Your essential Father's Day gift guide
Father's Day is only a few days away. If you haven't organised anything yet, we have a few ideas your pops might be into.
Father's Day is this weekend. How did that happen? We thought it was months away. That's what the sunny weather and way too many cocktails on a rooftop bar will do to you, I suppose.
I have to admit, my family is not a Father's Day family. Now, it's not like my dad's children are cruel people. My brother and sister and I are not the types of children who abandoned the nest like consciously aware wasps; we just never made a big deal of those sorts of 'holidays'.
When we were young, we used to get my Dad really crap men's toiletries for Christmas that he never, ever opened. He had his own bathroom things, and that's what he stuck with. That's the thing about men, in my experience, especially fathers. They like to buy their own things. Useful things. Things that fill a gap in their lives somehow, like a brewing kit or a gadget that counts the number of miles you cycle. Fathers are hard to buy for. This list might help.
Head stuff
I said we used to give crap toiletries to my dad at Christmas. These ain't crap. I bet you know a load of guys who don't wear SPF or moisturiser, just because they never think to. Get them a two-in-one and explain why they have to use it every day. Mention that UVA rays will make them look old.
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Lab Series Day Rescue Defence Lotion SPF 35 €36.45
This new one from man-friendly brand Lab Series combats sun, dehydration and pollution. It's invisible and absorbs quickly, and for men who don't like putting things on their faces, this is pretty important.
NEUÚ Shave Gel €24 / Post Shave Balm €30
NEUÚ is a new Irish skincare line for men that lots of dads will want to support. The NEUÚ team produces their own active ingredients for their seaweed skincare range, with a unique seaweed oil extract at the heart of every product. As well as shaving products, they have moisturiser, face wash, eye serum (!) and hair stuff, too.
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Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner €28.95
I bet the one skincare product you'd never think to give your - or any - dad is toner. Well, why not? I love toner; some fathers out there definitely would too. This one from Dr. Hauschka is specially formulated oily skin. And you know who has oiler skin, in general? Men. (It's thicker, too.) This balances excessive oiliness, soothes redness and irritation and minimises the appearance of enlarged pores and blemishes.
Aveda Invati Advanced 3-Step System €33
Usually, Aveda products are super pricey, especially when you buy more than one. This decent sized travel set features three Invati products that are meant to target hair loss. It's a good one for if the dad you're buying for has been complaining about a potential bald spot.
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Remington Flex360 Rechargeable Wet & Dry Shaver €69.99
If I know dads, I know they like a gadget. This is a palm-sized shaver, smaller than the average, that hugs the face as it shaves for a close, comfortable shave. And if he just goes back to his trusted portable, you can steal this for yourself - it sounds like it would work wonders around the knees.
Treat Himself
You're not the only one who likes weekends away, you know. Venues are cottoning on that some men don't just want a massage (although a lot do. His poor back).
The Cliff House Hotel, Waterford
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The Cliff Spa Gourmet package is the perfect treat for the foodie daddy. It includes one-night in a Sea View room in Cliff House Hotel, dinner for two in their Michelin-starred restaurant, a full Irish breakfast and a 30-minute treatment in The Well by the Sea, the beautiful spa at Cliff House Hotel which uses a bespoke product range, The Well at Cliff. This package costs between €475 and €600, pending season.
Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Cork
The Father’s Day Spa package at Inchydoney includes a two-night bed and breakfast stay in Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, staying in a room overlooking the beach, a Herbal Back Cleansing Treatment to enhance wellbeing, relax and detox the body and a Specific Pain Relief Algae treatment. Each dad will also receive an Elemis Instantly Refreshing Gel to take home with them. €275 per person sharing but if your Dad lives locally and you just want to give him a day out, it’s €149 for the spa treatments and time and Elemis Gift.
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The Caesar at Spa Salveo in Knockranny House Hotel is a gentle introduction to the art of the spa for any male spa novice. €199 per person sharing including dinner, bed and breakfast and The Caesar package.
On Sunday, June 17th, Lyrath Estate is hosting a Father's Day barbeque. Chefs will be cooking up a storm from 1 - 4 pm and every father present on the day will be treated to a free pint at the bar.
If families want to enjoy a walk either before or after they tuck into barbie food, they can wander around the lush walking trails that take in beautiful views of the lakes. There is plenty of natural wildlife on these trails, with 2.5 km and 5 km options available for those looking to explore the grounds.
Adult tickets €28 per person, children’s tickets €10.
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Skinfull Affairs, on Wicklow Street, Dublin has loads of treatments that your dad can pop in for. He can have a back, neck and shoulder massage (30 min treatment, €35, or a 45 min treatment, €45), Beard Line Threading (15 - 30 mins, €25), Yon-Ka express men's facial (30 mins, €40), Gent's manicure (20 - 35 mins, €30).
Wear it Well
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Cool dads like t-shirts with pictures on them. All dads like t-shirts. Done.
Most dads like sporty, outdoorsy clothes. Maybe they won't wear them doing outdoor things, but they appreciate owning something just in case.
Fancy Fragrance
John Varvatos Artisan Pure €89
For the man who doesn't want fragrance but actually does. This will look good on his dressing area, and it really does smell good, too.