September is almost here (how this is even possible, I have NO FREAKING IDEA), but the start of September always means it’s time to celebrate dad.
Whether your partner is a gadget geek, a DIY dad or a hipster at heart, we’ve got an array of unique gifts that are sure to tick all the right boxes (and ensure you get something extra awesome for your turn in May).
Presenting the Mum Central totally awesome and completely fool-proof buying guide to Father’s Day.
Goodnight pants
Looking for a little something special to add to the $2 World’s Best Dad key chain the kids pick up at their school Father’s Day stall? Try these insanely comfy recovery sleep pants that actually use fancy-pants technology to repair dad’s body as he sleeps. Because being a dad of little ones is exhausting.
Pick up a pair at Under Armour ($120) and maybe ‘accidentally’ choose a smaller size so they fit you instead.
Get your groom on
Body hair be gone! Keep that sexy stubble at just the right length with the Braun multi grooming kit. The nine-in-one trimming tool allows for precision styling for face, head, body and beyond. Sayonara, nose hairs!
Available at Shaver Shop ($89).
Fidget fun
Fidgets cubes aren’t just for kids. I swear my partner fidgets with pretty much anything he can get his hands on. Keep his fingers occupied with Fidget Cube by Antsy Labs. It comes with gadgets to click, flip, roll, glide and spin, for the big fidgeter in your life.
Plus, it’s cheap as, which makes it the perfect pocket money present from the kiddies. Available at Kmart and Big W ($13).
Picture perfect
Spoil dad with a camera to call his own. The FUJIFILM instax SQ10 delivers the ultimate picture snapping (and printing) experience. From selfies to portraits, the SQ10 will bring out the budding photographer in your partner.
Plus, with Dad behind the camera, you might actually get to feature in a few photos rather than be the one taking the pictures! Double win.
The man candle
It’s a candle, yes, but it looks like a stubbie cooler, so it’s manly AF. Plus, it smells like red frog lollies. How can you say no to that?
Pick up the Red Frog Stubbie Candle from Pigeon and Weasel ($19.95).
‘Just in case’ compass
Bypass the BCF gift card this year and give him a gift he can actually use in the great outdoors – this affordable and ultra awesome compass. You know, just in case he happens to get lost.
Which never happens.
Pick it up from Aussie Disposals ($10.95).
Dad tea
Chill out and revive with a cup of tea. These teas from Mama Body Tea are made especially for dad, with extra macho ingredients like Chamomile, Passionflower, Yerba Mate, Siberian Ginseng and Peppermint. This might be another one that gets ‘accidentally’ used by you.
Grab Energise Dad tea or Chill Out Dad tea blends from Mama Body Tea in a 30 serve box ($17.95).
Serve it in this man-sized Dad cup from Kmart, a steal at $3. Because all dads need at least one World’s Greatest Dad mug.
The ultimate book of beer
Does your partner prefer a beer over a cuppa (mine too). We have the perfect gift for beer drinking dads too – The Great Australian Beer Guide. He can bring a little bit of literary refinement to Happy Hour AND brush up on his beer knowledge.
Available at Urban Altitude ($29.95).
Pimp dad’s bike
Weekend bike riding is the go-to pastime for many dads these days. Whether your partner prefers the mountains, the roads or the trails, protect Lycra-clad Dad in the event of a fall with the Victorinox’s Bike Tool. The nifty eight-bit gadget is small, lightweight and perfect for repairs on the go.
Available at Victorinox ($89.95).
You can make his bike-riding dreams even brighter with this cool bike spoke set, which lights up in the dark for commuting dads. Safety first, right? Grab an extra couple sets for your kids’ bikes too, because you know they are going to want them.
Available at Yellow Octopus ($19.99).
Hoop dreams
For a present that doubles as a toy for the kids, check out this Basketball hoop. We predict hours and hours of outdoor fun for dad and the kids (while you enjoy a wine from the comfort of the couch).
Available at Kmart for $25.
Feed the man meat
For dads who want to get in touch with their gourmand sides, check out the meat mincer ($14.99) and meat accessory kit ($7.49) from Aldi.
While you’re at it, you might as well pick up some meat too. After all, nothing ends an awesome Father’s Day quite like a backyard BBQ, especially if it gives dad a chance to test out his new toys.
Even more meaty accessories
Pair your collection of manly meat toys with a burger apron from Yellow Octopus ($22.99).
Or, even better, how about this bacon air freshener ($6.99)? Because nothing says “we appreciate you, dad” quite like a piece of bacon hanging from their car mirror.
Rally on
An idea for adventurous dads is a ride along in a rally car (we all love a good ride along don’t we?). This unique experience features 10 exhilarating laps in a WRX Turbo Rally plus one extreme hot (off road) lap in a Yamaha YXZ.
You can choose your location and your car through Red Balloon (starting at $108 for Queenslanders).
For the bearded
For the hipster dads, we uncovered a delightfully trendy small beard and wash set. Because we all know hipster beards require extra care.
Available from Shave with Valor ($35).
Bucket list poster
Inspire great adventures and decorate the man cave with something sleek and stylish, like this 100 Things to Do Before You Die poster. The handy advent calendar style poster allows you to peel off each thing as you complete it to reveal the colourful illustration beneath.
Pick up your poster at Until ($49.95).
New Dad Survival Kit
First time dads will be eternally grateful for this adorable New Dad Survival Kit, complete with beer, cheese and a nappy.
Get it from Hard to Find ($66.99). It ships from the UK but the shipping is free. Or, if you have a spare wooden box lying around, you can always make your own.
Build your own bar
Speaking of DIY, how about this build your own chocolate block for any DIY dads out there? It looks funky and provides a great afternoon project for dad (and the kids).
Available from Easter Egg Warehouse ($5.50).
The little nail banger
For the handyman dad, another great gift idea is this clever Nail It finger saver. It holds the nail in position while keeping Dad’s fingers out of harm’s way, thus eliminating the risk of him hitting his finger and shouting profanities throughout the house.
Available from Corner Store ($19.95).
Digital digits
We will end our guide with something for the retro geeks out there – the Casio Vintage Calculator Black Watch, perfect for the mathletes who love digits…and digital watches.
Available at Urban Attitude ($59.95).
We hope you enjoyed our ultimate gift guide and are inspired to stray outside the fishing aisle this year. Check out these adorable Daddy’n Me T-shirts for more Father’s Day fun.
