Father’s day ideas for the frantic! Need a last minute gift for dad? Here are some of our favorite father’s day ideas:
- Take dad for a picnic to any of the state parks on Father’s Day. All cars with Maine plates get in free on Sunday, June 15. (Except Baxter State Park, Scarborough Beach, and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory.)
- Get tickets for “Chamberlain” at the Maine State Music Theater. MSMT is the only place you can see this Civil War musical, which was last staged 15 years ago, and can only be shown in Brunswick.
- Get some planters and put together a few little gardens for fresh herbs or greens. Or get dad a share in a local CSA.
- Pick out several experiences to share over the next few months. Get movie tickets for a much-anticipated opening, get tickets for a ball
game, or a train ride. Knowing that you’ll do something together over the next few months would be a great Father’s Day idea. Or do something that involves his favorite hobby. Get a subscription to a hunting or car magazine, a day on the links or scout out some new apps for his iPad. - If dad likes an occasional cocktail, indulge in one of the Maine-made spirits available in most grocery or liquor stores. Look for the Maine-made section. Or put together a basket of Maine food, from cheeses to jellies. Or consider the home brewing or home wine-making kits available as a father’s day idea.
- Is dad far away? Honor him with a Habitat gift. Or send him a Kiva gift card. You put a donation in his name, and he gets to allocate it to entrepreneurs around the world in $25 increments. You can email many gift certificates now, or send him a gift certificate to a favorite local store.
Father’s day ideas for the cook
- My dad liked to cook, so a few new recipes or a special cook book and the key ingredients for a meal I knew he would like was always appreciated. Also, a big hunk of blue cheese with a ribbon that he could discover in the fridge! My dad also was a fan of anything ginger, so he would often receive a box of ginger jelly, an odd ginger ale, candied ginger, a ginger candle….you get the picture.
- May grocery stores now have a gift card rack with everything from clothing stores to the big box home repair places. Buy a chocolate hammer and add a gift card for a tool of his choice.
- Or make your own gift cards for a chore around the house or a project that needs some intensive attention.
- Does dad love cribbage? Learn how to play, and surprise him with a new cribbage set. Let him know you learned to play just so you could play with him. Ditto checkers, chess, Battle Ship or Space Invaders!
- Sign him up for a class with the local Community Ed department. There are computer classes, language classes, lots of art, travel programs……if he needs transportation, pre-arrange a ride.
Most people don’t need more stuff! Things to consume, share, and experience make unique gifts and great memories.