Image: Moodboard/Corbis
He’s that steady rock of support that you can always count on. So help put a grin on your old man’s face with these fab (and useful) gifts for Father’s Day 2014. From the sporty and the frequent traveller to the tech-obsessed, we have a gift for every Dad we know, plus cool ideas for every budget too!
From our favourite niche Brit fragrance house in town – a hat tip to Atkinsons for its recent Perfume Extraordinare win at this year’s Fragrance Foundation UK Fifi Awards, by the way – the new Lavender on the Rocks should please the posh Papa in your life.
A genteel interpretation of a gent’s grooming staple, Atkinsons’ take on lavender water reads like a lyrical ode to the great English countryside: Basil and geranium for subtle spicy heat, with a delectable heart of lush lavender interlaced with nutty notes of almond and fresh hay. Its lightness makes it a great choice for our tropical clime, and should do very nicely as a neat olfactory accompaniment to your father’s weekend sojourn at the stables.
Available exclusively at the Atkinsons counter at Robinsons Orchard.
This sophisticated spin on the traditional sporty scent should appeal to your Ferrari fanatic of a father. Taking notes from the supercar’s signature deep blue hue, the new Ferrari Cedar Essence’s engine of a flacon holds a fresh fuel with a heart composed of the eponymous wood, with summer-friendly notes of icy watermelon, prickly peppermint and precious patchouli thrown in for complexity and longer-lasting mileage, so to speak. Great for stashing in the driver’s compartment of your Dad’s own Prancing Horse should he need sprucing up before his big boardroom meeting.
Available at Robinsons Orchard, Takashimaya S.C. and the Ferrari boutique at Marina Bay Sands and Changi Airport Terminal 2.
Let Dad step out in comfort, while looking ever so smartly-dressed in his suit with this pair of oxford shoes from Ecco. The polished full-grain leather look is both flexible and durable, while its glued-in leather footbed makes sure that he’ll walk with ease every step that he takes.
Get it in Singapore at Ecco stores.
Plated in sleek rose gold, this Swiss-made timepiece matches a matte black dial with an elegant crocodile leather strap, plus the Armani eagle motif on its watch buckle; all the fine details that a luxe-loving Dad will appreciate.
Available in Singapore at the Emporio Armani Watches & Jewelry store, VivoCity, #01-01.
Let him take this 16-megapixel compact camera with him on his upcoming trips; this handy Nikon camera features a built-in GPS, electronic compass and can even measure atmospheric pressure too. Waterproof at up to 18m in depth, the sturdy Wi-Fi enabled camera will also withstand falls from up to 2m and will still function in subzero temperatures from 0 to -10 deg Celsius. Of course, the camo print makes this ever-so-covetable too.
Available in Singapore at all authorised Nikon retailers.
You know he’s a chili addict who is always looking out for that next spicy treat. So test his zest for spice with this homemade chili sauce, which is a super hot blend of onion, chili, salt and oil. And yes, it’s ‘final destination’ label is not to be taken lightly, as it’s the most fiery condiment from Singapore brand Mofo Chili. Just so that he knows, a milder option is also available for — shall we say — everyday consumption.
Get it online from Naiise.
Grab this for the Dad who needs that cup of morning java. With the help of those nifty coffee capsules, the new Nespresso Innisia coffee machine will churn out a cup of aromatic brew in less than 15 seconds flat, plus it’s compact and energy-saving to boot too. Another bonus: Purchase the machine together with 10 sleeves of Grands Crus coffee capsules and you’ll receive a free Aeroccino3 Milk Frother (worth $168) too.
Get the Nespresso Inissia coffee machine in Singapore from Nespresso boutiques at ION Orchard #01-14, Takashimaya D.S. B1, selected Nespresso Authorised Trade outlets or online at www.nespresso.com. For more information, call toll-free 800 852 3525.
Dad will get to snap fab close-ups, thanks to the large f2.0 aperture of this sleek 5.5-inch smartphone. It also features a 5 megapixel front-facing camera (good for family selfies!) and a sizeable 32GB worth of internal memory, all the better to store all these photos. Another camera trick: This phone can also combine the best of 10 consecutive shots, to create a 50 megapixel-worthy final image.
Available in Singapore at these following Oppo retailers.
Lined with herringbone jacquard, the interiors are as plush as its sleek snake-effect rubber case. The luggage is just as sturdy and lightweight too, thanks to its durable polycarbonate shell. Plus, this Samsonite suitcase comes with a luggage cover, a certified TSA security lock, as well as a shoe pouch, a suit hanger and an accessories bag — just about everything that he would need to travel in style for his business trips.
Get it in Singapore from Samsonite stores and all leading departmental stores.
The athletic Dad prizes practicality over all when it comes to timepieces, so get him this Tissot timepiece, which comes with a sporty rubber strap. Water-resistant up to 200m, this sleek watch also features a see-through case back that shows you the “guts” of the timepiece; those nifty little parts that make it tick.
Available in Singapore at Tissot boutiques in Marina Square Shopping Centre, #02-133, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #02-08B, Suntec City, #01-369 and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
When you know that plain ties are so not his style, then get a chic new designer tie for the Dad who is always sartorially spot-on. As your stylish dad would know, monochromatic doesn’t necessarily have to be boring, especially when paired with a snazzy print like these silky finds from Versace.
Available in Singapore at Versace stores in Paragon, #01-08/09 and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B1-09A/90B.
Save him the trouble of fussing with tangled wires and help Dad go wireless with this sleek Bluetooth headset from Platronics. It’s equipped with voice commands, audio alerts, noise cancellation and even an app to locate your headset, if need be. A portable charging case is also included, so that he’ll get to store it safely for business trips abroad.
Get it in Singapore from Apple stores and all leading electronics stores including Best Denki, Challenger, Courts and Gaincity. Go to www.plantronics.com/asia for more information.
You know that your dad loves his wines. But you on the other hand, may have no clue on where to start wine shopping. Let The French Cellar solve that shopping problem for you, via their wine subscription service. Purchase this for your daddy dearest, to have them deliver two recommended bottles of French wine every month, complete with a tasting guide on the origins, flavour profile of each bottle, as well as food pairing suggestions. He may just discover a favourite new tipple to love too.
Prices start from $99 for two bottles of wine per month; delivery is free. Go to www.thefrenchcellar.sg for more information.
This windbreaker is a multitasker, just like Dad. Besides keeping him dry and warm when there’s rain and wind, he can remove the sleeves for a cool short-sleeved look. Plus, if your father’s a fan of the Brazil football team, he will be proud to don the country’s national colours in an unique gradient.
Available at all Puma stores at #02-153/154 Marina Square, #B2-23 ION Orchard and #B2-15 Ngee Ann City, and Puma dealers.
Despite its sleek appearance, this Bering timepiece is one tough watch. The Sapphire crystal face and high tech ceramic is scratch-resistant, which means this is a watch that will withstand any knocks from Dad’s rough and tumble lifestyle.
Available at Bering locations
The kitchen is where your father spends most of the weekend, preparing one of his famous family feasts. While he’s happy to have Mum as his chef assistant, he does feel a tad silly whenever the food is served on your mother’s prized floral table ware. The minimalist design of Kikki.K’s white-and-gold homeware collection works for both pretty desserts and a huge hunk of steak and won’t hurt Dad’s masculinity a bit.
Available at #B2-53 Ion Orchard and www.kikki-k.com.
The man makes believe he’s a racer when in the driver’s seat, much to your mother’s chargin. While an actual race car may be out of question, sunnies from a dream team collaboration is a pretty good back up gift. Oakley and Ferrari have come together to design an eight-piece eyewear collection and the limited edition Carbon Blade is the star – carbon fibre layers have been moulded by cutting edge technology into a flexible frame structure. All Dad has to do is put these on when he races off into the sunset to feel like one of the team.
Available at Oakley authorised dealer stores.
Dad’s a huge football fan and the upcoming World Cup is all he can talk about. He will be able to support his favourite team even on casual Fridays at the office in this smart polo shirt – a stylishly discreet and work-appropriate way to sport the country’s team colours.
Available at Celio boutiques at #01-05 Bugis Plus, #B1-47 CityLink Mall, #02-10 Jem, #03-41 Plaza Singapura and #01-327 Suntec City.
You remember your father wearing the same glasses since you were a kid. Surprise Dad on June 12 with optical glasses from the Prada Linea Rossa Red Feather special collection. When I mean lightweight, I’m not joking. The nylon rectangular front and steel wire temples weight almost nothing – Dad will forget he has them on.
Available at authorised optical retailers.
This isn’t your ordinary backpack. With rugged leather, colour block details, handy pockets and snap buckles, the Thompson backpack covers both form and function. The commuting Dad can keep all his essentials in the stylish backpack that won’t look out of place when he’s wearing his smart suit.
Available at all Coach stores.
Who says diamonds are only a girl’s best friend? Your father who has a no-so-secret love for blin will certainly appreciate this sleek bangle from Goldheart Jewelry. The buckle motif is inspired by that of jockey boots, except it’s tastefully encrusted with Celestial diamonds. This subtle statement piece is the only accessory he needs to make an impact.
Available at Goldheart Jewelry boutiques.
Is your dad always on the go? Get him a tumbler that will keep his cool drinks cool and hot drinks hot! The Thermos JNO tumblers from Japan claim to be the lightest on the market. Using the latest vacuum technology, the tumbler ensures that drinks stay the temperature that its supposed to be in. According to the brand, the lightweight bottle also features a leakproof cap, making it very handy for sports.
Available at major departmental stores.
The biggest soccer season is coming (in case you’ve been hiding under a rock, that’s the World Cup) and there is no television that is big enough for a great father. So why not get him a projector instead? The Epson EH-TW5200 projector is a neat gadget that is easy to setup and offers 3D and HD viewing. The projector also comes with nifty add-on’s such as wifi capabilities, and phone connectivity. So if you have a geeky dad, this will make one very cool gift!
Available at all Epson authorised resellers and retailers.
Every guy is still a boy at heart, so for the superhero dads this will make the perfect gift. Singpost has released a DC Justice League & Batman 75th Anniversary MyStamp Collection filled with superheroes fit for a super dad! The collection showcases DC Comic heroes at their best, with stamps and covers chronicling each superheroes’ significant milestones. If your father is just a fan of Batman, you can opt for the Batman collection instead. The series follows the famous Dark Knight on his comic adventures, and we’re sure your father will be nostalgic reliving his Gotham-worthy days.
Available at all SingPost outlets or at www.stampdelight.com