Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
It’s that time of the year again…I love my dad, but he is a difficult person for whom to shop. He loves the things that are familiar to him and isn’t someone who likes to step outside his comfort zone, so time and again I have gotten him something that ultimately sits on the shelf unused. Not only is this a waste of money, but also of physical and energy resources, making bad gift giving an environmental issue. This year, I have compiled a list of gift ideas for my dad, so if you are looking for an eco-friendly gift for your dad, grandpa, uncle, father figure, partner, baby daddy, etc, check it out!
Experiences: Tickets or a Meal
Stuff is not always useful and can be a hit or miss situation that creates unnecessary waste, but an experience is always exciting. Bonus points if you join your dad for the experience (yay quality time!). My dad is a huge sports fan, so tickets to a game always goes over well with him! I have found that baseball tickets in my city seem to be the most affordable of all the professional sports teams. If your dad isn’t a sports guy, why not try the local theatre or an art gallery, or tickets to see his favorite band. A more affordable option may be tickets to see a less known band, but who knows - they may turn out to be his new favorite!
If going to games/concerts/etc. isn’t your dad’s (or your) thing, why not a meal at a restaurant. The restaurant doesn’t have to be fancy; I bet your dad would rather share a meal with you at the local cafe or fast casual place than go to the new hot restaurant! If eating out doesn’t sound appeal, why not cook your dad his favorite dish!
2. A Solid Staple Item of Clothing or Shoes from a Sustainable Brand
My dad never buys clothes for himself…which results in him wearing the same things for years and years until they fall apart. So for someone like him, a solid, durable, long-lasting staple piece of clothing is a great gift! Especially given the huge environmental burden of fast fashion, quality over quantity is the way to go with clothes! I suggest finding a sustainable brand whose vibe you like and finding a nice item that your dad will wear for a long time to come. Last year, my siblings and I gave my dad Allbirds sneakers for Father’s Day and he loved them…like he ‘wears them all the time’ loves them! I like Coalatree for the more active, outdoorsy dad (what says “Happy Father’s Day” like a new windbreaker!) For the dad who might like to spend some cozy time on the couch watching TV, how about a new pair of super soft joggers? A more budget-friendly option: socks!
3. A vertical garden!
I have personally gotten really into gardening in the last few years, and my dad has gotten into it with me. Gardening is such a great activity for everyone, including dads! It gets you outside, more in tune with the seasons and weather, and a better understanding of what foods are in season when. The best part is that you can grow some of your own food in a climate-friendly way. For the garden beginners and for people who do not have access to a lot of outdoor space, I recommend the vertical garden from the Garden Tower Project. My favorite part of this garden tower is that it is a garden and composter in one! So you not only can your dad grow some food, but also keep his food scraps out of landfill! The vertical garden in definitely an investment, so this is a good gift to split among a sibling group or another group.
I suggest you throw in some seeds for your dad’s favorite vegetable or flower with the vertical garden! My favorite seed stores are FerryMorse and Seedsnow.
4. A Fruit Tree
It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Hear me out…I know that it’s a bit outside the box, but I think that’s why this is such a great gift. Who doesn’t love a patio or houseplant? Especially one that gives you free fruit? I think no one is expecting a tree as a gift, making it unforgettable! Every time your dad goes to water the tree, or eats an apple, orange, lemon, etc. from the tree, he will think of you! If your dad lives in an apartment or is otherwise short on outdoor space, I recommend a dwarf fruit tree, like this lemon tree. Or if you want to go for a slightly bigger option for a patio or yard, I would go for this plum tree. Check out more options at Yarden.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission for purchases made.
