Online - June 05, 2006

Pop Rocks

Father’s Day Guide

Dads, like the men who become them, are available these days in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, so are the many gifts you can get them. This year, show dad how well you know him with a present that suits him to a tee.

Man of Style
Dad’s been riding the metro train since long before it was a trend. So he’ll appreciate a smart shirt from Nyne and a Sovereign Beck tie. With a space-age Nooka watch, fancy shaving set, and kick-ass wooden briefcase, he’ll be ready for his close-up.

Music Man
He gave you your first Beatles album and provided that Zeppelin soundtrack to your childhood. Repay him with Audiostiles, a digital music service that’ll load up his new video iPod with his favorite tunes. If those ear buds just don’t do the trick, help him out with a retro-style Specktone speaker dock.

Man with a Best Friend
Rover always heeled for dad (and dad always rolled over for Rover). Celebrate their bond with Dunhill’s adorable bulldog money clip. Looking for a different breed? 14K-9 makes gold tie tacks in the likeness of every dog imaginable.

Man’s Man
Tough guy, huh? That’s what he’d like you to think, anyway. Oblige him with a state-of-the-art ceramic charcoal grill (gas is for wusses) and assure him there’s no shame in an apron when it’s made of black denim. Finally, hand him a remote grill thermometer so he can keep tabs on the coals while watching the new John Wayne/John Ford film collection.

Man of Action
What’s cooler than a dad who surfs? A dad who surfs in the cutest new board shorts on the market. For days when surf’s not up, preorder Steven Kotler’s West of Jesus, the tale of the author’s quest into the interconnected realms of belief, neuroscience, and the spiritual side of surfing. For the dad who prefers his sport on land, the Radar Golf system will help him locate lost balls, and he’ll be proud to share Michel Cluizel’s golf ball chocolates with his pals on the links.

Man of Leisure
He prefers the term “lazy bum,” and who are you to argue? Serve him waffles on a sturdy breakfast tray, help him into his Stubbs & Wootton sailboat slippers, and hand him a state-of-the-art universal remote — you can be sure he’ll feel like the master of the universe.