Father's Day Gifts Dad Actually Wants

Way better than another boring old tie, these gifts are as fun to make as they are to receive.

By: Seton Rossini

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Photo By: SETON ROSSINI

Bourbon Cherries

Impress Dad with a boozy-sweet garnish for his Manhattan or old fashioned. With just three ingredients, these bourbon-soaked cherries make the perfect addition to any home bar. Simply combine 1 cup bourbon with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar is dissolved completely. Fill a Mason jar with fresh pitted cherries and pour the simple syrup on top until all the cherries are submerged. Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to a year. (Although we doubt they’ll last that long!)

Buy Mason Jars with Silver Lids

Flavored Salts

These homemade flavored salts are the perfect gift for the dad who likes to cook. They're easy to make and customizable for your dad's favorite tastes. Use them to top popcorn, french fries, or season a chicken or fish dinner. Try ginger, lime zest and fine sea salt, or dried porcini mushrooms and fine sea salt. If your dad loves a little heat, try sriracha sauce and fine sea salt. The possibilities are endless. All the salts will need to dry out in the oven to eliminate any moisture. Simply spread out on a baking sheet and bake in a 200-degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to small flip-top jars and label for gifting.

Buy Glass Jars with Clamp Lids

Chocolate Salami

This sweet and crunchy treat is a fun alternative to the traditional salami dads love. It's a perfect no-bake, homemade dessert that is sure to bring a smile to your dad's face. Melt a stick of butter and a 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips together in a saucepan on low heat until smooth, then add 1/4 cup brewed coffee. Stir in 2 cups chopped biscotti cookies, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for an hour. Divide the mixture in half, turn out onto 2 large pieces of plastic wrap and form into 7-inch-long logs. Roll up the logs in the plastic wrap, twisting the ends to seal, then refrigerate until firm (about an hour). Unwrap and roll in confectioners' sugar, then wrap with parchment and cheesecloth or linen. Wrap with baker's twine for an authentic salami look. The salami can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before slicing and serving.

Buy Cotton Napkins for Wrapping Salami

Putting Green Cupcakes

For the dad who loves to golf (and has a sweet tooth!), make these adorable putting green cupcakes. Simply top your favorite baked cupcakes with frosting, then tint shredded coconut with green food coloring and sprinkle on top. A mini pretzel stick and fruit leather become the golf pin and flag, and a mini marshmallow serves as a golf ball. Even the dads who don't play around every weekend will love these cupcakes.

Buy a Stoneware Cake Stand

Homemade Shaving Cream

This all-natural shaving cream is the perfect gift that Dad will actually use! He'll never go back to the store-bought can once he uses this lux homemade alternative. Combine 1/2 cup coconut oil (in solid form) and 1/2 cup shea butter in a bowl and whip with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes, or until it is creamy and more than doubled in size. Add 1 tablespoon Castile soap and whip again for 1 to 2 minutes. Add several drops of essential oil if you prefer a scented shaving cream.

Buy Mason Jars for Shaving Cream

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