Father’s Day Gift Guide 2014

Ten gifts for Vancouver dads on Father’s Day

With Father’s Day just around the corner (June 15) it’s your chance to show your dad you care. If you’re stumped for ideas, let BCLiving lend you a hand. Dads can be hard to shop for, but if homemade cards aren’t your cup of tea and you’ve given him a tie three years running, check out our gift guide for a little inspiration.

Faubourg’s Dark Chocolate and Stout Macarons and Cheddar and Stout Bread

Beer and baked goods – what could be better? Faubourg’s special Father’s Day offerings are perfect way to satisfy Dad’s gourmet sweet tooth. They’ve created a Dark Chocolate and Stout macaron with 70 per cent dark couverture chocolate and stout beer. They’re only available on June 14 and 15, so make sure you don’t miss out. If you’re looking for a savoury pairing, pick up some of their Cheddar and Stout bread available throughout June.  

Price: $2 per macaron, $1.55 per bun

Pottery Barn’s Union Canvas Weekender Bag – $163.06-$204.17

Whether jet-setting around the world, or heading out for a camping trip, the Union Canvas Weekender Bag from Pottery Barn is a stylish and useful travel companion. The bag is made from recycled canvas, making it the ideal addition for the eco-friendly traveler. You even have the option of personalizing it with your father’s initials monogrammed on the side. You can order it online or through their catalogue. 

Price: $163.06 – $204.17

Williams-Sonoma’s IPA Beer Making Kit

Sure, you could always take him out for a beer, but for a true craft beer enthusiast, a make-your-own IPA Beer Kit is the only way to go. It only takes about four weeks to brew your own American-style IPA with this easy kit that helps walk you through the process. The kit comes with all of the basic equipment you’ll need, the ingredients for a one-gallon batch of beer and an instructional booklet. The equipment is reusable, meaning Dad will never run out of beer again. 

Price: $66.73

West Elm’s Gentlemen’s Hardware iPad Case

The perfect classy accessory for a working man, the Gentlemen’s Hardware iPad Case will keep your tablet safe and look great doing it. Made of grey felt and brown faux leather, the inside of the case is lined with nylon to protect the tablet no matter where you take it. You can buy it online, or check out one of West Elm’s Vancouver locations.  

Price: $55.95

Vancouver Foodie Tour

If your father fancies himself a foodie, then take him on a tour of the town with the World’s Best Food Truck Tour. As the days get sunnier, there’s no better time to hit the streets and enjoy some of Vancouver’s gourmet food trucks. The tour includes samples of some of the best food truck offerings in the city, and also teaches you about the culture and history of food trucks in Vancouver. You can purchase gift cards or buy tickets on their website. 

Price: $49 per person

ManCakes

The name says it all: these aren’t your typical frilly fare. ManCakes Bakery makes some of the most unique cupcake flavours around, and they’re all specially designed to make even the manliest of men’s mouths water. Some of their “regular” flavours include Buffalo Wing, Bacon Chili Chocolate and Whisky Lime, to name a few. To celebrate summer they’re featuring a new Mojito-flavoured cupcake. Treat your tough-guy dad to a six-pack and maybe he’ll even share. 

Price: $3.75 for one, or $19.75 for six

Happy Spritz Men’s Essential Oil Spray

Handmade in Vancouver, these natural essential oil sprays were designed to counter the flood of overpowering scents that dominate the market. Happy Spritz can act as a natural cologne, but can also be sprayed around the house or on linens. Their men’s line has scents like the Woodsy Lumberjack, a blend of cedar wood oil and pine. Each of the Happy Spritz scents claims to promote various health benefits, like Musky Barbershop’s promise to energize and reduce stress. You can buy them online or at Litchfield in Gastown. 

Price: $28 per bottle

FortKnight Beaux Tie

It might be time to retire the classic Father’s Day go-to present, the tie, in favour of one of these stylish bow ties. With a range of patterns including polka dots, plaid, or just plain, Fortknight Beaux Tie is the perfect present for dapper dads everywhere. They even come pre-tied, which means instant style for every occasion. They’re available at FortKnight Men’s Boutique in Gastown. 

Price: $69

Tense Wooden Watches

Make sure your dad is always on time with these elegant wooden watches. Designed and manufactured in Vancouver, Tense Watches are an easy way to be eco-friendly and naturally stylish. They’re lightweight and hypoallergenic, making them a comfortable and complementary addition to any outfit. Timber (centre) is one of their best-selling models and includes the calendar date and luminescent hands. 

Price: $159.10

Filson Briefcase

City smart sophistication meets practical application with the Filson Original Briefcase. Branded as their “toughest, most dependable briefcase,” the Filson Original is durable and made to last through even the most hectic of work schedules. While it looks great, there were no sacrifices made when it came to utility. The briefcase has compartments for a calculator and business cards, and meets carry-on baggage requirements for planes. 

Price: $275