Travel Shopping Tips: Father's Day Gift Guide
Last Updated on Monday, 20 June 2011 08:47 Written by Lloyd Carroll Wednesday, 15 June 2011 00:00
There is no way for anyone to truly express their gratitude to the man who most shaped ou
r lives, but Father’s Day is a great time to show appreciation. Here are some reasonably priced gift ideas.
Watches are still the most popular and functional jewelry pieces for men. Sure, it would be nice to be able to afford a Rolex, Tag Heuer or Tissot for your father, but both Timex and Fossil make stylish timepieces that fit nearly all budgets. Long Island City-based Armitron also has durable and luxurious watches at all price points.
It is no secret that most guys are more fashion-conscious than ever. Joseph Abboud and Armani Exchange make sporty blazers that can be worn for all occasions and for all seasons.
Land's End has quietly become a major player in men’s summer fashions with their Canvas line of shirts, pants and jackets which take their inspiration from President John F. Kennedy’s summers in Hyannis. Land's End also produces mesh polo shirts which are perfect for casual Fridays at the office.
Everyone needs a good pair of comfortable dress shoes, and Auri Footwear has long been a favorite of mine because of their styles, comfort and reasonable prices.
Just as m
ore men are more aware of style, they are also cognizant of the importance of taking care of their skin to prevent both premature aging and preventable skin cancers. Jack Black’s (not the comedy actor) Texture Cream, Dirty Beauty’s Body Butter, Dr. Loretta Essential Supplements, Anthony Logistics, ReVive Renewal, and Clarins Men’s Super Moisture Gel are all very good and reasonably priced skin regimens.
Sunglasses can provide important protection from harmful ultraviolet rays to one’s face and eyes, and of course, they can make a fashion statement as well. Carrera aviators and Oakley wraparounds offer optical protection as well as making you look like a movie star.
There is no question that exercise is a key to longevity and being able to enjoy a quality life. Reebok’s RealFlex and ZigTech shoes are both great for jogging, while K-Swiss’s Classic SDE is a fine walking sneaker. If dad still likes to shoot some hoops on the weekend, Above The Rim (known in the athletic shoe game by its initials, ATR) liberally borrows its look from, and has a similar quality to, Nike’s Air Jordan (which is still regarded as the Tiffany of sneakers) but is a lot less expens
ive.
Champion’s C9, Under Armour’s Charged Cotton, and Helly Hansen’s Hydro Tech are lightweight workout shirts that dry quickly from perspiration.
Golf, while still a pricy sport, has come down a bit in price because of the recession. If you want to get on the links with Dad without paying an exorbitant greens fee, check out the website, TheEarlyBirdie.com.
Of course, whenever you golf you should wear Franklin or Callaway golf gloves to avoid getting needless blisters.
While on the topic of exercise, nearly every gym chain such as New York Sports Club, LA Fitness, and the New York Health & Racket Club sell membership gift certificates.
The popularity of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen TV show, as well as an endless list of shows on cable TV’s Bravo and the Food Network, make it clear that a lot of men take pride in cooking. 360 Cookware’s stainless steel pots and pans are easy to clean and will last for years. Hamilton Beach’s Ind
oor Grill costs around $50 and is perfect for burgers, franks and chicken. Hamilton Beach also makes outdoor grills for summer barbecuing, while Zippo lighters are a good, safe choice for turning on the charcoals.
Red wine has widely been reported to be beneficial for heart health. Italy has long been famous for its reds, and now Sicily is becoming a major player. D’Alessandro Wineries, which was started five years ago on the southwest coast of the island, produces tasty Syrah as well as red blends. Another great Italian vino option are the Masi Agricola wines from Northeast Italy.
When it comes to liquor, you can never wrong with basics such as Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, New Amsterdam Gin, and Samuel Adams Utopia Beer which comes in a handcrafted copper decanter. If you want alcohol that is a bit more offbeat, try Bacardi’s Arctic Grape Rum.
Cigars and spirits go together for special occasions. Macanudo and Camacho are premium stogies for aficionados.
