Boston - June 15, 2009

You Call Him Big Papa

2009 Father's Day Guide

Pencil cup (age 6). Light-up bow tie (high school). Last-minute phone call (last year). Good job, ingrate. This year, give Dad something that doesn’t suck.

You’ve had his signature blackened chicken enough times to know that it’s black because it’s burnt. Sign him up for a 90-minute barbecue lesson at Firefly’s (reservations at 508-357-6393). He and his buddies will learn to successfully marinate, sear, and smoke.

Even though it’s high-larious watching him repeatedly move his phone from mouth to his ear like it’s a walkie-talkie, make Pop’s cell more user friendly with a Yubz (Nest, 622 High Street, Dedham; 781-329-6466). The retro receiver plugs into just about any mobile so he can talk like he did before all this crazy technology.

The promise of seeing your father on an elliptical machine is enough motivation to get even you to the gym. The Sports Club/LA Boston (4 Avery Street; 617-375-8200) is offering three-day passes to DailyCandy readers and their Dads so you two can sweat it out together. (Call 866-887-8913 and mention DailyCandy to redeem the offer before June 28. Passes good through July 31.)

He’s been blue since David Ortiz stopped hitting “the goddamn ball.” Lift his spirits with the slugger’s brand new venture, Big Papi En Fuego Hot Sauce. Each flavor’s under $10 and promises to knock your sox off.

On Father’s Day, treat the old man to an evening of brown drinks and heavy smoke. The scotch and cigar bar at The Liberty Hotel (215 Charles Street; 617-224-4000) offers an assortment of 12-, 18-, or 21-year-old scotch and complimentary stogies. The Yard will be transformed for the night into a putting green so Pops can work on his short game, too.