Father’s Day approacheth, and I haven’t settled on a gift yet. As one might expect of a WanderChic progenitor, my dad is a stylish guy (that’s him, above, in West Virginia, decked out out in a spiffy suit with his beloved Elsie the cow). I began exploring my mom’s sense of style last year, so it’s only fair that I consider paternal influences, too.
And here we are circa late 1980s. This was in my Wacky Diagonal French Braid Period, though in this photo it looks like I trusted a barrette to tame my permed locks. My dad’s hair looks unusually tall here, too (maybe it’s a trick of the light) but his sartorial preferences have evolved with the times. (Is this photo a candidate for Awkward Family Photos? Our pose is oddly prom-like. And he’s gripping my elbow as though I’m about to fall. Feel free to address this in the comments section.)
One stylish Father’s Day gift would be this ipad holder from Covercraft, an etsy seller (photo is theirs). They also make Kindle covers, and Dad is a Kindle man. The houndstooth fabric clearly states Gift For Man. If Sherlock Holmes bought an iPad cover, he’d choose this one.
I’m also intrigued by the hipster update of the #1 Dad mug, such as this one from WaterfallDesigns, Sheena Christ’s etsy store (photo is hers).
And there’s always the option to make a donation in honor of Dad. My brother and I bought some ducks from World Vision for a family in need last Mother’s Day. There’s no shortage of nonprofit groups who could use that tie or Kindle cover money.
That I live across the country from my folks gives me yet another reason to prefer donations. Otherwise I have to pay for shipping, mail the gift myself, or jam it into my carryon.
A few months ago, I watched the documentary What Would Jesus Buy? about Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping. I highly recommend the film (produced by West Virginia homeboy and SuperSize Me star Morgan Spurlock! Yeah!). Have I stopped shopping? No. Did I get rid of my Banana Republic credit card? No. But I’m moved by Rev. Billy’s plea for us to spend half as much and give twice as much. Father’s Day reminds me that I’ve been given so much.