Every dad has his day, and this year that day is Sunday, June 16 (for those who always remember Mother’s Day but forget Father’s Day).
However, not every dad is the same — so it would be a shame to honour your father with a typical tie, generic “dadget,” or other common do-dads that he’ll likely store in the garage in a box labeled: “Bad Father’s Day, Birthday & Anniversary Gifts.”
LOOK — Here are 16 gift ideas that will prevent Papa from preaching about getting a boring Father’s Day presents this year:
Father Day 2013 Gift Ideas
The D.I.Y. Dad: TaskOne iPhone Case
The TaskOne iPhone case is ideal for dads that like to tool around and fix things on the go. The case is made of aircraft polycarbonate and the Swiss Army-like tools (screwdriver, bottle opener, mini-saw, wrench, etc.) are stainless steel. Available for iPhone 4, 4S, and 5 in three colours.
The TaskOne iPhone case, $90, available at Task Lab
The Wannabe Pro-Photographer Dad: Camera Coats
It's easier for Dad to strap this on instead of lugging around a clunky camera bag. The compact cases come in various artistic designs, five different sizes, are padded, and are also waterproof.
Camera Coats, $30-$55, available at Camera Coats
The Iron Chef Dad: Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
This is for the dad that spends as much time in the kitchen as he does in the tool shed. The Artisan Series model has a 325-watt motor, 5 quart (4.73 L) stainless steel bowl, and comes in 26 colours. If your dad is into sausage parties, you can even include a Sausage Stuffer ($20) attachment.
Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer, $499, available at suppliers of Kitchen Aid
The BBQ Expert Dad: Talking BBQ Thermometer
It's tough for Dad to grill the best burgers while also entertaining his guests. The Talking BBQ Thermometer will literally tell him when his meat is ready by wirelessly transmitting to a display unit that can be moved up to 100 feet away.
The Talking BBQ Thermometer, $59.99, available at Sharper Image
The Beer Connoisseur Dad: Woodchuck Hard Cider
Woodchuck Hard Cider features a clean, apple finish that is also naturally gluten-free. So Dad has no excuse for having a beer belly.
Woodchuck Hard Cider, $13.95/six pack, available at Woodchuck
The Home Entertainment Obsessed Dad: Sonos Playbar
If you can't get your dad tickets to an NHL playoff game then you can at least make his living room sound like a hockey arena with the Sonos Playbar. The wireless HIFI system produces full Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, so dad can hear every slap shot, every crunching body check, and eventually, every sobbing Leafs fan.
Sonos Playbar, $749, available at Sonos
The Hairy Daddy: Mangroomer Professional Do-It-Yourself Electric Back Hair Shaver
Your dad breaks his back trying to give you a good life. So the least you could do is help him shave it. The Mangroomer Professional Do-It-Yourself Electric Back Hair Shaver features a handle you can extend so Dad can shave in hard to reach places. Accessories included are a new protection cap, a cleaning brush, an A/C recharging adaptor, and an instruction booklet (just in case he asks you for a hand).
Mangroomer Professional Do-It-Yourself Electric Back Hair Shaver, $49.95, available at Mangroomer
The Car-Loving Dad: Cordless Car Waxer
Even dads need to wax every now and then. The Cordless Car Waxer's rechargeable 18-V cordless orbital waxer and built-in liquid wax reservoir makes sure he doesn't get tied up while buffing and polishing his pride and joy.
Cordless Car Waxer, $79.99, available at Amazon
The Diaper Duty Dad: Diaper Vest
There are many great things about being a dad – carrying a diaper bag isn’t one of them. Fortunately, there’s the Diaper Vest - a cool looking jacket that secretly stashes baby essentials. Older dads can even store Depends Adult Diapers for themselves.
Diaper Vest, $79, available at DadGear
The Dad With Love Handles: Spanx for Men (Manx)
Give your dad some Spanx to help him cheat on his diet a bit. The Spanx for Men line of undershirts (Manx) is designed to aesthetically improve dad’s physique with cooling features and compression zones that transform the torso and chest. The Manx shirts even come in “Medium” and “Hard Core” compression power levels.
Manx, $79 for a Zoned Performance Crew Neck Undershirt, available at Spanx
The Rock Star Dad: Lester Classic Unfinished Electric Guitar Builder Kit
Let your dad relive his dreams of being a famous musician with the Lester Classic Unfinished Electric Guitar Builder Kit. Unfortunately for dad, groupies are not included with the kit.
Lester Classic Unfinished Electric Guitar Builder Kit., approximately $210-$260, available at Overstock.com
The Man-Bag Carrying Dad: Zara Basic Bowling Bag
Papa’s Got a Brand New Man-Bag and it looks like a classy bowling bag – so he doesn’t have to feel self-conscious about carrying a male purse to work.
Zara Basic Bowling Bag, $95.90, available at Zara
The Foodie Dad: President's Choice Black Label Hatcho Black Miso Marinade
If you are making your foodie dad a special meal, spice up his day with some PC Black Label Hatcho Black Miso Marinade. The sauce combines black miso, sake, and toasted sesame, which is perfect for beef, pork, chicken and seafood dishes.
President's Choice Black Label Hatcho Black Miso Marinade, $5.99, available at Loblaws
The Secret Agent Dad: Citizen Eco-Drive "Proximity Bluetooth" watch
Help your dad feel like an international man of mystery by equipping him with a gadget watch that would make James Bond jealous. The timepiece allows you to connect to your iPhone 4s or to the new iPhone 5 using Bluetooth 4.0. The watch will alert you with a discrete vibration whenever you have a message on your iPhone, with the second hand automatically sweeping to point at various indicators on the dial ring so you can see whether you have an incoming call, email or calendar alert.
Citizen Eco-Drive "Proximity Bluetooth" watch, $412.50 (sale price), available at Watch It
The World’s Greatest Dad: Self-Stirring Mug
Usually, the recipient of this honour receives a standard “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mug. But your dad is so special that he deserves a unique coffee mug that stirs itself. With a press of a button, the mug instantly blends in cream and sugar without a spoon – or in the case of most dads, his finger.
Self-Stirring Mug, $18.99, available at Think Geek
The Dad that Still Be-Leafs: Toronto Maple Leafs Toaster
The Toronto Maple Leafs were toasted from the playoffs in grizzly fashion — and now you can make sure dad remembers his beloved team’s meltdown every morning with toast featuring the Leafs’ logo. The two-slice toaster features adjustable settings, so you don’t have to worry about your Leafs getting burned – again. Just make sure Dad has some orange juice nearby — in case the Leafs toast makes him choke. Dad not a Leaf's fan? The line of toasters, sandwich and waffle makers are available in all Canadian NHL team motifs.
Canadian NHL toasters, $39.99, available online at Best Buy