As we enter into the second week of June, the pressure is on for finding that perfect Father’s Day gift.Father’s Day is celebrated from Murphy to Manteo with cookouts and hugs, but gifts are usually on the table so the shopping struggle is real and has been for generations. In 1909, Washington state made an official recognition of Father’s Day on June 19, 1910, after lobbying work from the YMCA and local churches. Slowly the holiday spread across the country but was not a national holiday until President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. During the Great Depression retailers advertised it as a “second Christmas” for dads, advertising tobacco and neckties. Today, it is still a welcome summer boost for retailers.From statewide retailers like Charlotte-based Belk and Mooresville-based Lowe’s Home Improvement to locally-owned shops, Father’s Day stands alone as a retail holiday between Mother’s Day and back to school. Hardware stores are popular destinations for dad’s singular day in the gift spotlight. “In 2015, Seaboard Ace Hardware had a spike of 4.2 percent in sales on Father’s Day as compared to the other three Saturdays in June,” said Bob King, owner of that Ace Hardware. “In 2016 that spike was 8.7 percent.”Americans are expected to spend more than ever on gifts for Father’s Day this year with the biggest share going to special outings like ballgames, concerts and meals, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. Total spending is expected to reach $15.5 billion the highest in the survey’s 15-year history, topping last year’s previous record of $14.3 billion.Most dads give little if any direction to help with gift ideas so North State Journal is stepping in to give you a hand. Every dad is unique but here are a few gifts that will make your dad smile. Whether it’s a new grill, a round of golf, or something more spiritous, this guide will help ease the stress of Father’s Day shopping and get your dad’s summer off on the right foot.Big Green EggThe ever-popular Big Green Egg promises to be a conversation
piece both before you cook and after your favorite protein hits the plate. The cooker,
which is based on an ancient clay cooking device known as a kamado, comes in
seven sizes. The manufacturer bills the Egg as a grill, oven, and smoker.
Whether dad is a die-hard charcoal steak chef or a hand-tossed pizza master,
the Big Green Egg is a tried-and-true cooking tool. Available at ACE
Hardware and biggreenegg.comStihl MS 180 C-BEWhile dad might not strive to be the next Paul Bunyan, he is
likely the person tasked with overall yard responsibilities. A lightweight,
easy to start, reliable chainsaw should be at the core of dad’s yard working
technology. The Stihl MS 180 C-BE is where handy meets high tech. This
lightweight, easy-to-maneuver chainsaw’s first order of business is fast, easy
starting with the STIHL Easy2Start system. Just a light pull on the cord does
it. The quick chain adjuster makes it possible to adjust the saw chain without
tools. Available at ACE
Hardware and stihl.comYETI Tundra 35The YETI Tundra 35 is portable enough for one person to haul
while still having an impressive carrying capacity. According to the
manufacturer, the Tundra 35 fits nicely in an inner tube, making it a great
option for floating down the Dan River. Wherever
you decide to take it, this portable cooler’s sturdy construction will stand up
to the rigors of the journey. Available at ACE
Hardware and yeti.comGolf OutingDad may have a home course or a series of favorite tracks.
But, allowing dad to explore the golf heritage of North Carolina is always a
great gift. Pinehurst Resort in the
sandhills is home to North Carolina’s most famous course Pinehurst No.
2. Why not book dad a round to see if
can best the PGA players who compete here in the U.S. Open? If the mountains are more your speed,
Linville Golf Club in Linville, N.C. is home to the top western public course
according to the N.C. Golf Panel. If
your dad supports the Wolfpack, Blue Devils, or Tar Heels, let him play a round
at his alma mater, NC State’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Duke University Golf
Club, and UNC’s Finley Golf Course are all N.C. Golf Panel Top 100
courses. North Carolina BourbonIf you are searching for a low-key gift for your dad,
replenishing his bourbon stock may be the way to go. Seventeen Twelve Bourbon
is distilled in Conover, N.C. and is made with corn, rye, and malted barley
from Catawba County and Buncombe County farmers. Seventeen Twelve is the first Bourbon
grown, distilled, and aged in North Carolina since prohibition.Available at N.C. ABC
stores and more information at seventeentwelvespirits.comBowties and necktiesNeckties might be a cliched Father’s Day gift, but Southern
haberdashery High Cotton offers neckties, bowties, and cummerbunds that are
perfect for a North Carolina dad. From
the yachting stripe bow tie to the Kelly Maybank stripe necktie, High Cotton’s
summer offerings will add some color to your father’s closet. Available at retailers
from Asheville to Duck and at highcottonties.comReplace his old
blazerThe Peter Millar Travel Blazer is perfect for the business
executive dad who needs to get from point A to point B without a wrinkle. Maybe
your dad just needs a new blazer after years of wear and tear from dance
recitals, Sunday School, and award ceremonies. Millar’s blazer is made from
soft wool that resists creases and the hostile environments of overhead
compartments. It is partially lined for the humidity and heat of the Carolina
summer. It’s a classic two-button style that eschews the more traditional gold
buttons in favor of lighter, more casual style.Available at fine
men’s clothiers and at petermillar.com
