A less-gendered Father's Day gift guide
Here's to celebrating people you love.
I have been writing “shoppable content” for well over a decade. When I started in the gift guide world, it was normal to lean on stereotypes to fill out gift guides. Pink flowers for Mother’s Day? Great. Grilling gear for Father’s Day? Perfect. Every recipient group fit into their own neat little box. But now that I finally have my own guides to create, I don’t want to be part of a system that categorizes people in this way because I think it can cause more harm than good. The last thing I want is for even one person to look at my newsletter and have it reinforce the idea that they don’t belong.
Yet, these holidays still exist — and people are still looking for gifts for their loved ones. And I love giving gift recommendations! It’s what Rel’s Recs is all about!
So where does this leave me?
It leaves me here carefully creating a guide that feels like it could be for dads but also really for anyone. You won’t find any grilling tools and you will find face serum. There is men’s clothing and there are also brooches. There is cookware and cocktail accessories and even a funky bird feeder. My hope is that you’ll find a balance of items: something for most types of dad out there.
There are also quite a few dads I know who could use a little ribbing, which is why I included a toilet paper roll holder that makes it easier to replace the roll and a large laundry hamper so clothes don’t end up on the floor. Wink wink, everybody.
Here are a few more of my favorite treats for the dads in your life. Check them out or skip to the full guide right here.
Comfy sweat shorts (from a B corp!): These seem so much better than basketball shorts.
A good tote bag: He has stuff to carry too! This would be great for the farmers market or to carry his tech to and from work or errands.
A small, geometric Confidence Brooch (or lapel pin, fine): Did you see the Met Gala? Everyone wore brooches. This is a nice starter. If you’re like, “what’s a Confidence Brooch?” here’s the TL;DR.
Mac and cheese that he’ll hopefully share.
A virtual plant appointment with The Sill. This would be a useful gift for a dad with a brown thumb who needs help, or someone who has tons of plants who just wants an expert eye.
An aesthetically pleasing phone, iPad, and MacBook Air charger. I love this charger. It comes in a bunch of colors and folds up into a little puck you can easily throw into your bag.
Slippers that are friendly on his joints because we’re all getting old. Oofos for all!
A mortar and pestle that looks nice out on the table.
An essential fisherman crewneck sweater. Yes, Jenni Kayne makes some men’s stuff. Yes, I love it so much.
Despite the long-standing history of stereotypical, gendered gift guides, I hope these days and these gifts give you a good excuse to celebrate the people you love. That’s what it’s all about.
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XO,
Rel
Very much want that olive tree...but might need the plant appointment too....
Those cutting boards! But that might be more like getting myself a gift….