Gift Guide: Dads & Grads

June is a busy month for gift giving, kicking off with an unending parade of graduations and rounding out with Father’s Day. What do these two have in common? You need to be on your present A game if you want to give a thoughtful, awesome gift. Dad probably doesn’t need another tie (or, maybe that’s exactly what he needs, but would never ask for) and likely hasn’t updated any of his wardrobe or gear in years. The freshly minted graduate does not want a savings bond, thank you very much. They want something cool and different that they can take with them to college or out into the big, bad, real world that will make them feel a little bit special but never, God forbid, lame. We have compiled a gift guide for these two notoriously tricky recipients that will surely thrill them and seal your reputation as a Gift Giving Guru.

| Posted: 07 Jun, 2012 by Rene

1-10 of 10

• Sea Salt Soap

  

  Use Sea Salt Soap for washing up or shaving- either way you will smell divine and have super soft skin. You can’t beat the manly man nautical packaging, either.

  $6 at Smallflower | Buy

  

  | Posted 08 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Tumi Alpha Bravo Beale Mini Messenger

  

  A messenger is the ideal bag when you’re too old for a backpack and too young for a briefcase. Tumi’s Alpha Bravo is made of sturdy nylon with leather trim, keeping the look neat and hip for business trips or jaunts around the globe.

  $195 at Bloomingdale's | Buy

  

  | Posted 08 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Vesper Stripe Tie

  

  A tie might seem like a lame gift, but certainly not when it is as cool as this one. J.Crew keeps it classic with just a touch of colorful flair, making this English silk striped tie the perfect pulled-together preppy touch for first interviews.

  $60 at J. Crew | Buy

  

  | Posted 08 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Postalco Notebooks

  

  There is nothing like a fresh, blank notebook to inspire ideas. Postalco creates timeless notebooks that are as durable as they are useful. Pick from plain, lined or graphed sheets and pair with a stellar new pen for an inexpensive but thoughtful gift.

  $14 at Brook Farm General Store | Buy

  

  | Posted 08 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Bandits

  

  Your dad will go gaga for Bandits, which are basically super strong bungee cords with hooks attached. He can attack the nest of cables behind the televsion, secure…stuff, or organize the shed and potentially the world if left to his own devices. This set of 10 Bandits will be the hit of the year, guaranteed.

  $10 at cyberguys.com | Buy

  

  | Posted 08 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Koa Wood Business Card Holder

  

  This sleek business card case made of rare Koa wood features a tiny turtle, an ancient Hawaiian symbol for longevity, peace and good luck. What better way to send a new graduate out in the world? This unique case is engravable, too, to make your recipient feel extra special.

  $35 at woodulike | Buy

  

  | Posted 07 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Urbanears Plattan Headphones

  

  Rock on, dad. These sweet headphones from Urbanears allow him to blast his favorite songs without disturbing anyone else, in a too-cool mustard color. Urbanears are compatible not only with stereos but also iPhones, and collapse down into the size of a fist. Feel free to roll your eyes as he -loudly- sings along.

  $60 at Gifts That Give | Buy

  

  | Posted 07 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Polaroid 300 Instant Camera

  

  Are you old enough to remember Polaroid’s instant cameras of the 1980’s? Considered compact in those days, that clunky ancestor brings us the new Polaroid 300. The concept is the same- small camera, instant photos- but the pictures and camera are even more petite and smarter, with different scene settings. A fun novelty for weddings, parties or just hanging with your friends. Instantly captured memories are the best kind.

  $70 at B & H Photo Video | Buy

  

  | Posted 07 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• London Airport T Shirt

  

  Does the Dad or Grad on your shopping list suffer from wanderlust? Remind them of a favorite trip or city with Pilot And Captain’s softly worn airport t-shirts. We’re partial to the London version this year in honor of Olympic fever. The best part- no passport required.

  $32 at Pilot And Captain | Buy

  

  | Posted 07 Jun, 2012 by Rene

• Entry Butler

  

  Give the impression that you’ve got it all together even when you don’t. Entry Butler keeps all of your miscellany -bills, keys, your phone- tidied away and looking neat. Perfect for small spaces and those of us who veer into dangerously disorganized territory.

  $20 at Three By Three | Buy

  

  | Posted 07 Jun, 2012 by Rene