“What do you want for Father’s Day?”
“Ummm...nothing. I don’t know. Surprise me.”
Am I the only one having this same conversation every May/early June, year after year?! As a wife to an incredible husband and amazing father to our two children, I deeply desire to celebrate my husband big and well on days like Father’s Day. I love the idea of showering him with gifts that are meaningful or useful (or both!). I want him to feel appreciated, valued, and most of all, convey how grateful I am for all he does for our family. Not to mention, I need to celebrate and honor my own amazing dad, too!
But man, picking out gifts for the guy(s) in your life can be hard, right?
Father's Day Gift Guide
I’ve spent a lot of time browsing the wonderful wide web and asked some friends on Instagram for ideas. I’m hopeful that this round-up of Father’s Day gifts will make this year’s gift-giving a bit easier for us all!
Magnificat subscription + leather Magnificat cover
While it’s true that you can get the daily Mass readings online or in an app format, sometimes it’s nice to have the actual printed version. Not to mention, the monthly books include extra prayers and other writings to aid in faith formation. An annual subscription to Magnificat is affordable and useful (the books show up in your mailbox about a month in advance). The books are great to keep in the center console of the car, a briefcase, or a desk drawer. Bonus: this cool leather cover would keep them from getting torn up.
Cocktail kit
Pair this Crate & Barrel boxed bar set with the fun + cheeky book Drinking With the Saints and you’ve got a gift match made in Heaven for the guy who likes to pretend he’s a bonafide mixologist (anyone else’s husband?!).
Prayer journals
Val Marie Paper’s Prayer Memoirs and Men's Prayer Journal make great gifts for the guy in your life. Prayer Memoirs offers a space to jot down answered prayers, and the Men’s Prayer Journal offers monthly prompts with space to write prayer intentions for himself, his family, his work, his friends, and other areas of his life. For the guy who likes structured prayer and/or writing, this makes a great gift.
Masculine Rosary
I don’t know about you, but now that we’re real adults, I find myself wanting to upgrade things like our Bibles and Rosaries from our junior high versions. There are many beautiful Rosaries out there for men, including this combat Rosary (designed and issued to soldiers in WWI) and this “rugged Rosary” made out of paracord.
Horse Soldier Bourbon
Right after 9/11, a group of elite Green Berets were sent to north Afghanistan to help rally the rural tribes against the Taliban. These soldiers were nicknamed the “Horse Soldiers” because of they had to literally travel by horseback to reach some of the remote areas. These same soldiers went on to found American Freedom Distillery, who makes Horse Soldier Bourbon. If your husband, brother, or dad likes military history, America, or bourbon, they will love this. Pair it with a copy of the book Horse Soldiers, or set a time to sit down and watch the movie portrayal, 12 Strong, together.
Classic leather wallet
A staple on any gift guide for men: the leather wallet. But really though, every guy I know could use a new, nice leather wallet to replace whatever ratty one they have (or to replace the binder clip they’re currently using!) Here is a classic one that is made ethically in Peru or a pocket one made in the USA.
Coffee mug to make him laugh
This punny mug is perfect for the Catholic guy with a sense of humor! Pair it with some fair trade coffee from Catholic Relief Services Ethical Trade and call it a day.
Monk Manual 90-day notebook
Inspired by monks, the Monk Manual is a 90-day planner that “helps you focus on the most important things, so you can live each moment with greater purpose, productivity, and presence.” With a streamlined design and gorgeous leather cover, it’s great for the guy who likes minimalism, goal setting or mindfulness!
Wooden pocket cross
These crosses are small and designed specifically to be carried in a pocket as a reminder throughout the day to pray, hope, and not worry. An alternate, also pocket-sized idea is the pocket oratory, designed to aid in prayer while on the go.
Engraved leather mousepad
This full grain leather mousepad is handmade in the USA and can be engraved with up to 15 letters. Consider something other than his initials, like "AMDG". This stands for Ad maiorem Dei gloriam, the Latin motto of the Jesuits, which means "For the greater glory of God." The phrase “soli deo gloria” (glory to God alone) would also fit.
A conversation-starter tie
Would it even be a Father’s Day gift guide if there wasn’t a tie included?! If you’re shopping for a guy that rocks a tie on the reg, consider this Our Lady of Guadalupe option, this Marian symbol design, or this one featuring the Benedictine cross.
Good luck, and if you have any more ideas, share with your sisters in the comments!
Father's Day Gift Guide for the Catholic Dad #BISblog //Click to tweet