Weird and wonderful Father’s Day gifts for dads

In less than 24 hours from now, dads across South Africa will be waking up to Father’s Day and opening presents of jocks, socks, packets of biltong and assorted braai utensils.

All lovingly wrapped by mom who spent hours ‘looking for something different’ and presented at the crack of dawn to dozing dads by gleeful five-year-olds, who care not that dad got socks last year too. And the year before that…

But it’s not about the gift; it’s about the thought and the love that went into it. Around the world, though, there are some Father’s Day gifts that are a bit more out of the ordinary.

Toothpicks infused with fine Scotch whisky

Being a whisky loving kind of guy, my personal favourite is a gift set of whisky-infused toothpicks.

Quite why you’d need this isn’t explained on the website selling the set for the princely sum of R600. But perhaps if you have some braai steak stuck in your teeth and your wife has emphatically told you “no more booze today” it could come in handy.

Oh, and it’s not a gift meant for those who don’t know their whisky. “Savour a subtle version of a fine single malt Scotch with these infused toothpicks. They feature a barrel-aged, Islay single malt made by a 200-year-old distillery for a distinctively smoky flavour with notes of peat and complex caramel,” says the sales pitch.

Say it with a beautiful bouquet of salami

On Mother’s Day we’re urged to ‘say it with flowers’. But flowers are not quite the thing for Father’s Day, not even for sensitive-new-age-guys (known as ‘Snags’).  

Dad can still have a bouquet, though – of salami. It looks elegant and kind of ‘snaggie’, and if it’s delivered to dad’s door around breakfast time he can get munching immediately.

“Forget a bouquet of flowers; the way to our hearts (and stomachs) is this ‘bouquet’ of incredibly delicious gourmet salami, delivered straight to a loved one’s door all wrapped up in a festive, ribbon-tied arrangement,” says the Food 52.com website.

A tuxedo onesie for that warm-but-elegant look

Are you a dad who hates going out on cold winter’s nights? Especially to formal events where you need to dress up?

Then this is for you: a snuggly onesie that looks just like a tuxedo. If you like the ‘elegant’ look when going to bed – rather than your oldest running shorts and holiest tee-shirt – it will be a definite a winner.

“Our tuxedo jumpsuit will keep you looking stone cold confident, even though you are almost shaking out of those fancy dress shoes. Plus, the easy front zipper closure won’t leave you feeling tied down,” enthuses the Tipsyelves.com website.

Who said Father’s Day gifts have to be predictable and boring?