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Fun, thoughtful, gifts for dads of many stripes.
Dear Readers,
It was June of 2004, I had just graduated from high school, and my parents and I were in a small Italian rental car, motoring along a Tuscan highway in search of directions. We pulled into a small gas station, where an elderly man sat in a folding chair. My father rolled down the window. Before he said anything, the older man pointed in the direction we’d been headed and spoke one word: “Prada.” The fellow had sized us up quite well, and we burst out laughing. We were indeed headed to the Prada outlet, which my dad had read about and thought I’d like to visit. He was right.
(Photo courtesy Allstar Picture Library Ltd. / Alamy Stock Photo)
What’s more, I’d just won $1000 for writing a college scholarship essay on The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde, and my parents were kind enough to let me spend most of it on shoes and a fabulous perforated leather duffel bag that I still adore. (We all thought that Oscar and Dorian would approve).
My dad loves this story about the Italian guy, and I do, too. It’s not just because it was a hysterical moment, but because it makes me think about what a lovely father I have. In addition to being a wonderful all-around human, he has great taste and is an excellent shopping companion. I can’t say here what I’m getting my dad for Father’s Day, as he’s a reader and I don’t want to spoil the fun. I will, however, make a few sustainable Father's Day gift suggestions for the dads in your life. This year, it's June 15th.
Happy Shopping,
– Elizabeth Weinstein, Marketplace Editor
For Dads Who Love to Cook
An outdoor pizza oven from Ooni that will make the season better than ever.
A Steelport knife hand-forged in Oregon that comes with free lifetime sharpening.
Eat Cool: Good Food for Hot Days — the perfect cookbook for summer (on Amazon)
This savory, smoky rub and other ethically sourced Burlap & Barrel spices
For Dads Who Love Birding
The exceptionally useful book, Find More Birds (on Bookshop and Amazon)
Affordable, high-quality binoculars from eco-friendly Bay-Area company Nocs
This solar-powered smart birdhouse that photographs and identifies the birds species that visit you (on Amazon)
Birdfeeders to suit every style (read our review for recommendations)
For Dads Who Love the Outdoors
A twig-fueled camp stove that charges your devices as you cook, from BioLite
The Forager’s Harvest: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants by Samuel Thayer (on Bookshop and Amazon).
Summer ready, temperature-regulating clothes made from merino wool and merino wool blends.
Clothes and gear for hiking, trail-running, climbing, mountaineering, and more.
For Dads Who Love to Dress
A Blanket Shirt from Outerknown (make that two: you'll probably want to steal it!)
A great looking pair of sneakers from Nisolo with serious sustainability bonafides
A stylish sling bag for his keys, wallet, phone, sunglasses, and reusable water bottle, made from Leather Working Group Certified leather
A lightweight rain jacket from Tentree to keep him dry during summer storms
For Dads Who Love to Read
An Amazon kindle with a handy nightlight, or a subscription to Kindle Unlimited for Kindle readers.
For Amazon-averse dads, a Kobo e-reader, which makes borrowing digital books from your local library a breeze.
Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr.’s terrific memoir, which includes wonderful stories about his father (on Amazon).
For Dads Receiving Gifts from Last-Minute Shoppers
Tickets to a concert, festival, or sporting event.
A Masterclass subscription, perfect for dads who always want to learn something new.
An amazing selection of baking classes from King Arthur.
Quirky online classes from Common Goods, with topics ranging from Pickling to Smoky Cocktails to Pet Portrait Painting.
