14 Things to Buy Your Dad for Father’s Day 2021
Is your dad hard to buy for? Ours are too. But just because they always tell us that “no gift is needed for Father’s Day” year after year, doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve to feel special and loved!
We at TruHome put our heads together to compile a list of gifts that we know your dad (or father figure) will love. And as always—most of these ideas help support local Edmonton or Canadian businesses. Keep on reading to get some ideas!
Purchase a Glass Bookshop autobiography
Picture this: your dad asleep on the couch at 7 PM with a good book in hand. That’s pretty likely to happen, right? The Glass Bookshop is a new space in Edmonton, Alberta, that focuses on Canadian writing with special attention paid to queer and racialized writers, as well as the independent publishers who help to produce their work. This shop is sure to sell a piece of writing that your dad will enjoy—oddly enough, all of ours prefer to read autobiographies!
Cook him a grand meal from Cheap & Chunky
It’s no secret that most of our dad’s are simple when it comes to food. Meat and potatoes? Sounds like a plan. By using Edmonton-based blogger’s blog Cheap & Chunky, you’ll be sure to find a recipe that your dad will adore. The recipes are just as it sounds: cheap, delicious and crowd-pleasing. We recommend making the Homemade KFC Chicken Bowl or the White Mac & Cheese. Thanks Alli & Nathan for all the yummy ideas.
Commission a family portrait
Dad’s are softies for anything family-related, so why not get a unique illustration commissioned for him? A local artist named Julia Jantje creates beautiful, unique, cost-friendly portraits that anybody is sure to love. All you need to do is send her a DM to get started!
Buy him restaurant gift cards
Is your dad stuck in his ways? Ours are too—and sometimes they need a push to try out new things! That’s why an assortment of local restaurant gift cards is a perfect Father’s Day gift for your father figure. Not only does it help out the restaurants that are being impacted by the restrictions and closures, but it allows your dad to try out the incredible food that Edmonton has to offer. Here’s a list of some of our favourite restaurants and bakeries!
Stock his liquor cabinet
If your dad is like 90% of other dads, he probably likes to kick back with a cold one every once in a while. There are a lot of local liquor stores to support in our city, but one of our favourites is Sherbrooke Liquor. Located Central-North, this liquor store is family-owned and sells some of the most unique beer, wine and liquor options that you can find. In non-COVID times, you can even fill up your growler there!
Commission something from Lucky Bear
Though this Calgary-based artist’s website focuses mostly on jewelry, Lucky Bear sells a lot of unique trinkets that your dad is sure to love. You can also commission anything you want, such as rugs, wall art, mirrors, coasters or whatever you can dream up! Get something for yourself while you’re at it.
Buy him a MetalBird
You’re probably thinking, “what is a metal bird?” And we wondered the same thing, too. If your dad is an avid outdoorsy person, he likely has a soft spot for birds. Just as it sounds, MetalBirds is a metal bird silhouette that can be used for backyard decor. With the simple tap of a hammer, this beautifully crafted, iconic, life-like bird silhouette will transform your dad’s backyard, garden or environment into a work of art and put smiles on faces for years to come. They are produced in North American and built out of premium 11-Gauge Corten Steel!
Commission a painting of your family home
If you have a family home that you grew up in with your dad, it’s likely a sentimental place—whether you still live in it or not. So, commission a painting of it for your dad this Father’s Day! An incredible Edmonton-based artist, Nancy Nickleson, is the perfect person to do that for you. Not only does she do portraits of homes, but she also does pets!
Get him a handmade leather wallet
Wallet’s don’t get nicer than this. Clo’s General Co is an Edmonton-based leather goods company that you will love supporting—whether for your dad or for yourself. Get him a beautiful, long-lasting wallet, bag, belt, gloves, beer cozy… you name it!
…And now for a few non-local things that your dad might die for.
Purchase him a corner measurement tool
Have you folks seen these on infomercials like we have? Designed for winding pipes, circular frames, ducts, etc. Ideal for fitting tiles, laminate, carpet, checking dimensions, moulding, the corner measurement tool is the perfect addition to any “Mr. Fix It” dad’s tool box.
Make him a Father’s Day Love Book
Want to make your dad cry of happiness this Father’s Day? Here’s your way to do it. Using LoveBook, you can create custom, sentimental books describing why your dad is special to you. Use its template books or customize it completely—it’s up to you. Bring the tissues and watch his eyes light up as he reads through his custom book!
Get him a custom bobblehead
If you’re not about making your dad cry from happiness, maybe you can make him cry from laughter instead. Handmade from polymer clay, a custom bobblehead might be the perfect gift for your dad this Father’s Day. You can even customize his clothing and pose!
Buy him an Apple AirTag
“Where are my keys?” Said every dad, every single time they went for a drive. With Apple’s new bluetooth AirTag tracker, you’ll never have to hear that sentence again! And not only are these gadgets great to attach to keys, but you can also attach it to bags, put it in your car, or even add it to your pet’s collar!
Purchase him pretty much anything from Cuddle Clones
Is your dad obsessed with his dog (or cat)? Then he will adore this present! Cuddle Clones allows you to turn your favorite buddy into anything you can think of, such as a mug, a blanket, a golf towel… you name it. And as an added bonus, Cuddle Clones donates a portion of every purchase to an individual pet in need, a shelter or an animal welfare organization.
We hope we sparked some inspiration for your dad’s gift this year! We hope you have a safe, healthy and happy Father’s Day 2021.
