When it comes to Father’s Day presents, a gift as simple and sincere as a pair of socks can do the trick. Of course, dad would prefer something with a little more pizazz — an electric bug zapper that plays “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” every time it makes a kill, for example — but, being dad, he’ll likely just smile and thank you for the socks.
Here are five late entries in the let’s-get-dad-something-different sweepstakes. They’re not bug-zapper cool, but they’re not socks, either. Prices don’t include shipping or extra charges to ensure on-time arrival.
Socks? Who gives socks … ?
The guitar skillet
This cast-iron skillet comes already seasoned and is about 11-by-51/2-inches deep. It could be used as a snack dish or wall decoration, but be bold. You can cook cookies, cornbread, biscuits and the like in it. “Folks in Texas are crazy about them. Nashville too,” says Mark Kelly, spokesman for Lodge Cast Iron.
Buy it:
$14.95 at
lodgemfg.com
Hemergency Survival Kit
A different sort of tool kit for dad. The compact black case contains 20 indispensible items the old man needs to look presentable — a comb, breath freshener, extra buttons, lint remover, static remover, razor and shaving cream, toothpaste and toothbrush, stain remover … you get the idea.
Buy it:
$25 at
msandmrs.com
Shaving gift certificate
Let dad enjoy the Royal Shave, offered by The Art of Shaving Barber Spa. There’s the hot towel, a face massage with preshave oil, shaving cream and a double shave — first with the grain, then across. Then, another hot towel followed by an after-shave mask and rose water and after-shave balm. The spas are located across the U.S.
Buy it:
$55 at
theartofshaving.com
Cool-It Caddy
It’s a handy case that employs a chemical coolant and lightweight layers of insulation to keep small items (beer, pop, etc.) cold. It’s designed to fit into a briefcase or golf bag.
Buy it:
$30 at
cool-itcaddy.com
LadderWrap
This heavy plasticlike strip wraps around the top of a ladder, so you don’t leave scuff marks on walls or siding. It also helps the ladder grip the wall, so it’s a stabilizer as well.
Buy it:
$24.99 at
ladderwrap.com
