Beyond Ties and Aftershave: Fabulous Father’s Day Gifts

by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

Every year, I gave my father the same aftershave. He always seemed to love it. But then he loved everything I did. Now that he is gone, I think of what I would give him today, and every Father’s Day I get obsessed with fantasy gifts for him.

But here are some practical, cost effective gifts that any father would love.

GET HIS DAY OFF TO A PERKY START

Senseo—the world’s leader in single-serve coffee—as a great gift option for Dads who can’t get enough of their morning cup of java! Senseo recently partnered with Hamilton Beach to bring consumers a new and affordable (only $29.99) Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Personal Cup coffee machine with Senseo coffee pods. What’s really great is that it’s super sleek and practically takes up no counter space. Also, its ability to brew the perfect cup of coffee into a regular-sized coffee mug or even a travel mug is a great solution for when you’re on the go.

www.SenseoStore.com

HELP KEEP DAD’S LIFE TANGLE FREE

This crafty iPod accessory, the Earbud Yo-Yo®, stores earbud wires, preventing them from getting tangled up with all stuff Dad carries around in his briefcase while commuting: eyeglasses, pens, rubber bands, paper clips, and even lunch.

Created for the tangle-prone and knotted up earbud wire market, the Earbud Yo-Yo® is great Father’s Day gift. And it costs under $10. 

Storing the iPod wires while in the briefcase, it can also be used to cleverly lock down flying iPod wires while Dad listens as he hustles along city streets to meetings and the office. There is now less chance an expensive iPod will get torn from its case to go crashing on the pavement. 

The simple to use Earbud Yo-Yo® cord organizer:

* Fits anywhere storing wires easily and safely                                            

* Saves time by preventing knots

* Helps customize cord lengths

* Winds up earbuds with microphones

* Never gets lost – locks right on to the cord

www.earbudyoyo.com/products.php

THE ULTIMATE GIFT FOR A COUCH POTATO

Logitech Couch Mouse M515 – This mouse is designed to glide easily on blankets, cushions and carpets, making it easier to play and work without having to sacrifice comfort. Cost: $49.99.

Mouse around—on your sofa, carpet or bed

The easy-gliding base makes mousing around on couches, blankets, cushions, clothing and carpets—and desks—easy.

Get to the good parts

Imagine coasting effortlessly through Web pages with a single spin.

Ready when you are

Two years of battery life* and the tiny, leave-in Unifying receiver mean fewer hassles.

www.Logitech.com 

FOR THE OUTDOOR DAD

Inspired by vintage European creels, this authentic creel is perfect for anglers of all skill levels and full of fisherman’s favorites like Columbian coffee and smoked salmon – just in case the fish aren’t biting. The snacks are so good—he may want to stay home and enjoy them. Fishing Creel full of fisherman’s favorite snacks $59.99

Available from 1-800-Baskets.com, a wonderful gift resource that also offers:

For the Sporty Dad: A Father’s Day gift that’s right on par, super cool Golfer’s Choice gift basket is a true taste of the tour life - packed with treats including Kettle corn, pub mix, and golf balls and golf tees.  

For the Traditional Dad:       A hand-painted, wooden Mallard duck nutcracker arrives filled with a decadent selection of whole, unshelled nuts including pecans, walnuts, Brazil nuts and more.  After the nuts are gone, it can easily be refilled or used as a fun office accessory.

www.1800baskets.com

GIVE HIM GUILT FREE SNACKS

You can’t get rid of temptation. But if Dad has a stash of Crispy Green with him, he can make healthy choices. Crispy green products are real fruit slices with a real fruit taste, a healthy way to get natural fruit fiber and nutrients. Perfect to put in his briefcase, his desk, his car and his carryon luggage.  It is the ultimate healthy gift that has zero fat and zero cholesterol and is low in calories.

Great out of the bag or:

As a topping on high-fiber cereal for extra sweetness and crunch

Enhance the taste of plain or low-fat yogurt

Add to trail mix

Sprinkle over frozen yogurt or ice cream

www.crispygreen.com

HELP DAD WHIP HIS DAY INTO SHAPE

Black and Decker has an array of awesome new blenders,  perfect for whipping up smoothies, shakes, salsas and—when Dad’s had a long day—even a frosty margarita or two . The  12-Speed Brushed Chrome Blender  (Model Number: BL2100S) ,a sleek little 12-speed marvel offering ice-crushing capabilities alongside an array of other enticing options like whip, crumb, chop and purée—easy work for the durable, multi-level stainless steel blades. The 6-cup, 48-oz. glass jar with Perfect Pour™ spout is built for mess-free pours, while the handy, built-in storage makes pesky cords a thing of the past. High quality, low maintenance and a finger on the pulse of functionality: the ultimate great blend.

Available at Target and at http://www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/

GIVE DAD A LAUGH ABOUT HISTORY’S ULTIMATE MAN 

The Heming Way (http://www.thehemingwaybook.com/), a new book release from humorist and formerEsquire editor Marty Beckerman, will be available June 7 for the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Mac and PC.  The e-book will retail for $3.99.  A print copy of the book will also be available through Amazon.com that will retail for $12.99. 

The book takes a humorous look at Ernest Hemingway as “history’s ultimate man” – drunken, unshaven, meat-devouring, wife-divorcing, and gloriously self-destructive. With chapters including “For Whom the Beer Flows,” “Death in the Afternoon… Lunch is Served,” “A Farewell to Smooth Arms, Backs, Taints, Etc.,” and “The Old Man and the See You in Hell,” Beckerman encourages young men to bring back Hemingway’s legendary brand of rugged, alcoholic masculinity. 

“Fifty years have passed since this giant walked the earth, and we’ve forgotten every lesson he taught,” Beckerman says. “Instead of wasting our time on Facebook and Twitter, we should be climbing mountains, dominating battlefields, and transforming majestic creatures of the Southern Hemisphere into piano keyboards.” 

To purchase or learn more about The Heming Way, http://www.thehemingwaybook.com/.

GIVE HIM A BARTENDER IN A BOTTLE

Give him a classical cocktail ready to serve. VnC Cocktails from New Zealand are ready to pour. There is nothing to add—VnC cocktails contain the finest ingredients with premium vodka and triple sec.  Forget about mixing complex ingredients and vodka with VnC Cocktails you just chill, shake and pour over ice. It is like having your very own bartender in a bottle.

I tasted the Pomegranate Cosmo –a fusion of premium vodka, triple sec, natural flavors, pomegranate, cranberry and lime juices. It won a silver award from Beverage Testing Institute.  And it gets my vote, too.

If Dad would like more than pretty red drinks, check out the full line of VnC Cocktails at www.vnccocktails.com

IF HE LOVES CHEESEBURGERS AND CUPCAKES,
THIS GIFT HAS HIS NAME ON IT

BBQ/ Cheeseburger Cupcake decorating Kits  are without a doubt, every Man's favorite Cupcake Cutie!! Designed with the Meat Lover and the Vegan in Mind! Everything is included right down to the food coloring ! Just add Cupcakes!!  The  Complete BBQ/Cheeseburger Cupcake Kit Contains:

(24) Cheeseburger Cupcake Sleeves/Wrappers

Brown Food Coloring

White Jimmies Shaker

Easy to follow How-To decorating instructions and illustrations

So yummy. Wrap it. Top it. Eat it up.

http://www.cupcakecuties.com/Cheese-Burger-Cupcake-Kit.aspx

EXPRESS YOUR LOVE IN A VERY PERSONAL WAY

Online company Zazzle has  literally over 40 BILLION products available, with the option to make a creation from scratch as well. Think customized meets super cool! And most products ship within 24 hours of ordering. I ordered an ipad case with Grandbaby pictures but saw lots of other great things. A great gift resource for Dad and more

www.zazzle.com

HELP HIM HEAR CLEARLY 

Songbird Clear is the world’s first high-quality, low-cost sound enhancement device available at retail for consumers who want to better enjoy the sounds of the world around them. 

Songbird Clear is not a hearing aid. To give a quick background, the FDA recently created a new category called “personal sound amplification” products.  These products are different from hearing aids and are not meant for those that are hearing impaired. They are amplification devices for situations in which it is hard to hear or people in the same room want different levels of volume.

Songbird Clear makes a great gift for dad because:

Baseball season is underway, and America’s favorite past time continues to gain popularity on TV and radio.  With Songbird Clear, dad can make sure he catches every play.

We all have times in our lives when we’d like to hear more clearly.  Songbird Clear makes it easy for loved ones to help their dads better enjoy sounds in hard-to-hear situations such as lectures or business meetings in large halls, religious services, movie theatres, conversations across the room, and when watching TV at low volumes – making life more enjoyable for the whole family

It is comfortable, fits discreetly behind the ear, requires little to no maintenance, and ensures the safest level of sound amplification - simply insert a battery, turn it on and hear hard-to-hear sounds more clearly.

It delivers superior sound amplification through high quality digital sound processing based on Texas Instruments technology.  Unlike competitive devices that can often over-amplify and distort, Songbird Clear’s built-in sound processor adjusts to make soft sounds louder and clearer while keeping loud sounds from getting too loud and distorted.

The product is available for only $119.99 att http://bit.ly/dY5Elz.

BEWITCHING GIFTS FOR A DAPPER DAD 

Organic and affordable, these gifts from B. Witching Bath Co are a little more unique than the traditional aftershave that I gave my Dad every year for Father’s Day.

For The Backyard Barbequer

Spearmint Culinary Soap: $5.95
Infused with skin nourishing shea butter, therapeutic spearmint essential oil, organic spearmint herb and ground walnut shells for gentle exfoliation, this soap smoothes skin while eliminating pungent food scents left on hands.

For The Weekend Warrior  
Organic Muscle Rub, $10.95
Formulated to relieve tired, tight muscles this organic moisturizing gel is infused with essential oils and menthol oil to soothe the back, legs, arms, hands and feet.  

For The Smooth & Suave
Sandalwood Shaving Soap, $15.00
This rich, moisturizing shaving soap will kick up a thick creamy lather for an incomparably close shave. The soap rinses clean (perfect for those with beards), leaving skin smooth, soft and scented with earthy Sandalwood. Authentic wooden boar bristle shaving brush included.  

For The Outdoorsman
Rocky Mountain Sky Shower Gel, $10.95
A two-in-one cleanser designed to gently exfoliate the skin while nourishing it this organic shower gel is formulated with aloe vera, natural essential oils, floral extracts and organic herbs.

www.bwitchingbathco.com

Madelyn  Miller is a travel and food writer who loves giving gifts. (and she is also happy to receive them) Read her stories on www.travelaldy.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com