TOPS FOR POPS

DAD WILL BE GLAD HE DOESN’T HAVE TO ADD TO HIS UGLY-TIE COLLECTION WHEN YOU GET HIM ONE OF THESE FUN AND HANDY GIFTS INSTEAD

Microbrew Beer Bucket Gift Basket, GourmetGiftBaskets.com
Yeah, Dad loves a good card on Father’s Day, but you know what he really loves? Beer. He’s genetically wired to enjoy the stuff. This basket features six brews, including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Pete’s Wicked Strawberry Blonde and Harpoon Munich Dark, plus there are great snacks to complement the brewskis, like dry-aged beef jerky, mixed nuts and specialty pretzels. For a dad, that’s mmm-mmm good.
($69.99, www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com)

Dad Gear Diaper Vest, Belly Gifts
Some dads just don’t dig carrying a diaper bag—the same ones who haven’t embraced the man purse, or murse—and for them, there’s this oh-so-manly vest that does double-duty as, amazingly enough, a diaper bag. A pocket on the right side of the chest carries diaper wipes, while the left side can hold a cell phone or iPod (earphones fit through an opening in the logo). Pouches on either side hold bottles and pacifiers, and pockets in the front are good for diapers, snacks and whatever else he may need to carry. This vest even has a changing pad zipped into the back! With this many uses, he’ll continue to wear the vest even when the diaper days are done (although he’ll probably ditch the changing pad at that point). Save $5 off any purchase over $50 at Belly Gifts by using coupon code TFG5 at checkout.
($81.88, www.bellygifts.com)

Global Sun Oven, EartheasyShop
Ah, the thrill of grilling—nothing’s more dadly than preparing a meal outside. With this earth-friendly solar oven, you can bake, boil and steam without using any energy. This easy-to-use eco-cooker reaches temperatures of up to 400 degrees minus the fire hazard, has an estimated life span of 20-plus years and weighs in at just 21 pounds, making it as portable as it is potent. Dad will definitely be the star chef of the next block party.
($225, www.eartheasy.com)

Kid Comfort II Backpack, Tots On-the-Go
The outdoorsy dad will love a backpack from Deuter, a leader in the hiking backpack biz. With the Kid Comfort II, he can head off into the woods with Baby right by his side—or his back, as it were. It has a five-point safety harness system, plenty of pockets, a height-adjustable seat that can accommodate a child up to 48.5 pounds and an integrated hydration sleeve, among other cool features. The great outdoors will be even greater when he can share it with his little explorer.
($219, www.totsonthego.com)

Message Tee, Suburban Swag
Nothing makes dads’ big hearts swell with pride more than seeing their little ones grow up. Turn up the sentiment a notch and get a shirt for his kid that reads: “Someday I’ll Be As Cool As My Dad.” It’ll be a hit everywhere Baby goes, but never more so than when Dad’s around.
($18, www.suburbanswag.com)

Baby Safe Finishes, Earth Safe Finishes
One of a dad-to-be’s most important tasks is painting the nursery for his little bundle of joy on the way, so make sure he’s got the right stuff. With Baby Safe Finishes, parents don’t have to worry about toxins or VOCs entering the air the same way they would with traditional paint. In fact, it’s the safest, most environmentally friendly paint on the market today. Bonus: The premixed colors go on smoothly, so a soon-to-be dad can relax knowing there’s very little chance he can mess it up!
($17.99, quart; $39.99, gallon; www.earthsafefinishes.com)

Dad Power Tee, Sticks ‘n Stones
Give him something fun to wear with this shirt, which proudly tells the world how many kids he’s powered by (the power symbol is customizable to how many rug rats are running around). What’s especially cool is that the tee is compressed into the shape of a dumbbell. I once gave my dad a shirt that was compressed into a shape, and he loved just trying to figure out how it turned into a full-size shirt. Simple pleasures, you know.
($29.95, www.sticksnstones-store.com)

Baby Me Bouquet
Most dads probably don’t get a lot of bouquets at the office, but you can turn that all around by sending him a Baby Me Bouquet. No, there are no flowers, but there are plenty of snuggly socks, onesies and soft washcloths, all made to look like blossoms. It will definitely be a blooming—but useful!—surprise for the dad-to-be or father of an infant. 
($69.95, www.babymebouquet.com)