Dear Dads, We Love You
It’s understood that while moms are pretty amazing, dads hold a special place in our hearts. Fathers are the ones whose patience and strength is our rock during the trying times of our lives (and every day, really).
Just like snowflakes no two dads are alike, they are all unique in their own special ways. From ugly Christmas sweaters to socks with sandals, dads are often as fantastically uncool as you can be, but we love them anyway.
We don’t always get a chance to tell dads how much they mean to us, and Father’s Day is the perfect time to share the love a little bit. This Father’s Day show dad how awesome he is with these fun and uber-local gift ideas from Ontario’s Highlands.
A Day on the Green
While dads like to hit the green alone or with friends, chances are good they’d love some company from their favourite person – you. If the “Highlands” in Ontario’s Highlands isn’t a clue, we have some fantastically challenging terrains for every style of golfer.
From Canada’s oldest golf course at the Perth Golf Course, to the stomping grounds of LPGA star, Brooke Henderson at the Smiths Falls Golf & Country Club, and epic views at Bancroft Ridge Golf Club or Renfrew Golf Club, you’ll have plenty of terrain and skill levels to choose from.
Moove on to Local Leather
Dads don’t tend to be big shoppers, but even they would appreciate a gift from these two small-scale and local leather companies in Ontario’s Highlands. At Enright Cattle Co., they raise the cows that make the leather in their fun product list. Their compact zip wallet is manly enough for even the most macho of men. If your father likes good story behind a product, get him a messenger or duffle bag made with repurposed vintage car interiors and aviation materials at Mariclaro Designs.
Join the Beer Club
Just like love and marriage, Dads and beer just seem to go together. Don’t fight it, give Dad a membership to Braumeister Brewing Co.’s beer club. Dad will get a bunch of swag, his name on the beer wall, first peek at seasonal releases and a free beer on his birthday! If you want some diversity, create your own brewstravaganza with a selection from any of the small craft breweries in Ontario’s Highlands to make sure he has plenty of brews on hand to keep him going on warm summer days.
Go Wild for Whisky
O’Kenny Craft Spirits in Pembroke offers a single malt whisky made from 100 per cent malted barley that’s been aged three years in charred oak barrels. In Perth, Top Shelf Distillers’ award-winning Perth Canadian Whisky will give dad the gift of history and whisky at the same time. Top Shelf is making whisky in the small town of Perth for the first time in over 100 years!
Load the Barbecue
No dad worth his salt doesn’t appreciate slapping some steak or burgers on the barbecue – maybe even while wearing socks with sandals, holding a beer and telling Dad jokes.
Make sure he has everything he needs for an awesome meal or two with house-made artisan cured local meats from Seed to Sausage in Sharbot Lake, or stuffed pork chops or juicy t-bone steak from Milligan Meats near Bon Echo Provincial Park. If dad has an adventurous side, try a water buffalo burger from the Ontario Water Buffalo Co. in Stirling. They sell buffalo burger, steaks, roasts, cheese, and even buffalo milk gelato! You don’t see that every day.
