Father's Day Gifts

~Doc Lawrence~      

He taught me how to win graciously and when faced with loss, to accept it with dignity. Fishing, baseball, grilling, hiking, swimming, good grades and good manners were core curriculum at home. Called upon to be the protagonist in much of life’s drama, father’s teach by example. My dad was a beautifully mannered, well-groomed, elegant Southern gentleman who did not suffer fools. I had him in mind when selecting a few gift ideas.

 

Whiskey for Father’s Day?  Handcrafted small batch Bourbon and Rye whiskey are hot items. Russell’s Reserve, a magnificent creation by Wild Turkey’s legendary Master Distillers Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie Russell is a top choice for any father, a simple gift that tells a compelling father and son story. The Russell’s worked side-by-side for more than 30 years. As Jimmy approached his 45th anniversary with Wild Turkey, Eddie created Russell’s Reserve in honor of his father.

Russell’s Reserve, a 10 Year Old Bourbon is deep amber in color with a nose rich in vanilla, oak, toffee and a touch of old leather. The body is huge, and the palate is very spicy with notes of chili peppers, tamarind, almonds and cumin.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is deeply complex with flavors of caramel, licorice, and vanilla. There will be slightly different characteristics from one barrel to another.

Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Old Rye is matured in the distilleries deepest No. 4 char barrels, producing complex but smooth flavors of allspice, pepper and almonds.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is colored rich caramel and with a balance of spicy pepper, vanilla and caramel on the nose and palate.

My father loved to read.  John Grisham’s Camino Island, soon to be another number one bestseller, is the latest thriller from one of America’s favorite storytellers. The plot includes a theft of the original manuscripts of F. Scott Fitzgerald classics like The Great Gatsby with much of the intrigue set on a barrier island in North Florida. Dad will find this book a wonderful accompaniment with a late afternoon Old Fashioned Cocktail.

When was the last time you wrote a letter? Ashley Davis’s poignant A Life through Letters is about his father and his letters to those he loved prior to his death. His words resonate with love and is a gift any father will treasure. Toward the end of his life, despite extreme physical challenges, he composed letters to every person who had touched his life in some way. Empathy, altruism, fellowship, and devotion radiate from the letters, a testament to a father whose legacy might be to inspire fathers to write some letters of appreciation to family and friends.

Playful and colorful Knocks Socks allow cultured, affluent professionals to express their own individuality even when wearing business attire. These visually striking socks are for the man who likes to dress with class and sophistication while telling the world that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. As a Father’s Day gift, they transform a dull gift into something extraordinary. www.knockssocks.com

Speaking of feet, bring fun to Dad’s feet with Gold Toe. Designing socks with the finest yarns for 80 years to ensure long lasting, comfortable wear, Gold Toe, one of the most recognizable brands in footwear, adds a touch of festivity with the Men’s Fashion Singles featuring styles highlighting everything from parrots to paper airplanes and funky stripes.

June is also Men's Health Month and Father’s Day might be the perfect time to kick start a path to wellness. Start with a healthy breakfast with a focus on nutrients. Smoothies are easy to prepare and if Dad isn’t getting his daily fill of greens, add The Synergy Company’s juiced powders to your blended breakfast. Try organic Kale, Barleygrass or Wheatgrass. A premier organic supplement company: www.thesynergycompany.com.

Gobble's Gourmet Dinner

There are times when elaborate dinner preparation just isn’t practical. Appropriately named Gobble features a 10-minute preparation of a gourmet meal that is delicious. Gobble offers a wonderful selection that comes to your door by online order , safely and easy to refrigerate and prepare. The menus are chef creations with a wide range of selections. Order once each week and it arrives shortly with instructions for preparations. A high quality dinner with ample servings. www.gobble.com

My love for Community Coffee goes back to undergraduate days when as a member of the Florida State ROTC Drill Team, I marched in the Mardi Gras Day Parade. Breakfast each morning included cups of Community. Since then, I’ve had a penchant for the robust, rich taste. Dad will enjoy the Red Press Duo Gift Set, featuring a brushed red stainless steel French Press and Community’s Private Reserve Louisiana Blend—a rich, bold blend made with 100% specialty-grade Arabica coffee beans.

 

Pilot Pen has some upscale selections that are stylish and useful. Toss in the meticulously designed  Metropolitan with brass barrel and stainless accents, available in three premium matte finishes and barrel designs. The Gel Roller writes like a fountain pen and is attractive.

Joseph Abboud’s label covers a lodestar of men’s luxury clothing and accessories. Dad will know you invested in quality and beauty when he gets a pair of the Java horn and matte gold metal polarized sunglasses or the supple handmade leather wallet. Add some magic dust with a few silk pocket squares. Available at Men’s Wearhouse and Joseph A. Banks.

Almost everything can be ordered online. I use Amazon, problem free.