Are gifts for guys hard to find?
We give you 14 reasons why the opposite is true, in time for Father’s Day. There’s no excuse for giving him a new drill this year! If he wears a tie less than once a year, well… maybe that’s not the best gift idea for him anyway. He may tell you he doesn’t want more stuff, that the craft you made him in Grade 2 (still sitting on top of his dresser) is the only thing he wants from you, but we’re betting he works hard for the whole family and rarely takes time for himself, for fun. This Father’s Day, show Dad you love him by telling him that, just this once, he should let himself be spoiled, let himself be surprised. Surprised by ideas that are tailor-made, just for him! …And surprised by kind words for this man, our protector in childhood, the steadfast, soft-hearted pillar of the family!
1.
Fish stories
Besides the craft project noted above, there’s another cherished memory, set in a small picture frame: the proof captured on film, once upon a time in 1900-I-don’t-know-when: that time he caught one “thiiiiiiis big!” Those fish stories, eh? They’re as much a memory of family vacations, as they are stories the guys tell amongst each other. Bring back those memories and enjoy some quality time with your dad by taking a longer break, or even one day, at a lodge with him. Tickle the trout found in Charlevoix’s lakes as you take time to speak from the heart, or laugh heartily together, while sharing a beer on the water. The Charlevoix region has more than a few choice locations for sport-fishing. We suggest Pourvoirie Baie-Sainte-Catherine outfitters, because it’s a family friendly vacation spot, for its abundant catches of big Moulac trout, and its charming cabins.
2.
Boreal spirits
Is your dad is among those who appreciate warming things up with a little swig of something that puts some colour into the cheeks and sets the eyes twinkling; just the thing to get him to laugh a little harder, tell tall tales that are just a little funnier, and open up his heart just a bit more? He’ll get along well with the gang at the Menaud brewery and distillery! Give him a local product flavoured with boreal accents, made with Charlevoix grain and distilled with devotion, in Clermont. True, there’s always the famous Menaud gin, but there’s also something new to try, inspired by the Alps: Génépi! Perfect in a flask, whether around the campfire in summer, or on the ski slopes in winter!
3.
BBQ for well-informed carnivores
Are you directly descended from the Master Griller? Does the blood of a pit master run in your veins? Does your father break out a big smile, and a spatula, when it comes to barbequing? Whether he’s the propane type, or prefers charcoal, feed his love of fire by throwing him a proper barbeque worthy of that word: gather ‘round a table full of carnivorous delights on a beautiful summer evening! How do you do it? By ordering a tray full of marinaded meat from La Boucherie Chez Joe. All you’ll have left to do is make a pile of macaroni salad, wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil, and make sure your propane tank is full!
4.
Bois brut
A good do-it-yourselfer can appreciate fine wood varieties, the grain perfectly sanded, meticulously cut and joined. If he’s the type who would like to see cabinet-making revered at the Louvre, if he marvels at a beautiful maple plank instead of a Van Gogh, give him the ultimate in wooden wall or sculptural art: a myco-engraving by Jean-François Lettre, cabinet-maker and artist. Myco-what? Myco, meaning from the mushroom family; in short, wood naturally altered and transformed by the mushrooms that grow into it. Carefully assembled by Jean-François, these patterns come to life and will appeal to the man of the house!
5.
« Birdie! »
Over the years, clothing styles have evolved: high socks, too-long and too-wide Bermuda shorts and visor caps have given way to colourful technical polos and ballcaps, thank you very much. Just as well, given that Dad’s bald spot has also evolved in recent years! But besides the equipment, what remains the same is the passion your dad has for this summer sport! He spends the better part of his days on the green, choosing the right club, amid the quiet hum of the golf carts. If your dad’s a golfer, give him a day of golf on the historic and spectacular Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu’s golf course; aside from the view, playing this course is an indisputable joy, and its clubhouse serves up gourmet offerings and comfort second to none!
6.
Rockin’ guitar
Did your dad noodle around on the guitar when he was young? Does he still listen to the music he liked as a teenager? When you were young, did he introduce you to the rock classics playing on his turntable, and his collection of LPs? Without question, your dad’s a rocker at heart! Surprise him with a pair of tickets to go see one of Quebec’s own guitar virtuosos: Steeve Hill will take to the new stage at Auberge La Fascine’s show space on August 20! Put a detour to Isle-aux-Coudres for a good meal at Geneviève Jodoin and Frédérick Boudreault’s restaurant on your schedule, and stay for a few good guitar solos!
7.
Into the woods
How great it is to be in the woods! Is your dad one of those who recharges his batteries surrounded by trees, rather than USB cables? Give him the great outdoors, give him the gift of silence and stars, of peace and quiet in the forest! And not just any forest, but nature’s own best of the best: one of our national parks. SÉPAQ offers ready-to-camp spots for rent, sort of “half-tent/half-cabin” spots in the middle of the breath-taking natural landscapes of the Hautes-Gorges de la Rivière Malbaie. This’ll make a man of the woods happy!
8.
1,000 metres above the ground
Flying the sky in a gleaming, high-powered machine is the dream of many young boys! The kind of dream not really indulged by a cheap flight to Cuba… because we crave adrenaline, excitement, the roar of engines, and dizzying heights! There comes a time in a man’s life when he realizes that time marches on: he’s become a father, the hair’s going gray, and he hasn’t yet realized those childhood dreams. Come on, Dad - this year we’ll help you cross a helicopter tour off your wishlist! Having the landscapes of Charlevoix as your view is even better. And, accompanied by the friendly and experienced pilots of Heli-Charlevoix, your dad will feel like he’s in good hands. Check out the many flight packages available for a gift that will blow him away!
9.
Go against the flow
He’s an outdoorsy, action-oriented guy… Hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing: bring on the outdoor sports! But has he ever seen the Charlevoix coast from the waters of the St. Lawrence River? Has he ever dipped a paddle in the water? Introduce your dad to another aspect of outdoor sports, by way of a new adventure company: Bosco, in Saint-Siméon. Roxane and Antoine are qualified to train you in the use of an ocean kayak, and will be your guides. They provide the equipment and a selection of excursion routes, including a short getaway from the wharf at Port-au-Persil. Careful! This gift might just cost you some new kayak equipment, the next time you’re looking for a gift for Dad!
10.
Get tattooed like a sailor
Tattoos are not as on-the-fringe as they once were: no longer are they exclusive to bikers, or the pirates of long ago! Nice guys (even dads) are getting tattoos! If your “Spoiled Dad” is one of those who proudly wear their life experience inked on their skin, here’s a great idea: give him a new tattoo! Of course, he gets to pick the design; all you have to do is pay for it! You could even “go under the needle” together in a lovely father-son or father-daughter moment! In Charlevoix, we place our trust in Isabelle’s experienced and naturally talented hands, as we sit in the chair at her Izatattoo parlour.
11.
Put some cheese on it
Sitting around the table for a good meal is an unbeatable way to start festivities of any kind, and Father’s Day is no exception. Everyone who’s got a foodie father, raise your hands! When it comes time to spoil your dad, the richer and more decadent the food, the better. Give him all that and originality to boot, with fondue en cavale [fondue-on-the-go] from Ah la Vache! The Baie-Saint-Paul company gives you the best in Swiss fondues, to take home!
12.
« Chop-Chop »
Man walked on two legs, mastered fire, then sharpened a flint-stone…. Many things have changed since prehistoric times, it’s true. But there’s something eternal about the love story between a man and his knives. That said, it’s all well and good to love playing with knives in the kitchen, but there’s one essential tool you’ll need to play well: a cutting board! Does that poor plastic board look like it’s been through a war? Give dad a cutting board worth cutting on: a proper wooden board! Boards from BFCO Inc., a company that provides adapted jobs for people with disabilities and other special needs, are sold under the Planches Charlevoix name, at very reasonable prices, at Jardins du Centre aux Éboulements and online, at charlevoixenligne.com.
13.
A real shaving brush
Is your dad’s daily shaving ritual one of your first memories of him? That shaving cream beard giving your father’s face a Father Christmas look! That magic moment when his scratchy bedtime-kiss cheek is made soft again… If your dad loves shaving the “old-school” way, give him an accessory as classic and timeless as his lack of facial hair: a badger! No, not the animal… We're talking about the short-bristled brush used to apply shaving cream from a little pottery pot handmade by Stephane Bouchard: a potter who has a very good idea of the kind of thing Dad might want!
14.
The Dad Look
We make lots of jokes about dad’s clothes, but we must say, “Dad shoes” are really hot right now. And, occasionally, we like to steal a vintage shirt from him. What dad doesn’t like good, durable, high-performance clothing? Focus on those qualities, maybe try to find him something a little more updated in terms of the cut of the clothing, when you give him a hoodie, polo shirt or something else brand-new and clean! For combining sports performance and style, trust the selection at Boutique Origène, in Baie-Saint-Paul. Say goodbye to the “It may be full of holes but it’s still good” shirt he got for free when he bought a chainsaw 30 years ago!
Happy Father's Day!
