It’s our annual The Local Artisan Guide Father’s Day Gift Guide and we have had such a great time researching, shopping and following recommendations for gifts that will thrill your father and show him how exceptional you think he is with an equally exceptional gift.
We have gift recommendations for multiple categories and a variety of price points from very affordable gifts to extremely aspirational gifts. The brands are small, artisanal and have a story. There is something for every dad here that values craftsmanship, design, unique products, beauty and knowing you went the extra yard to show them how much you love, honor and care for your dad or dad figure. This is for you dad for being there and being the best dad you could be.
We have ten gift recommendations in no particular order. You can find the info by clicking onto the link in the captions. Although all are found at brick and mortal stores they can be purchased online.
OILOGY - KING TUT FRAGRANCE
OILOGY—a New York based fragrance brand founded by two immigrants, one Columbian, one Egyptian, created a brand inspired by the rich scents of the Middle East. We discovered a scent we know your dad would love, King Tut, one of their most popular scents for the fresh and clean aroma. The scents are long-lasting and alcohol-free made from high-quality essential oils. King Tut is a combination of sea notes, grapefruit, mandarin, orange, bay leaf, jasmine, ambergris, guaiac, wood, oakmoss and patchouli. This artisan fragrance brand is also very affordable for such a unique signature scent.
RECOLLECTIONS: THREE DECADES OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN SEXTON
If your father loves nature and appreciates fine art photography may we recommend Recollections: Three Decades of Photography by John Sexton. John Sexton is an acclaimed fine art photographer who specializes in nature photography. He studied photography with legendary American photographer Ansel Adams and shares the same aesthetic of capturing spectacular landscapes around the world. With Recollections we see stunning images of American national parks and vistas from Yosemite to the enigmatic rock forms of the Colorado Plateau. Your father will love going through these images and it also might inspire a trip to these incredible landmarks. You can even give the gift as a precursor to a road trip together for memories that will last forever.
FESTE - ARTISAN 85 RATTAN COCKTAIL SHAKER
This gift is the perfect gift for the dad who loves to make cocktails, the Rattan Cocktail Shaker from Feste, a brand that specializes in making entertainment beautiful and special. The cocktail shaker was “Designed in Canada and handcrafted by a network of global craftsmen, Artisan 85 serving utensils and accessories bring a unique flair to any gathering. The cocktail shaker brings a relaxed, coastal vibe to your next cocktail party with the Rattan bar accessories. The woven natural fibre adds texture and visual interest to bar essentials. The decorative natural rattan can be easily removed when cleaning. Handcrafted. Material: Stainless steel, natural rattan. So whether it’s a good old fashion Old Fashion or your dad likes to experiment in mixology, this cocktail shaker is not only a great gift but incredibly affordable too.
OFFICINE CREATIVE - JULES 006 BROWN LEATHER TRAVEL BAG
Officine Creative is a brand we love and have been following since they opened in Nolita, NYC. It was founded in the 90’s in Italy with a team “combining peerless craftsmanship with a distinctive creative flair to create something truly unique” which is one of the reasons we think this travel bag is an exceptional Father's Day gift. Officine Creative successfully mixes modernity and traditional artisan craftsmanship. Although this travel bag is definitely aspirational we feel it is one of those pieces that can be past down from generation to generation as a family heirloom. It resembles a traditional doctor’s satchel bag. The Jules 006 is handcrafted from beautiful Italian airbrushed brown leather. It’s a classic travel bag with top handles, removable shoulder strap and functional zip pockets inside and out. The dimensions are 48W x 30H x 22D Cm - (31,5 L). It also comes in the color black. Dad would definitely treasure this gift forever, he can use it visiting Yosemite on that road trip that the two of you have been talking about.
SWEARY BINGO - BOOKSHOP.ORG
Is your dear old dad getting up there in age? Do you want to help his memory and coordination skills but can’t seem to get him to try new activities? Well then this is the game for your dad! Sweary Bingo is a cheeky gift that dad should love no matter the sharpness of his thinking skills. The tag line is “A Party Game for the Potty Mouthed” There is a selection 64 insulting and creative swear words to shout out, in this potty-mouthed version of the classic game. You can have up to 12 players, there is a master board, 64 tiles, 100 counters, and a glossary is included to explain some more unusual terms, lists the geographic origin, highlight creative variations and generally raise your swearing game. This is the most fun your dad will have while sharpening his memory skills. I would especially recommend this gift if your dad is not the swearing type as think how liberating it can be for him (and you!). Bookshop.org is where you can find Sweary Bingo, it’s an amazing site to buy books and games that donates money for local independent bookstores ($48,163,771.39 so far) to help them thrive. So win/win!
JACKFIR - THE FACEKIT BUNDLE
Men’s grooming products are always a good gift for dad, however we are particularly excited about Jackfir grooming products and the story of their creation. Jackfir’s founder, Charlie Razook, first created the brand in the midst of 3.5 years of leukemia treatment. After researching about the environment and the toxins we are exposed to in our wellness products, Charlie decided to come up with a certified-clean men's skincare brand offering trustworthy and effective personal care solutions inspired by nature. Jackfir offers clean grooming essentials, including facial cleansers, moisturizers, and shaving creams formulated with predominantly organic ingredients. The brand is vegan certified, GMO free, gluten free, contains natural ingredients is plastic neutral and is a member of ONE TREE PLANTED. They offer on their site a a bundle called The Facekit which includes their Classic Shave Cream, the Classic Daily Moisturizer, and the Classic Daily Cleanser. Combined these three products will help your dad’s dry skin, face wrinkles, redness and irritation and dark spots all while knowing your dad will not have any exposure to toxic chemicals and irritating ingredients. This can even become one of those great father/son gifts as it is a brand that any man in your life would be grateful to have. The brand is also available at Credo beauty boutiques.
VIBERG - SLIP ON - BISON JANUS CALF SUEDE
One of the reasons there is The Local Artisan Guide is to help our audience find amazing heritage brands that can easily be overlooked if you don’t live in the area the product is created or the marketing is not overblown. Viberg is one such brand. Viberg is a Canadian heritage men’s footwear brand founded by Edwin Viberg in 1931. The brand is renowned for its high quality timeless shoes and boots. The brand can trace its shoemaking lineage back to the 1890’s in Sweden where the family learned how to make scrabble boots for farmers and workers. The brand has stayed in the family with Edwin’s grandson Brett Viberg at the helm now. Brett has continued on the family business and has added some more contemporary silhouettes to the collection which is why we recommend the Slip on - Bison Janus Calf Suede Shoe as we felt it was very “DAD”. Although this gift is on the more pricier of our gift guide, between the quality, the craftsmanship and the aesthetics of the brand, it is a gift that will be greatly appreciated and cherished. “Janus is a calf suede with a fine, even nap and a soft, open surface. It remains relaxed in structure while gaining depth with wear. Bison offers a cooler, lighter brown with a quiet, understated depth. Built on the 1005 last, a round-toe sneaker last with a minimal heel drop and flat removable footbed. Made on a full leather insole with solid leather toe and heel stiffeners, creating a stable internal structure that maintains shape and improves over time. Finished with a natural edge, maintaining a lighter contrast.” Handmade in Canada! If you want to go all out, this is the gift for dad.
FLYING SOLO NYC - AURJA - BLUE AUM CARDAMOM HINOKI MOSS CANDLE
We always like to have a candle in our Father’s Day Gift Guide and this year especially as we just came upon the brand AURJA. Aurja not only has a candle scent that dad will love, when it burns out there is a beautiful object left behind for dad to enjoy and be part of his decor. We found this candle brand at Flying Solo NYC, a boutique that sells and promotes independent, small brands. The candle comes in a beautiful blue ceramic vessel designed to stay on your dad’s shelf long after the wax is gone. “Aum” is named for the Sanskrit sound of universal alignment, the vibration beneath everything. The scent notes on the candle are Cardamom, Hinoki, and Wild Moss. It was custom-developed with French perfumers sourcing the finest ingredients from across the world. If you want your father to have a scent that will calm the mind this is the gift. Peace of mind is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and others.
MALBON - HABANA POLO
If your dad has exceptional sartorial style we have the polo for him! Malbon is a luxury golf sportswear brand founded in Los Angeles in 2017. Malbon’s mission is to make a product that is bold and unique in a world where there is too much conformity and they do this while also being elegant. That is why we love the Habana Polo, it is an updated classic. Crafted from a soft cotton blend with a refined v-neckline and ribbed trim for structure, it's finished with Malbon’s signature sugarcane stalk print—a motif woven throughout the season. They motto is “Malbon style from first tee to clubhouse.” however your dad does not even have to like golf to enjoy this refreshed polo look. With 92% cotton 8% nylon and relaxed fit, it is sure to become his favorite casual item to pull out of his closet.
ROWING BLAZERS - WINNIE-THE-POOH HUNNY POT DAD HAT
And last but certainly not least is the gift to get for the dad who is nearly impossible to get a gift for because he has everything already (including YOU!!), it’s a baseball cap! How can a dad not have enough baseball caps. It’s a fun, useful and affordable gift for dad on Father’s Day. We picked the brand Rowing Blazers, a brand created in 2017 by Renaissance man Jack Carlson who has been having fun with the look, traditions and quirks that come with being preppy. That is why we picked the Winnie-the-Pooh Hunny Pot Dad Hat which features the an embroidered Winnie-the-Pooh motif made out of 100% cotton-twill. The baseball cap is one size and adjustable and is the ultimate “dad” hat. It’s classic, it’s preppy, it’s funny, it’s love, just like Winnie. It’s perfect for dad.
That is our gift guide recommendations. Like we said, we included all different categories, all different price points and all made by small local brands made with craftsmanship for the father figure in your life. So show dad how unique he is just like the gift choices and that you have been thoughtful in finding a gift to express your love to him. Happy Father’s Day for all the great fathers and father figures in the world that showed up and did their best to love their children.
By Natalie Rivera