Ah, Dads. Our favorite source of bad jokes and great burgers. Each one is special, but almost all of them have a reputation for being a little tough to shop for. This holiday, avoid the annual tie-of-the-month gift. (It was cool once but you can do better.) Why not be the holiday hero who gives a gift that helps your dad rule the backyard? We’re here to help you with the perfect holiday gift.
1. A BBQ Recipe Book
Recipe books have become a lot more rugged and outdoorsy. Find a book your dad will not only read, but use — and reap some tasty rewards. There are a ton of options out there, so browse online or head down to your local bookstore and see what’s available.
One of our personal favorites is the Operation BBQ Relief Cookbook. Operation BBQ Relief is a nonprofit that provides meals to displaced residents and emergency personnel during natural disasters. Their recipe book is filled with mouth-watering recipes from BBQ masters, and it has the added benefit of helping to fund a great cause.
2. A Food-Based Subscription Box
Help your dad avoid the dreaded grocery store. Deliver quality meats and vegetables right to his door. (You might benefit!) It seems like there’s a subscription box for pretty much everything these days — here are a couple of the best food options.
Butcher Box has a variety of choices that are perfect for backyard cooking. With grass-fed beef and heritage-breed pork, the gift is a step above what many dads buy for themselves, giving it a special touch. And if the man in your life is a vegetarian or vegan, check out Vegan Cuts Snack Box or see if you can get a local CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) box.
If you want to stretch your gift-giving budget, try Piquant Post for monthly shipping of small-batch spice blends, which come complete with recipes.
3. A Griddle Grill
Upgrade your dad’s grilling game with a cleaner, easier, and higher quality outdoor cooking option. Razor LP Gas Griddles make it easy to create restaurant-quality food for any size gathering. They’re more portable, more flexible, and easier to use than traditional grills — so dad gets the very best outdoor cooking experience. He’ll be able to cook everything from pancakes and bacon to steak and eggs to veggies and seafood with ease.
4. Outdoor Cooking Accessories
Dads love tools! Why limit that to the garage? Upgrade his grilling tools. Try a non-stick grilling skillet for grillers or marshmallow roasting sticks if they have a fire pit. Get creative! How about a grill light, apron, or heat-proof gloves? And if he is lucky enough to have (or receive!) a griddle (see idea #3), this is the perfect accessories set.
(Bonus idea: wrap items individually to give dad a few extra things to unwrap.)
5. A Labor of Love
Short on money? Try giving the gift of a little elbow grease and help spruce up the backyard — and give your Dad a kingdom worthy of his reign. Clean out the tool shed, weed the flower beds, paint the old swing, scrub the outdoor furniture, plant some herbs, or pressure-wash the patio. The only limit here is you creativity and your willingness to get your hands dirty.