My husband wouldn’t agree, but most people think that Dads are tougher to buy for than Moms.  How many grill sets and ties can one man add to his cologne collection?  My gift to myself for Mother’s Day was to finally see The Hunger Games, so maybe something along those lines are what a Dad might want – an afternoon of pure leisure.  However, if you want to give something to unwrap or hand over to a Dad you know, here are a few Father’s Day gift ideas to help you prepare for June 17th.
For the Gadget Dad who wants to share his iPad or Smart Phone with his kids, but wants to glean some educational value from the experience, there is Ruckus Reader. With Apps for lots of interests and age groups, the Ruckus Reader is a learning program designed by educational experts to help children practice reading skills and keep parents up to date on progress.  A six-month subscription is $24.99, and that allows access free and low-cost educational Apps for the iPhone and iPad. Buy it here: Ruckus Reader Subscription.
For the Dapper Dad who might want to cover his head during the summer there is a Dan’s Hats and Caps at 404 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. With fedoras, Panamas, cowboy hats and more at a wide range of prices, you’re sure to find something to shield Dad’s head from the sun.  Check out the website for Dan’s Hats and Caps, which includes items from the Newark location.  Crookhorns Menswear, at 242 Bellevue Avenue in Montclair, carries “everything from boxer shorts to business suits.” Perhaps you could even find a tie worthy of Dad here.
For the Dad with a Few Vices there are options all around town.  Amanti Vino has great options for beer and wine of the month clubs. And they deliver!  Fume Cigar Shop and Lounge, just across Bloomfield Avenue from Dan’s Hats and Caps, will provide a space with hi-def TVs and game tables to enjoy a wide variety of gifted cigars.  For the serious cigar lover, consider a yearly membership at Fume for $400.  And The Chocolate Path can offer up manly sweets that Dad will be loathe to share.  The Chocolate Path delivers treats to local towns, or they will ship them to far flung locations.  Alternatively, you can also choose to spring for a chocolate and wine tasting, complete with the history of the chocolates.
Perhaps the Dad you’re thinking of likes his day to be wrapped in bacon? Serve him a breakfast that includes bacon, and then present him with Bacon Bites, chocolate covered bacon, available at Trend Coffee and Tea House at 411 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair.  Not only is the packaging adorable, but it’s the perfect treat for a bacon loving dad.
And if your Dad is a Bookworm Dad, you’ll end up at your local bookstore for ideas.  The staff at Words, the Montclair Book Center, and Watchung Booksellers will be happy to guide you towards the latest books. Words, at 179 Maplewood Avenue in Maplewood, even offers the Bookpack. Each month, Dad will receive a new book.  Available in hardcover or paperback. Read about the Bookpack here. The Montclair Book Center now has vinyl in stock in addition to its new, used, and rare books.  Sounds like it’s perfect for the browsing or retro Dad.  And no one is better at making a book suggestion based on scraps on information than the staff at Watchung Booksellers.  So stop in and tell them a little about the Dad for whom you’re shopping.  They’ll be sure to find the perfect summer read.
Do you have other suggestions around town for the Dads in our lives? Tell us in comments!
For the Dad who has everything….accept enough time with his kids, here’s a great Father’s Day gift that’s free and creates memories that will last a lifetime.
Scoot & Doodle offers a family-friendly online playspace where families play and grow closer, face-to face, using the shared doodle pad. (https://scootdoodle.com/hangouts) For Dads that are away from their kids on a business trip, this kind of app is a great way for them to interact through more than just video. A child could draw a picture along with their dad in real-time. The cool part about Scoot & Doodle is that multiple people can draw at the same time, which makes a game like tic-tac-toe and pictionary possible. All you need is an Internet connection and a computer with a video camera and you can start hanging out.