One-of-a-kind gifts

FATHER’S DAY GIFTS 2023: THE YEAR WE MAKE DADS FEEL SEEN

Now I might be biassed here but I think my husband Frank has done pretty well out of Father’s Day gifts over the years and that’s not because I’m blowing my own trumpet (well, maybe a tiny toot!). It’s mainly because I know that my son Harry and I have really put the work in, that we’ve scoured the UK’s creative small businesses to find something thoughtful for Sunday 18th June that feels like ‘him’. And it does take a little bit of thinking about doesn’t it…

Finding the best Father’s Day presents isn’t easy. I mean, what do most dads actually want for Father’s Day? I’ve come to the conclusion that deep down, dads probably want what all parents want — to feel seen. To not just be the dog walker, dinner cooker and late night party teenager collector (or nappy bin putter outerer) — but for us to celebrate the real him. The him with passions and ambitions. The him with quirks and niches. The him he is when he’s not just being ‘Dad’, ‘Stepdad’, ‘Dog Dad’ or ‘Grandad’. Whatever kind of person you are shopping for this year, here are some unique gift ideas I really hope they’ll love. 

For the new King (of Dads)…
‘I’m The best’ party hat card, made of recycled paper and citrus peel rescued from waste, by Hadley Paper Goods.

For your ardent adventurer…
‘Personalised Team Adventure Patch’, ideal for stitching or ironing onto the rucksack, kit bag or coat of the family’s designated outdoor team leader, by Pine & Bear.

For unveiling his inner superhero…
‘Superb Man’ card, with artwork created by Peter Andrews at ARTHOUSE Unlimited, a charity that represents artists living with neuro-diverse and physical support needs.

For the dad about town…
‘Loved Sweater In Sunny’, made predominantly from ethically produced cotton and hand printed using black, eco-friendly, water-based ink, by Young Double.

For the family’s Head Chef…
7” vegetable cleaver with handmade carbon tool steel blades, created in small batches and released (if you’re lucky enough to get one) on Fridays at 1pm, by Blok Knives.

For man and his fire…
‘Personalised BBQ King Toolkit’, to fan the flames of his real passion (not burning things but intentionally chargrilling apparently), by Twenty-Seven.

For those with an eye for design…
Yakisugi wooden chopping boards, made from recycled or locally sourced materials, using the traditional Japanese method of preserving, sealing and colouring wood using fire, by ArtShed Brighton.

For the shed tinkerers…
Jar of tools biscuits, delivered in eco-friendly packaging with a percentage of every sale donated to 1% For The Planet, by Honeywell Bakes.

For marking that moment…
‘Solid Brass Personalised Engraved Cufflinks’, super personal, and designed and handmade in the New Forest by Man & Bear.

For when he loves to say, “Everything has a home”…
This personalised leather cable roll — which is Fairtrade, handmade and comes with a lifetime guarantee — is carefully crafted at the talented, one-woman workshop, MinuStudio.

For that evergreen reminder…
‘Personalised Handkerchief’, hand embroidered with a message of your choice so that Dad just knows, by Delicious Monster Tea.

For the animal lover…
‘Save The Animals’ bamboo socks, with 10% of profits from every pair donated to animal saving charities, by Bare Kind.

For your very own Daddy Bear…
‘Bear Family Keyring’, can also be personalised as Grandad Bear or Grandpa Bear, and features the cubs’ initials, by Kutuu.

For those who’ve found strength within…
‘Hector The Strongman Ceramic Matchbox’ handmade and painted by Brimble Studio, who say, “Hector is the strong man of the circus, he lifts unimaginable weights with his sheer brute strength. Everyone expects him to be a real ‘tough guy’ but really he’s very sensitive and emotional. He is known amongst the circus folk as the one everyone goes to for advice as he’s both empathetic and a great listener.”  A beautiful gift for the strong man you know.

For the dads with a conscience…
‘Criminally Good Beer’ Bestsellers Pack, containing social justice stout, IPA and lager — brewed while creating employment and training opportunities for ex-offenders, by Tap Social (perhaps unsurprisingly, this product contains alcohol! By purchasing this product you must confirm you are 18 years of age or over). 

For the more discerning beer drinker…
Hand-turned bottle opener, created on a lathe using traditional wood turning techniques out using reclaimed wood, by Something From The Turnery.

For those who love to try new things…
Containing everything needed to bake five delicious lots of homemade bread and made by the brilliant father and daughter duo at Kitty’s Kits (it makes a great activity for dads and kids too, and if you listen to their uplifting Conversations of Inspiration podcast episode, you’ll want to support everything they do).

For what all dads on Earth crave…
‘A Moment At Midnight’, 100% vegan chocolate, by Cornish founder, dedicated dad and self-confessed adventurer Josh, from Josh’s Chocolate.

For celebrating who he is to you…
Personalised leather bracelet, adjustable size-wize and handcrafted in Surrey, by Konoc.

For the new dads and the night owls…
‘Back To Bed’ men’s t-shirt, made from 100% organic cotton jersey, by Alphabet Bags.

For the dad on the go…
‘Speckled Clay Travel Cup’ with silicone lid, for men who like their coffee hot and have places to be (even if that’s just the cycling shed), by Old Brewhouse Pottery.

For the pizza perfectors…
Metal personalised pizza sign, created for artisan pizza appreciator dads nationwide, by SupSigns.

For the art appreciator…
Limited edition ‘Drink It Quickly’ wine, Le Petit Derna vintage 2017 combining great wine with brilliant art from David Shrigley, by Shrig Shop (again, we must warn you that this product contains alcohol. By purchasing this product you must confirm you are 18 years of age or over).

For reminding him that there’s no better time…
Apple watch charging stand, as useful as it is thoughtful for your resident fitness fiend, designed and hand carved by The Oak & Rope Company.

For precious memories made…
‘Personalised Glazed Ceramic Photo Tile’, which brings a memory to life in a beautiful cracked glaze (plus a tree is planted for every order placed to help tackle climate change), by The Drifting Bear Co.

Like what you see? Discover more one-of-a-kind gift ideas, for birthdays, 18-year-olds, stationery lovers and more, on my Inspiration Hub.