Ditch the ties, cologne and electric shaver: It’s time to think outside the box for Father’s Day. But first, a brief history. The concept came from Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father, William Jackson Smart, raised her and her siblings after their mother’s death. She proposed the idea in 1909 in Spokane, Wash., and the first Father’s Day celebration took place June 19, 1910, in that same city.
However, it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day in the United States. So, what do you get for the father who has more ties than he can ever wear?
We went shopping and found a few ideas. For the foodie dad, consider a hot sauce-making kit complete with ghost pepper. To help wash it all down, look for a whisky-infusion set so he can make his own unique flavors. For the hard-working dad, there are aromatherapy shower steamers in a variety of scents for stress relief or a massage pillow to ease sore neck and shoulder muscles. For the dad with the green thumb, we found a bonsai tree starter kit. The outdoorsman might like a pair of binoculars or monoculars. Is Dad a bit disorganized? There are all kinds of organizers for the car and nightstand to keep his gadgets in check.
With so many options, all you need is a little imagination — and Google.