June 3, 2008

Call Him Big Poppa

2008 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Back when he was a kid, gas cost a nickel and girls didn’t leave the house in an outfit like that.

You can recite his well-worn lines by heart. And you wouldn’t trade those daddy-isms for anything.

“Don’t make me pull this car over.”
He’d be a lot less crotchety on a Strida commuter bike, with its quick-folding frame and greaseless chain. The new special edition in cream is now in stock and looks sweeeet.

“Your ass is grass, and I’m the lawn mower!”
Let Pop flex his muscles with a membership to the new CityView Racquet Club (on an LIC rooftop), where you can challenge him to a game of tennis or squash then recoup with massages and beer.

“You working hard or hardly working?”
Meet the old man for his favorite happy hour drink at the house. Add a special touch to his highball by spelling D-A-D with letter ice trays. Greener padres will like new organic vodka Tru — because every bottle bought means a tree planted.

“What? This shirt is just as good as it was twenty years ago.”
For an hourly fee, fashion consultant Johanna Rivera will walk Father Dearest through his closet — editing the mess and retailoring favorite items before heading off to high-end showrooms for key wardrobe pieces that suit his style (917-304-6893).

To make a classic gift personal, try Fred Perry’s bespoke polo shirts (pick colors, tipping, and embroidered initials). They’ll ship them in a pretty package (Bergdorf Goodman, 745 Fifth Avenue; 212-753-7300).

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
He’ll think of you every time he reaches for his bills when you give him a recession-proof Bonbon Oiseau brass or nickel money clip.

Not that you have to buy his love.

To see what other dudes are getting, click here.