by Julie Harrington Giffin
Handsomely wrapped and tied with a bow (tie). If there is one thing history has taught dear old dad, it’s that the presentation of fetchingly wrapped Father’s Day gifts far exceeds what hides inside. Year after year, dad puts on an Oscar-worthy performance of pure joy as he unveils his wrapped treasures, the dreaded Father’s Day tie, polka dot socks, and new cotton briefs. And our grads, as practical as it may appear, the accountant’s calculator, briefcase, or dare I say new interview tie (gasp!) aren’t the mind-blowing gifts our grads embrace after graduating from a lifetime of filling in tiny bubbles with a No. 2 pencil. Gifts for dads and grads are traditionally riddled with cliché. As adults, we tend to think toward the practical, but when it comes to gift giving, we must seize the moment to be impractical, so to speak. When it comes to shopping for gifts this “Dad and Grad Season,” it’s time to think beyond the tie.
Photos courtesy of Dream Racing
DREAM RACING
Who doesn’t dream of driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini? Let’s take that dream full throttle and give the gift of racing around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Imagine the thrill of racing a Ferrari F430 GT at speeds of 135mph! With an incredible lineup of exotic cars and multiple racing packages, this is one wheel of a gift dad and grad can get behind.
dreamracing.com
$179 – $4000
Photos courtesy of eltonjohn.com
ELTON JOHN
Sequins! Sunglasses! Wigs! Feathers! One of the great music icons of all time, Elton John, celebrates 50 years of music with his grand finale concert tour Farewell Yellow Brick Road. Known for his high-energy stage performances, this will be the musical journey of a lifetime as Elton performs over a half-century of his Grammy and Oscar-winning music. Tickets are available online, and be sure to add your name to the Rocket Club for notification of the latest Elton News.
eltonjohn.com
$60+
Photo courtesy of Man Crates
MAN CRATES
Manly Gifts for Manly Men. These gift sets are packaged in Man Crates or Ammo Cans for gifts guys can really identify with. Eating, drinking, grilling, sports or even the great outdoors, there’s no shortage of “crates or cans” that speak to the interests of guys. A few favorites are the College Barware Crate, Whiskey Connoisseur Crate, Bass Whisperer Crate, The Jerky Gram, and even The Beard Wrangler Mini Crate. Man Crates is on point and feeds to the heart of every man.
mancrates.com
$60 – $200
CASKERS PRIVATE CASK
The ultimate gift for the spirit connoisseur. Present a personal cask of Four Roses Single Barrel with Dad’s name on it, and you will be the golden child for life. Private casks come at a steep price, but for the dad who has everything, this is the gift that tops them all. Private label bottles are available, too, as well as an on-staff Concierge to help you locate rare and ultra-premium spirits.
caskers.com
Cask price $4500
Photo courtesy of Baxter of California
BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA
Skin and hair care for men are not often a prime topic of conversation, but men definitely enjoy a little pampering. And Baxter of California delivers. A premium collection of high-end hair, skin and shave essentials make guys feel like a million bucks. Since 1965, Baxter of California has continued to perfect the art of men’s grooming, and their hair, shave, skin and body care products are a lifestyle to embrace. Treat them with a premium gift set filled with award-winning products from Baxter of California. If you happen to be in Los Angeles, book an appointment at the Baxter Finley Barber & Shop to experience the ultimate man pampering lifestyle.
baxterofcalifornia.com
$18 – $300
Photo courtesy of Southern Country Smokers
SOUTHERN COUNTRY SMOKERS
Never get between a man and his meat! Unless of course, you are a Southern Country Smoker where dudes can smoke outstanding main course dishes or even your Thanksgiving Turkey. Electric or Charcoal, the choice is yours, and the price is right. This is one gift that won’t go up in smoke.
southerncountrysmokers.com
$69 – $189
Photo courtesy of Tasters Club
TASTERS CLUB
The spirited gift that keeps on giving. Whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, gin, scotch bourbon or bubbly. Taster’s Club delivers full-size, hard-to-find bottles each month with professional tasting notes, history and distillery notes, and how to properly taste and evaluate. A three, six, or twelvemonth membership caters to your desired spirited pleasure.
tastersclub.com
$44/mo. – $184/mo.
Photo courtesy of Ghost Scream
GHOST SCREAM HOT SAUCE
Time for dad and grad to roll up their sleeves and take their taste buds on a ghost screaming adventure. Created by Southern California Chef Matthew Sisson, Ghost Scream Hot Sauce is composed entirely of California-grown produce and is a culinary experience worth taking. The pure and fresh flavor explodes with smoky notes and a wicked kick of fire that captivates the palate. This is an everyday sauce for your everyday dishes, and then some. No need to choose just one of the three different flavors; the Original Hot Sauce, Chili-Garlic Jam and Chili-Garlic Paste come in a convenient 3-pack. And don’t forget those cocktails. Ghost Scream is next level in your Bloody Mary!
ghostscream.com
3-pack Kit – $30
CIGAR & SPIRITS MAGAZINE – CIGAR OF THE MONTH CLUB
A welcomed reprieve from the undesirable Jelly of the Month Club, a seasoned or novice cigar guy will surely embrace his monthly delivery of five top-rated, small batch, hand-rolled cigars complete with profiles, tasting notes, and suggested spirit pairings. Cigar & Spirits Magazine’s exclusive panel of experts carefully selects each featured cigar. With over 100 years of cigar experience, the panel ensures the cigars you receive are expertly constructed, properly aged, and received a rating of 90 – 100 points. This gift is an experience that continues to please the palate.
cigarandspirits.com/club
Membership – $39.95/mo.
Photo courtesy of idrinkproducts.com
DRINKMATE SPRITZER
It’s no secret guys like gadgets and here’s one that goes everywhere. The Drinkmate Spritzer is a hand held portable carbonation gun ready to make your water, juice, sport drink, or even favorite cocktail fizz to the max. Simply add your beverage of choice to the Drinkmate canister and pull the trigger to release a sparkle of CO2 for a refreshing carbonated beverage whenever and wherever you want. And no batteries or power needed. From the comfort of your home watching the big game to fishing lakeside in the mountains, Drinkmate adds a touch of sparkle to every occasion.
idrinkproducts.com
$89.99 – $94.99
Legendary Guitarist Jeff Beck leading the way at the camp. – Photo courtesy of rockcamp.com
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FANTASY CAMP
Not your average band camp, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp is the real deal. Bring your musical talent and be strategically placed with other musician campers that will form your new band, complete with a Rock Star Counselor, Band Manager, rehearsal studio, and recording studio. Choose the name of your band and get ready to jam in your Master Class sessions designed to improve and fine-tune your musical talent. During rehearsals, you will be perfecting an original song to be performed live in front of a packed house at top-rated venues, such as the famed Whisky A Go Go! Create music and learn from such legends as Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Roger Daltry (The Who), Joe Walsh (The Eagles), John Moyer (Disturbed), all past camp counselors. A rockin’ bucket list gift no doubt!
rockcamp.com
4-day camp experience $3999+
Photos courtesy of sfbags.com
WATERFIELD BAGS
Setting a new standard in bag design, WaterField gained popularity with the tech-savvy community of Northern California by turning out products made for specific tablets, phones, gaming devices, and customer requests for specific bag features. American made, personalized design, top-grade materials, and uncluttered designs are the hallmarks of WaterField’s success. The unique portfolio of handcrafted bags serves modern-day needs and lifestyles. Two favorites that are sure to please are the Atlas Executive Athletic Holdall, a crossover briefcase/athletic bag that goes from office to gym without compromising on fashion, and the Air Porter Carry-On bag, which is lightweight and perfectly styled to fit under the seat in front of you. Add the Air Caddy insert and you have a pouch that easily fits in the seat back pocket to access your items with ease. As with all WaterField Bags, customer input is an essential part of the design process ensuring these bags have your back!
sfbags.com
$59 – $429
.GREY
Wash, Protect, and Hydrate. Three words that make up the lifestyle brand of .GREY (say dotGREY) skincare for men. In a world where presentation is everything, .GREY gives dad and grad the leading edge in that make it or break it interview or boardroom meeting. .GREY’s premium skincare for men is made from natural ingredients including chamomile, white willow bark extract, jojoba, avocado and grape seed oils, and mango. Give dad and grad a gift that will energize, moisturize and revitalize.
dotgrey.life
The Set $139.00
