10 traditional Father's Day gifts — with a twist

Tie

Sometimes, a tie just seems like the easiest gift to buy Dad — they're practical and he could always use another one. But instead of buying one with cheesy slogans or graphics, try investing in something he'll actually wear for years to come. This floral beauty, by Pomp & Ceremony, is made in Toronto from Liberty of London fabrics. $85, Drake General Store. 

Loafers

Take the quintessential "dad shoe" up a notch with these super stylish loafers. The catch? They're practical too! Made from rubber and lyrca, these loafers are water-resistant and machine washable. This super verstaile shoe will carry dad from a day at the beach to an evening on the town. $190, SWIMS. 

Mobile workstation

There are electronic gadgets, and then there are all-in-one gadgets for your gadgets. This is the LapPad — a handmade workstation made in Montreal from Canadian-manufactured poplar. It holds a laptop, phone, tablet and mouse all in one place so dad can work efficiently with all of his gadgets in easy reach. It also has ports for charging cables, a carry handle and ventilation to disperse heat. $119, Etsy.

Mustard

Want to get your dad something different than a bottle of alcohol this year? This mustard, made by Chef Rob Rossi, is your answer. It's made with Canadian brand J.P. Wiser's whiskey, perfect for summer barbeques. $16, Drake General Store.

Bow tie

This isn't your average bow tie (no, really). BÖ by MANSOURI handcrafts their ties in Canada from sustainable wood from wood-processing facilities across North America. The neck strap is made from leather and the pop of colour is artisanal paper twine from Austria. The tie is almost weightless, and comes in a variety of patterns and colours. $70, BÖ by MANSOURI.

Mason jar lid

Make Dad's collection of mason jars useful (plus, these are way more hip than getting him a mug) with this tap. The stainless steel pour spout fits regular-sized mason jars and is perfect for housing infused waters, vinegars, oils or spirits. $30, Labour of Love. 

Sock subscription

Dads have received socks as gifts since the beginning of time because let's face it — you can never go wrong with a pair. Keep the fancy-pants socks coming the whole year with the Sock Of The Month Club, a subscription that sends one pair of socks per month to your doorstep from brands like HS, Unsimply Stitched and Bugatchi. $12/per month, Socking Behaviour.

Item finder

Ever wished there was a "Find My iPhone" for keys? This nifty gadget will ensure Dad won't ever lose that great keychain you bought him last year ever again. These tiny tiles are a Bluetooth tracker linked to an easy-to-use app. Attach them to a keychain, bag or wallet. If lost, the item can be located by sound, on a map, or marked as "lost" which triggers an alert when the item has been found. $30/tag or $90/four tags, Amazon.ca.

Multi-purpose scarf

There's the predictable baseball cap, and then there's this all-in-one scarf for the outdoorsy dad. It can be worn as a beanie, a balaclava, a scarf — and so much more. It's made of wickable, breathable and lightweight material that's quick drying. It's perfect for high-endurance sports like mountain biking and running. Available in three additional colours. $18, MEC. 

Beer making kit

For the DIY-savvy Dad, this kit makes it easy to brew beer right in his own kitchen. It comes with detailed instructions and all the tools he'll need. Makes one gallon of beer. $60, Indigo.

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Mothers and daughters on pride, regret and the things they’ve never said