Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday June 19th, and, according to the National Retail Federation, spending is expected to reach $12.7 billion. We want to make sure Michigan gets as big a piece of that money pie as possible. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing, and help you keep your Dad’s Day contribution close to home.
Deck him out in some local pride. How about a new T-shirt, hat, or hoodie that shows off the city or state that he loves? Excellent selections can be found through Coastal Sands, Detroit Street Apparel, Detroit Shirt Company, Livnfresh, Michigan Awesome, and Tee See Tee, just to name a few.
Two things many dads have in common are a love of grilling and the great outdoors. You can satisfy both with an Original Yooper Campfire Grill. These lightweight, portable grills are fully adjustable for height. He can simply pound the stake in the ground with a log and center it through the hole. The grill sets in place to be maneuvered easily. It’s made of stainless steel with a Michigan Cherry hardwood handle.
Fishing lures make another great gift for the outdoorsman on your list. Whether he likes casting from a pier, dropping a line off a boat, or drilling his way through ice, there are Michigan-made lures to get the job done. Check out the broad selections from Eppinger or Bay de Noc Lure Company.
Maybe dad’s a big Michigan football fan. He’ll love Wolverine: A Photographic History of UM Football. With a forward by Denard Robinson, this book celebrates the might and majesty of the Michigan gridiron captured in over 1,000 rare and unpublished photographs.
If he prefers words to pictures, then Richard L. Baldwin’s Made a Killing in Copper, or J. Ryan Fenzel’s Allied in Irons may be just the ticket. Both are compelling reads with local references.
How about a refreshment to pair with a good book? Michigan’s impressive spirit industry makes lots of excellent choices, especially in the vodka, gin, and whiskey realms. You’ll find options readily available in Michigan stores from Two James, Valentine, and Grand Traverse Distillery.
Luckily for the oenophile father, there are bottles of Michigan wine available everywhere. Pick one up or take him to a tasting. You can road trip for a weekend excursion or find a tasting room in a town near you. Lots of wineries are along these routes: Pioneer Wine Trail, Lake Michigan Shore Trail, Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula.
If your dad is more of a beer fan, then you can hardly do better than the Great Beer State. It’s easy to find a 6-pack from Founders, Bell’s, Short’s, or Atwater all over the state. Some even serve up variety 12-packs so he can taste a selection. If he’s a true aficionado, then perhaps he’s a candidate to become a Michigan Brewers Guild “Enthusiast” member. Membership includes: a t-shirt promoting Michigan beer; VIP status, including early admission for all four Michigan Brewers Guild festivals (with the purchase of an admission ticket); and VIP tours and tastings at participating member breweries.
Perhaps dad’s truck is his pride and joy. Give him a great accessory to help him enjoy it even more. The StepDaddy Ladder, made in Yale, is said to be the safest tailgate ladder on the market. It reaches the ground and has a handle for easy and safe access into the bed of a truck.
If all else fails, there’s always food! Remind him of a favorite taste from his youth. If he grew up in the U.P. Trenary Toast or Pasties can bring back warm memories. Those from the L.P. may want turtles from Kilwins or hot fudge from Sanders. You can even ship the makings of a Reuben sandwich from Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor.
He doesn’t need a sentimental attachment to just enjoy a good snack. Scrumptious sweet or salty treats can be found from Better Made, Cherry Republic, Detroit Popcorn Company, Germack, Koeze, and Will Cole.
However you choose to celebrate the special dads in your life, we hope you keep your dollars close to home.
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