Father's Day is this Sunday, and if you've done any sort of shopping or have bumped into a few displays recently, you might have noticed that dad-themed gifts have become a little cliché. The man of the house has become all too accustomed with framed photos (he knows what you look like), neckties, spots memorabilia, and anything relating to grilling.
But it's hard to shop for the man who has everything, or says he doesn't need anything. Which is why we've has put together a last-minute, local shopping guide for Phoenix dads, young and old, humble and hipster.
A smorgasbord of retro recreations, the Duce delivers old-school style and a few surprising gems for Dad, this Father's Day. Pick up a pair of PF Flyers for (high and low $55) and throw in a vintage rock N' roll tee ($55) to give dad a look that's never out of date.
If you want to give dad a gift that you can both share, consider purchasing some Mad Dog Workout classes ($10 each). Nothing spells father-child bonding time like sweating it out with dumbbells in a boxing ring.
Ditch the necktie, and get your dad a handcrafted, re-purposed, bowtie from Dapper + Dash. The Phoenix-based company makes artisan bowties in a variety of colors, patterns, styles, and fabrics, as well as fulfills custom orders (all for a flat rate of $42). To find out more, visit their website www.dapperanddash.com.
La Grande Orange recognizes that while treating dad to a meal is nice, it doesn't hurt to do a little shopping while you're at it. In the main front of their grocery store, you'll encounter Father's Day finds such as Dad's Playbook($12.95), Car Design Europe: Myths, Brands, People ($65), How to be a Cowboy ($19.99), Geek Wisdom: The Sacred Teachings of Nerd Culture ($14.95), Handy Dad ($24.95), and The Art of Roughhousing ($14.95).
And if you want to go that extra mile, package together gifts like Brooklyn BrewShops's Beer Making Book ($19.99), 99 Bottles of Beer (Three Journals $12.95), a Beer Tasting Tool Kit ($24.95), and Biere High Ball Glasses ($7.50 ea.).
Frances Vintage isn't just limited to Mother's Day goodies, they have quite a selection of apparel and accessories for fresh-dressing fathers. For the cocktail-drinking dad, pair the Stainless Steel Cocktail shakers ($40), Whiskey stones ($22), and 101 Whiskeys to Drink Before You Die ($19.95).
If you want to go the more fashionable root this Father's Day, check out their WIill Leather Goods belts (currently on sale, $32-$45), BTNS Paris 1961 Button Down shirts ($70-80).
But if fashion and drinking are two things you don't feel comfortable presenting to pops, Frances also carries simple dad-geared books such as Michael Chabon's Manhood for Amateurs ($25.00), Pocket Genius: 563 Facts that Make You the Smartest Person in the Room ($9.95), and the amusing, photo-filled, Dad's are the Original Hipsters ($12.95).
Practical art is your spot for everything handmade, and local this Fathers Day. Show your dad that he's one-of-kind with a unique assortment of wooden wine stoppers by Richard Altenhofen ($22 ea., custom-made wine stopper stand $40) .
Take his culinary tools to new aesthetic heights with colorful assortment of reclaimed knives, skewers, and beyond by Lee Zierten ($55-$115). Or opt for a creative spin on a classic gift and get him a beautiful (er...manly) assortment of turned wood mechanical pencils from Richard Altenhofen and reclaimed pens from and Paul Darnell ($40-90).