Despite what the greeting cards will tell you, not all dads are hunters, fishermen or golfers and that can often make gift-giving a difficult chore. If the top pop in your life doesn’t fit the stereotype, we’ve done the legwork and come up with a dozen gift ideas for every type of Seattle dad. The best part? Each are available for $55 or less. Scroll down to see our picks.
It may seem that time has stopped at Ebbets Field Flannels, but it hasn’t. The company makes brand-new sports team clothing with a vintage look from teams that no longer exist. For instance, this replica of a 1955 Seattle Rainiers baseball hat is made with red wool broadcloth, a horse hair buckram crown, satin taping, cotton sweatband and authentic embroidered logo ($49). The 100% cotton t-shirt, also made with the same care, comes with a carinal red reactive dye and an enzyme wash for softness. $30.
Ebbets Field Flannels 108 S. Jackson St. Seattle, Wa 98104 888-896-2936 Online: ebbets.com
Most dads come into this world with a strange ornate power to grill meat. However, even the most seasoned griller can learn a thing or two from the masters. Northwest Chef Tom Douglas has created three perfect potions of spice mixes to make dad’s burgers even better. This three-jar set includes 3.5 oz. each of Douglas’ Rub with Love spice mixes for beef, chicken and salmon. $20.
Made in Washington
400 Pine St. Seattle, Wa 98101 206-623-9753
1530 Post Alley Seattle, Wa 98101 206-467-0788
190 Bellevue Square Bellevue, Wa 98004 425-454-6907
3000 184th St. SW #196 Lynnwood, Wa 98037 425-771-3212
Treat Dad to a variety of unique and different root beers each month with the Variety Root Beer of the Month Club. Choose the six-pack membership ($15.95/month) or 12-pack membership ($24.95/month) where dad will receive six or 12 different types of root beer every month (no minimum number of months required). Order the “A Gift Wrap of Festive Fun” and dad’s first month of frosty beverages will come with a party inside the box, including crinkle confetti, balloons, a mini-bow and a customized note ($4.95).
This lightweight set of nine bocce balls (just 12 oz.) comes in its own nylon and mesh zippered pouch (5.5 x 5.5 x 2 inches). Easy to pack in a backpack or keep in the trunk of his car, dad will be ready to provide the fun at the next camping trip, picnic or lawn party. Psst...if dad hasn’t played before, he’ll pick it up quickly. Only two people needed to play. $15.
REI 222 Yale. Ave. N. Seattle, Wa 98109 206-223-1944 Online: rei.com
You might want to make sure that Dad has his morning cup of Joe before handing him the Coffee Crew Man Crate (aka the one-of-a-kind gift that isn’t easy to open). In fact, the sealed crate is delivered with its own laser-etched crowbar and "absolutely no instructions.” Once inside though, he’ll be delighted to find a 15 oz. brushed silver Glacier Camp mug (which can be etched with his name), a portable GSI Java Drip and two ounces of Warrior Select Coffee, so he can enjoy his “small batch” brew wherever he goes. Allow two extra days for etching. $20.
Now you can tell dad to “go fly a kite” and not get in trouble. The Prism Designs Synapse 140 Speed Foil Kite (which sounds more like a James Bond spy gizmo) is easy to use, even for beginners, and is very relaxing. And get this: there’s no parts to lose nor assembly required. The self-inflating kite comes complete with 60 feet of 80 lb. Dyneema lines and wrist straps and is able to fly in winds from 6-25 mph. When dad's finished, it all gets packed up in small pouch for easy travel. $50.
REI 222 Yale. Ave. N. Seattle, Wa 98109 206-223-1944 Online: rei.com
What chocolate pairs well with beer? How about coffee? We don’t know either, but fortunately, Theo Chocolates does. Theo’s Beer Chocolates contains some truly unique combinations made with local brews including Immersion Amber Peanut Caramel (made with Two Beers Brewing), Dark Star Imperial Oatmeal Stout Marshmallow (made with Fremont Brewing), Hive Five Hopped Honey Ale Pate de Fruit (made with Pike Brewing) and Bodhizafa IPA Syrup Confection (made with Georgetown Brewing). The box includes one of each ($11). If coffee is dad’s thing, he’ll appreciate Theo’s Coffee Caramels which are basically buttery caramel blended with Congolese Caffe Vita coffee that is covered in milk chocolate and topped with a white chocolate flourish. $10.
Theo 3400 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle, Wa 98103 206-632-5100 Online: theochocolate.com
For the Dad Who Has Everything and No Place to Put It
This ingenious porcelain Vintage Matchbox can hold anything from Q-Tips, to candy, from spare change to…actual matches. There are many designs available and each have been taken from real matchboxes from around the world. Mom might think they’re cute, but Dad knows they’re cool. The matchboxes are made in Portland, Oregon, but you might have seen them at local farmers markets this year. Dimensions: 2”H x 3”W x 5”L. $54.
Cory Clark stumbled onto something pretty great when he decided to come up with his own brand of sodas. His goal was to create a “better tasting, environmentally friendly soda, made from the finest ingredients possible,” served in 100% compostable serving materials. Although everything his uses is natural, you won’t usually find these flavor combinations in nature. Flavors include Lavender Lemon, Strawberry Ginger, Cucumber Mint, Cocoa Cream, Cherry Vanilla Mint and others. Cory and his crew set up shop at many local farmers markets this time of year. Check his website to see where you can find him next.
Located in Seattle, Factory 43 hand-forges quality graphic t-shirts and other great finds using their own 1950's Heidelberg Windmill press. We really appreciate their sense of humor and snarky designs printed on t-shirts made from 50 percent polyester, 25 percent combed and ringspun cotton and 25 percent rayon blend and printed with water-based and discharge inks. $32.
Sure, vinyl has made a comeback, but look out because the cassette tape is right around the corner. Maybe. This old school shoebox cassette tape recorder looks just like the one Dad had when his was making sweet mix tapes for Mom, but now he can record from USB, line-in or built-in mic. Comes with carrying handle and headphone jack. $50.
Urban Outfitters
1507 5th Ave. Seattle Wa 98101 206-381-3777
3000 184 St. S.W. Alderwood Mall, #810 Lynnwood Wa 98037 425-774-3285
In honor of Mattel’s Hot Wheel’s 50th anniversary, the toy giant is releasing five of their original “Sweet 16” cars. Though these are replicas, they are made the same way they once were with a metal body and metal base. And what makes these super cool is that they come in the same packaging as they did 50 years ago and include the originally designed buttons. Psst...these won’t last in stores long as serious collectors will be scooping them up left and right. $6.
