With Father’s Day fast approaching this Sunday, many of us are left wondering … what do you get for the dad who has everything? How do you find something that’s popular enough to please, tailored to your dad’s taste, and offbeat enough to be interesting? We checked this year’s most popular gift ideas, courtesy of the National Retail Federation, and discovered we can do better.
But before we dive into gift suggestions, here’s a little Father’s Day tidbit you can use to impress the old man, reassuring him that you were paying attention in school. The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it wasn’t until 1972—58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official—that President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday. Dad has been getting ugly ties ever since.
But not this year!
Ironically, despite all the ugly tie jokes, vintage clothing is hip again. It brings in style and nostalgia that you just don’t get from the latest fashions. And, of course, if that vintage clothing comes from “The Dude,” well, you just may secure your inheritance.
Julien's Auctions
A screen-matched bowling shirt and plaid shorts worn by Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski in “The Big Lebowski,” the 1998 stoner crime comedy from Joel and Ethan Coen about bowling, Vietnam, and a convoluted kidnapping plot, are available through Julien’s Auction. Presale estimates for the June 14 auction are between $100,000 and $200,000. Hey, no one said cool comes cheap.
If you think you might want to spend a little less cash but still want to be groovy, perhaps you can get Dad a pair of custom-decorated psychedelic pants circa 1970. This amazing pair of techno-color corduroy pants features cloth pieces added later by the consignor’s girlfriend. The patches are from curtains, bathrobes, blankets, and the like, making the pants a lot like Dad: a charming relic of a bygone era.
Maybe Dad enjoys a little bling. So, if you’re thinking of jewelry, might we recommend a watch? And because your father deserves the best, you might consider a Rolex Daytona. But not your run-of-the-mill Rolex Daytona that might set you back a mere $30,000 or so. No, we’re suggesting you splurge on Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, which sold for $17.8 million at auction in 2017, the most of any watch in history. His 1968 model Rolex was a gift from Joanne Woodward, his wife of 50 years when the actor got hooked on racing cars. After this present, your dad can cruise around the neighborhood, telling everyone what a great kid he has.
Remember when Dad would look at you lovingly and say, “Go soak your head!” Well, now you can tell him the same thing, but in style with a vintage diving helmet, only the most rugged and manly gift you could possibly give your father.
Diving helmets have been around in some form or another since the 1820s. Although manufactured worldwide by several companies, the US Navy Mark V is one of the best-known and most recognized diving helmets in the world. It’s a classic – like Dad! The Navy used the Mark V from 1916 to 1984. A Mark V is going to cost you in the neighborhood of $10,000 or more. But they’re the ultimate cool gift dad would never get for himself. And besides, the next time you tell him he’s “all wet,” he’ll be prepared.
Maybe Dad is a sports fan. In that case, you might consider getting him a sports card. And no sports card says I love you better than a 1952 Mickey Mantle Topps baseball card. Of course, if you’re in the market for the most iconic card in the sports collecting hobby, you’ll want to bring your big-boy or big-girl wallet because iconic doesn’t come cheap. In August of 2022, the finest 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card ever to appear on the market sold for $12.6 million. Gulp! On second thought, maybe a hug would do the trick.
Or a gift card. But let’s face it, a vintage gift card would probably have expired by now. Instead, try putting a valid gift card in a vintage holder, like this Florenza gilt brass Persian-style griffin card holder.
No matter what gift you decide to give your dad this Father’s Day, never forget that he thinks you’re already the greatest gift he ever received. Dads are funny that way.
You May Also Like:
With Antique Diving Helmets Adventure Awaits Just Below the Surface
Paul Newman’s Rolex and the Greatest Watch Ever!
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