Our Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide
Though it only became an official holiday in 1972, the annual celebration of Father's Day in the U.S.—which takes place on the third Sunday in June—was born in Spokane, Washington, long before that. In 1910, to be exact, when Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, set out to establish an official equivalent to Mother's Day for male parents.
Around the world, Father's Day festivities occur throughout the year, like the second Sunday of August in Brazil, where St. Joachim, the father of Mary, is said to be the inspiration for the holiday. In Thailand, it's celebrated on the December birthday of the widely admired King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Everyone wears yellow to commemorate the day. And in Germany, on Ascension Day, a tradition is honored celebrating fathers by organizing hikes and other gatherings—and supplying the men with a hefty stock of food and alcohol.
And though American Father's Day customs center on showering Dad with gifts, that wasn't always a welcomed tradition. In fact, pushback against the custom of gift-giving is one of the primary reasons why Father's Day wasn't declared a national holiday until Richard Nixon signed it into being.
Times have changed—at least as far as Father's Day is concerned—and there's no better time to butter up your favorite guy with something a little more substantial than pancakes. He'll flip for a shiny new copper grill, hand-crafted gin, and a cozy alpaca throw for lazy Sundays. Read on for more of our gift ideas for the father figures in your life.
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Sun and Moon Socks
If he's a sock guy—and his collection is one for the books—he'll appreciate this double set. We're calling it: He'll wear the sun pair to work and moon socks out to family dinners.
Shop Now: Desmond & Dempsey Embroidered Cotton-Blend Socks, $48, mrporter.com.
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Grilling Cookbook
He's a grilling maestro, so he's always looking for upgraded recipes and better methods. Martha provides both in this cookbook.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart's Grilling Cookbook, $15.28, target.com.
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Whiskey
Clink, then drink! Raise a glass of this whiskey blend, which delivers smooth spice and smoky warmth.
Shop Now: High West Distillery Double Rye! Whiskey, $35.99 for 750 ml, wine.com.
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Enamel Pot
The 16-quart enamel pot will hold lobsters and crabs this summer, and his famous four-alarm chili come fall.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection American 16-Quart Lobster Pot, $140, macys.com.
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Modern Chess Set
Dad taught you everything you know about chess, but he still beats you every time. Start fresh with this modern set, which looks great on a coffee table.
Shop Now: West Elm Acrylic Chess Set, $199, westelm.com.
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Pressurized Growler
Head to his favorite local brewery with this pressurized growler, which keeps craft beer fresh for up to two weeks.
Shop Now: GrowlerWerks Pressurized Growler, $159, crateandbarrel.com.
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Cooler
He'll take this cooler everywhere, whether he's on the road or on the water.
Shop Now: Yeti "Roadie 20" Hard Cooler, $199, yeti.com.
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A Bag That's Ready for Anything
This diaper bag was designed for guys on the go. It converts to a backpack and has a washable liner, removable changing mat, and laptop sleeve.
Shop Now: E.C. Knox "Ellison" Diaper Bag in Windsor, $250, ecknox.com.
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iPad Kitchen Stand
Keep his iPad or cookbook where he can see it, and away from sauce splatters, thanks to this sleek stand. It's polished enough to keep on the counter full time.
Shop Now: EtúHome Mod iPad/Cookbook Holder, $150, etuhome.com.
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Yellow Kicks
Handmade every step of the way, Shoes Like Pottery low-tops sport kiln-fired rubber soles that look great while going the distance.
Shop Now: Shoes Like Pottery Low-Top Sneakers, $155, shop.tortoisegeneralstore.com.
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Woven Fedora
Sunny days call for a breezy topper like this woven fedora, available in a rainbow of beachy colors.
Shop Now: Travaux en Cours Woven Fedora Hat, $76, christophepourny.com.
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Alpaca Throw Blanket
Consider this cozy, never scratchy throw his new family movie night essential.
Shop Now: The Citizenry "Cascada" Apaca Throw, $155, the-citizenry.com.
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Fold-Up Stove
Spark some joy and ignite his inner Eagle Scout. The two-pound, stainless steel Firebox G2 stove is wood-and Sterno-friendly and folds up to the size of a book.
Shop Now: Firebox G2 Stainless-Steel Stove, $60, fireboxstove.com.
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Swim Trunks
Outfit your cannonball king in these fast-drying board shorts, made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled fabric.
Shop Now: Greenlines Eco Stretch Glide Board Shorts, $72, greenlines.com.
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Tool Apron
The Talented Mr. Fix-It needs a tool carrier as dashing as he is. Mi Cocina's strapping denim waist apron has compartments for all his DIY essentials.
Shop Now: Mi Cocina Denim Waist Apron, $75, micocinaus.com.
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Ripple Bottle Opener
Sure, he has a bottle opener, but we bet it doesn't look like this. The sleek ripple design is easy on the eyes, but light enough to slip into a pocket for an afternoon on the go.
Shop Now: Craighill Ripple Bottle Opener, $48, craighill.co.
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Bandana
Japanese symbols and patterns add intrigue to this cool take on an American classic.
Shop Now: Kiriko Two-Tone Custom-Dyed Bandana, $38, kirikomade.com.
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Leather Tote
Martha Stewart's roomy embossed croco-leather tote gets better with age, just like a certain someone.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart Croco Embossed Leather Tote in Dark Chocolate, $219.98, qvc.com.
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Playing Cards
This deck of cards features nature images by illustrator Travis Pietsch and comes in a travel-friendly wooden case.
Shop Now: Chronicle Books Great Outdoors Playing Cards, $15.95, barnesandnoble.com.
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Deluxe Gas Grill
Group-gift the glowy copper Weber Genesis II E-315, which has tapered burners to nix hot spots and smart grates that stop flare-ups.
Shop Now: Weber Genesis II E-315 Gas Grill, $799, homedepot.com.
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Tamarind Sauce
Sweet, spicy Basbaas Somali tamarind-date sauce will enliven anything he throws on the grill.
Shop Now: Basbaas Tamarind Date Sauce, $10 for 8 oz., basbaassauce.com.
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Take-Everywhere Chair
The lightweight Helinox sunset chair packs up tight (just 18.5 inches long), so he can take it to a concert, soccer pitch, beach, and beyond.
Shop Now: Helinox Sunset Chair Home in Steel Grey, $200, helinox.com.
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Aromatic Gin
Distilled with juniper, lavender, and lingonberries, Monkey 47 gin makes a crisp botanical cocktail.
Shop Now: Schwarzwald Dry Gin, $42 for 375 ml, reservebar.com.
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Zip-Up Duffel Bag
Paravel's featherweight duffel zips into a flat pouch he can stash in his suitcase for far-flung finds.
Shop Now: Paravel Fold-Up Bag, $65, bloomingdales.com.
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Secateurs
Pruning is easy on the hands with Martha Stewart secateurs, which stow safely in a leather holster.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart Easy Grip Secateurs with Protective Sheath in Slate, $45, qvc.com.
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Eyeglass Case
Crafted from soft Vachetta leather, this oxblood-toned case will (stylishly) keep eyewear protected on the wildest adventures.
Shop Now: Borsheims Graphic Image Eyeglass Case, $66, borsheims.com.
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Licorice
Lakrids by Bülow calls these salted caramel-covered licorice bites "feisty and gentle at the same time," just like dad.
Shop Now: Lakrids by Bülow D Salt and Caramel Coated Licorice, from $9.90, lakridsbybulow.com.
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Space Pen
The raw brass finish on this pen will develop a unique patina over time. Until then, use it to write upside down, under water, and in extreme temperatures from -30 to +250 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to its patented pressurized ink chamber.
Shop Now: Fisher Raw Brass Bullet Space Pen, $26, spacepen.com.