Gifts for Dads and Grads

It is graduation season and father’s day is fast approaching too. I’m not a huge fan of father’s day and mother’s day for many reasons that I won’t get into, but I have no problem celebrating the fathers and father figures in my life. I am always up for celebrating people for who they are or the roles they fill but I don’t love putting the people and the day into any kind of boxes. However you feel about these days, here are some great gifts for the vegan folks you are celebrating.

Leather Love

There is something about leather that is rugged and special and timeless. That’s what makes leather a great gift for both dads (of any gender) and grads. It is often something small that can be carried with them through life and gets a patina and carries stories making it simple yet meaningful.

Mauclère designs, cuts and stitches their gorgeous designs in Provincetown, MA. Their collection ranges from the VIP briefcase to yoga mat strap and little envelope business card cases. The VIP Briefcase is made with a dark brown English bridle, lined with embossed ostrich, has snap closures and one interior pocket. An elegant classic that goes for $1,250. The yoga mat strap is a crossbody strap that is made out of hand dyed sturdy oiled Latigo leather with solid brass finishings and goes for $45. The little envelope cases would also make a great holder for guitar picks, which is how I will gift it to my grad who will be heading off to university and will have to pick up their own picks that happen to be strewn around the house so they might as well have a good place to keep them. The envelope cases come in three colour options: jean, tan and forest green, have a solid brass button stud and go for $45.

If you are looking for something a little more natural and plenty of unique home good options for the city dweller, Happy Patina has some nice designs that are not bags and belts. They have everything from a large leather storage basket to a set of tesselation coasters. Happy Patina also has their own collection of bags and what makes Happy Patina so special is their veg-tanned leather that leaves it neutral and ready to form its own patina over time. Happy Patina designs are made with full grain, vegetable tanned, environmentally certified leather from Catalonia, Spain.

Leather is not for every one so if you want a vegan option. These skyline wallets by Anne Cate are great for dads or grads. Give dad the skyline of where they grew up, or maybe where you had your first kiss and give grads their hometown skyline or maybe the skyline of the city they are headed to next in their life. Santos also makes really chic vegan leather bags made with a cactus-based bio-material.

Sink Your Teeth Into It

Not every dad wants to stand at the grill all summer. Here are some options for the dad who doesn’t want to be the stereotypical dude at the grill all summer. Dads and grads who prefer not to eat meat can still enjoy a nice night out. As for the grill, if that is in fact Dad’s happy place then there is one must buy item for father’s day. And for the dads and grads who just want a nice vegetarian night out here are a few places to get them dolled up and wined (alcohol or no alcohol) and dined for the night.

If you are grilling meat, then The Meater is something we have had for several years now and are so glad to have it in our grilling arsenal. The Meater is a probe thermometer that stays in the meat you are grilling or cooking. It connects to an app that will let you know what temperature you should cook your meat to for the desired doneness and it will alert you when the meat is almost done so you don’t under or over cook it. The Meater can be customized with a message on the charger/holding block as well. The most popular Meater is the Meater Plus which is what we have. It is a single probe and wooden charging block and is currently on sale for $69.99. The set with the most probes is the Meater Pro Xl currently on sale for $279.00 and includes four probes as well as a screen on the charging block so you don’t need to use the app or phone.

For the vegetarian dad you can treat them to one of the Vegetarian Tasting menus at Asta (Boston) just make a note with your reservation that your dietary restrictions are vegetarian/vegan or book a night at Forage (Cambridge) for their vegetarian tasting menus. Check Forage’s Instagram for their upcoming events or call and ask about upcoming vegetarian tasting menus. Book dad Field and Vine’s upcoming celebration tasting menu of Early Summer Vegetables Of course there are many great places to eat vegetarian without a tasting menu: Spoke Wine Bar, Base Crave, Prep Neighbourhood Kitchen, Sarma, Gray’s Hall, Bar Mezzana, Picco, Field and Vine,and Myers and Chang just to name a few of our favourites. For the vegan splurge treat dad to a trip to NYC and dinner at Eleven Madison Park.

Pampered Papa

Dads like pampering as much as anyone. In fact the kind of pampering moms and aunties like is no different than the kind of pampering pops like and the same is with dislikes. Gender has nothing to do with whether you like a massage or would rather have a good run followed by a cold plunge to soothe the muscles. So know your papa and find the right pampering for him. My dad was a massage hater. He was way too ticklish to be able to appreciate it, but a day in a lake and a schvitz in a sauna was his kind of pampering. I wish I had had a chance to introduce him to the wonders of hammam spas because I think he would have loved it. Maybe he actually tried it in his travels. I’m not sure.

If, like my children’s dad, he is very athletic then a massage with their favourite massage therapist is probably much needed and will be appreciated. On the other hand, what I keep hearing about lately is having an ice plunge after a workout and apparently this is something you can now do at your own home, have a membership to a club or book an series or individual session nearby. The Pod Company offers all sorts of fancy options, but I have also seen some more basic versions at TJ Maxx. If your own ice plunge seems overwhelming there are a few locations of SweatHouz in the area which offer sauna and cold plunge sessions. For those who are a little uncomfortable with the idea of lying naked on a massage table for an hour, a reflexology type foot massage is incredibly effective and relaxing. Nomad Organic Spa in Brookline offers 30 and 60 minute herbal foot reflexology. I am a fan of Angel Feet (for their 60 minute foot massage which starts with a shoulder and scalp massage and then the full foot massage process, massage, hot stones and all. I have heard the water journey is heavenly at The Bodhi Spa which is now open in Norwood as well as Providence and Newport. For the dad who loves a little pizzaz take him for a pedicure or manicure to your favourite nail place. As for that hammam spa, I don’t know any to recommend here, but I highly recommend the Hammam Spa by Céla in Toronto.