I don’t know if your father is easy to shop for. My father, who is an amazing father and father figure to many is quite impossible. So many people love him and want to honor him with a gift that shows how special he is to them but in the end he puts in all into his “magic armoire”. That’s what we call the armoire where our gifts go into and we never see again because he is quite a humble man. Honestly he really just wants J.Crew underwear and socks and that makes him happy (oh and any Yankee paraphernalia he appreciates too).
That is why when shopping for dad on Father’s Day it’s important to make sure that you gift your father something that is original to him that he will appreciate and shows him how unique and special he is to you.
The Local Artisan Guide has picked a few gift ideas for dear old dad (or any father figure in your life) that your father will see immediately how exceptional they are and hopefully will not go into the magic armoire. For information just click onto the captions as all gifts can be sent from the brand’s online store. As usual The Local Artisan Guide provides gift suggestions of all price ranges. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to make dad feel special (but it definitely can go that way too).
Res Ipsa is a brand that makes artisanal products from Marrakesh. These one of a kind Kilim loafers for dad are not only comfortable but quite stylish. “This signature pair of loafers are made by hand at their Marrakech atelier from a vintage, 50-to-100-year-old handwoven Kilim rug. No two pairs are alike, making each a rare expression of craftsmanship and individuality. The shape is inspired by a classic British loafer, but the use of vintage Kilim fabrics gives them a distinct East-meets-West appeal—timeless, wearable, and made to last. Life’s too short for boring stuff—these are shoes with a story.”
For over 33 years Fragrance Shop New York has been providing an exceptional selection of rare fragrance oils, bath and body items, and aromatherapy products For Father’s Day we recommend creating a custom fragrance just for dad. Create a signature scent for dad so he can smell like no one else. Just contact Fragrance Shop New York for an appointment to create the scent. Nothing brings back memories more than the sense of smell so this is a gift that will live on and on.
Since the 1880’s the Bauer family have created leather goods that focus on functional design. Royce remains true to their artisanal roots, creating highly practical travel accessories that promote a seamless journey. Their manicure grooming set will keep your father’s grooming essentials neatly organized with their leather covered frame manicure grooming case, a sophisticated and travel-friendly solution for personal care. Made with top grain nappa the set includes: scissors, tweezers, a covered nail file, a cuticle trimmer, a fingernail clipper, and a knife, all securely held in place for easy access.
What’s the most custom gift you can give your dad? How about a custom made suit? Whether it is for business or special occasions (family weddings, christenings, graduations, promotions, birthdays, etc.) it’s a gift your father will be proud to own. So if your dad is a dandy and loves fashion and being in style, this is the gift of a lifetime. Monsieur Brunold, whose heraldry serves as the atelier’s distinguished logo, is more than 500 years old, with origins in St. Gallenkirch. Charles Brunold combines his understanding of fashion and etiquette with a signature sartorial style developed from a life abroad - bringing all clients an invaluably unique perspective to accompany their timeless look. Made to measure has never looked so good (just like your dad).
They say the modern man thinks of the Holy Roman Empire from multiple times a day to multiple times a month (let’s just say much more than women do). So if your dad is a history buff who loves the Holy Roman Empire these Roman Empire Silver Cufflinks are the perfect gift for dad! Since 1981, jewelry designer Lazaro Diaz has been creating what can best be described as "wearable art". His work reflects a rare connection to history and craftsmanship. These cufflinks are made out of solid sterling silver and feature a roman emperor in profile. Plus they are made to order and expertly handcrafted in NYC, each piece is engineered for strength and timeless style.
KATZ’S DELICATESSEN -FATHER’S DAY TRIPLE CLASSIC PACKAGE
Is your dad and foodie and a gift of food will go straight to his heart? Well, provided his cholesterol levels are good and he has good heart health we recommend the very popular Father’s Day Triple Classic Package from the world renowned Katz’s Delicatessen in NYC. In this package dad will get: a full pound of each of their most popular meats: house-cured corned beef, tender slow-cooked brisket, and of course their legendary pastrami! Plus a loaf of seedless rye, deli mustard, and one quart of each type of our famous pickles so Dad can recreate the classic Katz's deli experience at home. And to top that off they will throw in either Katz's t-shirt or hat so Dad can remember this epic meal that will disappear quite soon after he receives it.
STRAND’S BOOKS - “ANOTHER PERFECT DAY!: EVERY DAY IS FATHER’S DAY”
For the dad that loves to read and has young children, this is the perfect gift for dad from the independent book store Strand Books. “Another Perfect Day!: Every Day is Father’s day” by Andrew S. Taylor with illustrations by James G. Martin is a book about creating memories that will last a lifetime with dad. It’s a gift that will not only make dad happy, but will definitely bring a tear to his eye. Both dad and his kiddies can read this special book to each other creating special memories to last a lifetime.
We know mothers are important and make the world go around but a special father or father figure should be celebrated, honored and much loved. Happy Father’s Day from The Local Artisan Guide!
Another year, another blog on great Mother’s Day gift recommendations on The Local Artisan Guide. As always we offer curated selections that are artisanal, sustainable with stores that offer small independent brands created by artisans. Your mother will appreciate that you have given great thought to unique gifts that show how much you care. No robe from Sears here! All are available online just click onto the captions under the photos.
Rothy’s has been a longtime favorite of The Local Artisan Guide for years. The brand has been at the forefront of offering stylish footwear made from recycled materials that are comfortable and easy to clean. We are again recommending Rothy’s for this Mother’s Day as they just introduced espadrilles! Imagine a comfortable and stylish espadrille that is also made from recycled materials? We couldn’t resist! Rothy’s offers the espadrille in many colors and patterns so mom will have so many choices.
In our recent trip to San Miguel de Allende we fell in love with Mexican White Ceramics for home decor. The beautiful creamy glaze is perfect for all decor and color schemes. Made my local artisans of Mexico, Marquesa de Mancera offers a stunning and affordable selection of the ceramics. I guarantee your mother will be happy to have one of these handmade, artfully created pieces in her home.
If your mother loves jewelry (whose mother doesn’t) we selected this lovely necklace of multicolored gemstones from Dana Blair Design. Dana Blair always designs not only with aesthetics in mind but how the energy of the gems affect our lives. “This necklace is inspired by the meanings of the 27 individually wrapped stones used to create it. With its myriad colors, the Symbolic necklace pairs so well with any ensemble that you’ll never want to take it off. It looks great alone or layered with other necklaces. Available in 14k gold fill or sterling silver, on a 17″ chain.” All those colors will definitely fit in with mom’s wardrobe.
Res Ispa (legalese for “the thing speaks for itself”) is a brand that focuses on globally-designed one-of-a-kind products made from vintage and repurposed materials. Trust me your mother will love this handmade Cactus silk patchwork kimono made by hand in their atelier in Marrakech. Each kimono's front collar is trimmed with handwoven fabric, cactus silk fabric, or West African mud cloth. It is an original design that will go with everything you have in your wardrobe whilst being sustainable as all the fabrics are repurposed materials. She will be the envy of her friends and you might find yourself asking to borrow it yourself. Think of this gift as the much elevated version of the robe mom usually got for Mother’s Day when you were younger (that was dad’s idea of a gift for sure).
One of the problems you have with perfumes and fragrances is that it is quite common that others can easily share your fragrance (remember the 80’s when everyone and their mother was wearing “Obsession”?). When you seek out small independent perfume brands you drastically decrease this possibility and having a fragrance that is practically your own. That is why we love Widian perfumes. We picked “Granada” by Widian as it is the closest you can come to being in Granada without buying your mother a plane ticket (not that we are discouraging that). The copy alone for the fragrance had us running to try it out: “Resting beneath the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, with multiple World Heritage Sites dating back over a millennia, Granada sits at the crossroads of nature and history. A tribute to this rich legacy in all of its contrasts, the newest fragrance from Widian is a symphony of fiery passion and tranquil breezes, an exquisitely constructed parfum that combines exotic spices, lush florals, and a rich amber base to create an unforgettable, wholly unique experience. Delicately calibrated between he softness of rose and the freshness of juniper, the opening harmoniously blends with the intense heat of black pepper and cinnamon supporting a robust cedarwood heart. The luxurious scent is deepened with rich undertones of amber, musk, vetiver, and patchouli, creating a captivatingly perfect balance that sets you on an historic olfactory journey.” It actually makes for a great unisex fragrance so dad may be seeking a few dabs too!
In our last blog we mentioned visiting 2 Note in Kinderhook, NY and how we fell in love with their fragrance boutique. If you don’t feel confident enough to buy your mother perfume for Mother's Day this candle in the universally loved scent of “Opus 1”Lavender Black Pepper Sandalwood is a no brainer. There is also a “Opus 2” Balsam Fir Frankincense in case you want a woodsier slightly more masculine fragrance. The packaging makes it possible to travel with the 10 oz candle that is made with 100% pure beeswax. The candle is made locally with pure botanical essences, hand poured in small batches. It’s a gift she is not only sure to love, but to actually use.
Our last gift recommendation is the very affordable Mother’s Day Gift suggestion is a book by author Chris Power entitled “Mothers” (how appropriate). Available at one of our favorite independent book stores, McNally Jackson, the synopsis reads as: “A woman uses her mother’s old travel guide, aged years beyond relevance, to navigate on a journey to nowhere; a stand-up comic with writer’s block performs a fateful gig at a cocaine-fueled bachelor party; on holiday in Greece, a father must confront the limits to which he can keep his daughters safe. Braided throughout is the story of Eva, a daughter, wife, and mother, whose search for a self and place of belonging tracks a devastating path through generations.
Ranging from remote English moors to an ancient Swedish burial ground to a hedonistic Mexican wedding, the stories in Mothers lay bare the emotional and psychic damage of life, love, and abandonment. Suffused with yearning, Power’s transcendent prose expresses a profound ache for vanished pasts and uncertain futures.” If your mother is an avid reader and perhaps can’t travel so easily these day, Mothers is a gift that will let her travel in her mind.
While flowers, chocolates and greeting cards will also make her happy, we hope these recommendations show your mother that gift giving is an art form and one that leaves the recipient with feelings of gratitude for being fondly thought of. Let that be, there is no greater gift to mom than your actual presence, that is the best present of all. Happy Mother’s Day to the women who do the hardest job on earth where you never get a day off!
