: Looking for something for your comic book-loving kid to give to his or her dad or simply looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate your very own superhero dad? Look no further! This personalized comic book is from my favorite unique goods dealer, Uncommon Goods, and is such a fun way to celebrate the dad in your life and make them feel like the main character in their very own Marvel epic for just one day. As a book lover myself, I love the idea of a personalized book of any kind, and this one just speaks to the relationship between a father and his kids–how he is so often a larger-than-life superhero in their eyes. If you have a dad who needs a little superhero ego boost, this is the one for you to grab and your kids will think it is amazing too! So hurry up and grab this one, it will take a bit longer to personalize so don’t sleep on it.
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The Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic: You might not know this about my husband, but he is a total watch guy. He has a collection of watches, a special case that somehow magically winds them (still have yet to figure this out), and even a coffee table book about watches. I don’t get it. I don’t understand it. But it’s his thing and he’s proud of it. So let me first say that this addition is prompted by his love, which he has assured me is not uncommon among men. Apparently, y’all like to have fancy wristwatches. Go figure. Anyway, this Citizen watch is not for the faint of heart, however, it is, besides, a Rolex, probably one of the most classic styles a man can wear. I’m not even a watch person and I can tell this one is something special. So if you have a watch collector as I do, this is a timepiece that will stop them in their tracks. Not looking to spend a mint? This Hamilton Khaki Field Watch is one of my husband’s favorite everyday watches and I love its rugged yet tailored style. It might be the perfect entryway watch for someone just dabbling in collecting or for your man who just has great wrists that need some adornment. (hey, it’s a thing).
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The Deluxe Hot Sauce Making Kit: Have a dad who loves to bring the heat by singeing his taste buds with the hottest sauces he can find? Why not give him the gift of creativity and let him make his own hot sauces with this fun kit from Uncommon Goods? With six bottles, assorted spices and ingredients, instructions, and all the hot sauce naming rights you need, this kit is sure to bring hours of tongue-burning fun to your man who loves the heat. One of the top-rated men’s gifts on Uncommon Goods, this is such a fun one I think any dad would love it. So grab yours today, get to mixing and then come up with the most creative names you can think of. There will be prizes for the most original. (not really). Get the kit HERE.
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Therabody Theragun Prime: For the dads who bike, run, lift, and play but maybe aren’t quite as resilient as they used to be, this is the gift that will bring a ton of smiles and maybe even a few sighs of relief, too. The Therabody Theragun Prime eases discomfort, soothes away pain and soreness, and brings relief to tired muscles with its percussive therapy and deep tissue massage. I’ve got my eye on this one for Jeff (shh, don’t tell him) because he gets tension headaches often and this would be a lot more effective than my half-hearted massages. That’s for sure. For active dads and those who don’t want to grunt when they get up from their recliners anymore, this is the perfect gift. Grab it HERE.
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The Grill Smoker Gift Set: Maybe it’s just because we live in Texas, but I don’t know a single guy who doesn’t seem to have an unhealthy obsession with their backyard barbecue. From getting new tools to researching what the best size Big Green Egg is to standing around the grill with a beer in hand, anxiously peering inside every few minutes, the barbecue game is strong among the men I know. So why not give them a little extra help in that department with this awesome smoker gift set. With cherry, hickory, and apple chips this little box allows you to give your food that special smoked something that brings tears to your eye at the first bite. Fun for the dad who mans the grill at every party, this is a great way to give a smokey extra he probably wouldn’t get himself! Get it HERE.
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The Viski Globe Decanter and Whiskey Tumbler Set: Now, I have a slight problem with the sheer number of alcohol-related gifts that are advertised for Father’s Day. I mean, sure there’s nothing wrong with it, but there is certainly more to a dad than beer glasses and whiskey sets. That being said, Viski is one of my absolute favorite companies for unique gifts and beautiful glassware and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this absolutely gorgeous globe whiskey decanter and tumbler set. I mean, this is a show-stopper piece of art as well as a functional piece and I can’t get enough of it. This is saying something because I don’t even drink whiskey. Anyway, what a beautiful way to give dad an heirloom piece that will also allow him to enjoy his favorite glass at the end of a hard day. Just include a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue (or whatever the heck he drinks) and you’ve got a complete winner of a gift for your whiskey-loving guy. Get it HERE.
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The JURO S8 Automatic Coffee Machine: I don’t even know where to start with this one, folks, except to tell you that two weeks ago it showed up on our doorstep to a giddy Jeff unboxing and proudly proclaiming himself the winner of the next best home barista in the USA. (if that were actually a thing). Yes, I know it’s pricey. Yes, I know it looks like a space-age microwave. But, it is the easiest most-foolproof espresso machine ever with no pulling and tamping and all the other complicated things you see baristas doing at the local Starbucks. With this one, you just press a button to choose your brew (they’ve got them all) and you watch as your perfect latte or cappuccino or flat white, my new personal fave, is poured right before your very eyes. If you waste $5 a day at Starbucks or if you’re tired of buying pods that are filling up the landfill, this JURO is a pricey indulgence that will soon pay for itself. Oh, and did I mention the drinks are spot-on delicious? Because they are! Want a slightly less pricey machine for your coffee-obsessed dude? This Breville deluxe Nespresso Bundle has the milk frother you need to create the best latte drink included, so snag it HERE.
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The Dad Bucket List: QT time with Dad doesn’t have to revolve around sports or the barbecue grills, you know. It can also be good old-fashioned fun. And what better way to give a little spark to your quality time with dad than this bucket list set made specifically for father/child bonding? Filled with fun activities like hula hoop contests and prank calls (safe ones, of course) this is such a wonderful and unique way to spark bonding between dads and their kiddos. I can see this going really well for our household with kids in that in-between stage, where they aren’t quite into “playing” anymore but need dad time just the same. In fact, I’m probably picking up one or two for the kids to give Jeff. Just don’t tell him. We all know he doesn’t read a word I write so he’ll never know. Grab your bucket list here and prepare yourself for those prank calls because I’m sure you’re top on the list.
Now, of course, these are just a few of the items I gathered for Dad. We all know there are dads out there who might want to get their own goodies, so a gift card to Bass Pro Shop might be a good idea. Man Crates, a company that creates awesome Man-focused gift crates is also a perennial beloved dad gift with crates for ALL types. Or, if you’ve got a dad who is a truck or jeep enthusiast, send them over to Real Truck for all things truck accessories and doo-dads (that’s the official name, right). A Dad Joke Mug never is a bad idea, and, well, there’s always a tie or two as well.
Need some LAST MINUTE FINDS? I’ve got you too! Check out these which should come straight to your door in two days (thanks to good old Amazon Prime):
Pizza stone
Either way, Dads are superheroes and I don’t think they get enough love on their special day. To my own dad, I love you dearly. To my father-in-law, you’re such an incredible dude. And to the father of my children, Jeff, I just love you and you’re amazing, that is all.
Happy Father’s Day, friends.
Next week we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming with four fun things I’m digging, but stay tuned, because I’m working hard on my second lifestyle blog, meaghanldawson, and that will be launching soon with so many fun new features and categories. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Peace, love, and dads,
Meg
Welcome to BurntToast! My name is Meaghan, and this is my safe space, a place where we can share stories, share recipes and share life. It’s my dream that you can come here, kick your shoes off and pour yourself a glass of wine while you read, laugh, and maybe even hop into the kitchen. This is my heart, for all of you to see. And ALL are welcome here.