Ditch the Gift Card: 11 Creative Ways to Celebrate Father's Day

Father’s Day is June 19 and is fast approaching. If you’re like me and struggle with creative Father’s Day gift ideas, this blog post is for you!

This year I asked you for ideas (on Instagram) and compiled your creative ideas below. The best type of gift is one from the heart. That said, ditch gift card, and consider a more personalized or out-of-the-box gift for Dad this Father's Day.

1) Magic Show in Claremont

Surprise Dad with tickets to Claremont's local magic show called Handcrafted Mysteries. Greg Van Hornbeck is the talented magician behind the Handcrafted Mysteries magic show and has been voted best local illusionist by Inland Empire Magazine.

You can catch his shows every Thursday at 8 pm beginning June 16 at the Claremont Forum Bookshop.

Enter promo code ‘missclaremont’ for 30% off your ticket purchase.

2) Dad Mugs by Artful Succulents

This Father’s Day, Artful Succulents is offering fun, "Dad" mugs in various styles containing succulents or cacti for $20 each.

Diane Barnes is the owner of Artful Succulents, based in Claremont, and she is so incredibly talented at putting together very beautiful and whimsical looking succulent arrangements.

Place your orders at least 24 hours in advance by phone call/text (951) 505-5112 or email diane@artfulsucculents.com

Photos taken and provided by Diane Barnes, owner of Artful Succulents @artfulsucculentsllc

3) Personalized Father’s Day Book

This was my favorite suggestion! There are companies like Hooray Heroes that offer personalized books starring Dad and kids. Starting at $43, this personalized book would be the perfect way to tell Dad how much you cherish him.

4) Musical Show at Ophelia’s Jump

How about a night of singing, music, acting, and entertainment? Gift Dad with tickets to an upcoming theater show/musical at Ophelia’s Jump Studio located at 2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H, Upland.

Ophelia’s Jump is a non profit theater company with performances that aim to “create unending conversations, spark imagination, incite conscience, and elicit a visceral response.”

I had the pleasure of attending Sondheim on Sondheim for opening day and had a memorable experience. Since the theater seats about 49 people, any seat in the house is like being in the front row.

The staff greeted me as soon as I entered and were very professional and accommodating. The performers were Broadway caliber and incredibly friendly before/after the show. I especially liked that they had a full bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

Grab some tickets for Dad for any of these upcoming shows.

• Sondheim on Sondheim May 20⎯June 5

• Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare July 14⎯Jul 24

• Black Super Hero Magic Mama by Inda Craig-Galvan September 8⎯October 16

Photos from the musical Sondheim on Sondheim, May 2022.

5) Mmmm BBQ

Treat Dad with a yummy/hearty BBQ dinner whether that’s at a restaurant or at home. If you don’t feel like cooking, head over to Gus’s BBQ in the Claremont Packing House (be sure to make reservations ahead of time if you can).

If you want to BBQ at home, no problem! Graze and Gather, located at 214 W. Foothill Blvd in Claremont, offers various cuts of meat and sides. They’re a butcher shop “with a commitment to pasture-raised flavor, healthier animals, happier farmers, and regenerative soil.” What’s even better is they only work with small, family-owned California farms and ranches.

6) Gifts from the Outdoor Store in Claremont

If you want to get a cool gift, The Outdoor Store in Claremont has got you covered.

Located at 101 N. Indian Hill Blvd, this store is jam packed with fun, outdoor themed items like Pendleton blankets, books on camping, hiking themed shirts, socks, mugs, tumblers, funny koozies, backpacks, hats, candles, pillows, books and so much more!

I personally have purchased gifts here like golf socks, fishing vest koozie, and beanies that were much appreciated.

7) Whiskies of the World Tasting Event

If Dad is a whiskey enthusiast, purchase a ticket to the Whiskies of the World tasting event hosted by VomFass in Claremont on June 24 from 7-9 pm. Tickets are $45 and spots are limited and includes:

• 5 whiskey tastings

• Educational instruction

• Light snacks

• Tons of fun!

8) Gift Baskets by VomFass

Located at 101 N. Indian Hill, VomFass is a European market and tasting room with a variety of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, spices, craft spirits, wine, and more. They also have the friendliest staff in town who are very knowledgeable about their products.

This Father’s Day, consider these specially curated gift sets available at VomFass:

• BBQ Gift Basket

• Bourbon Sampler Set

• Irish Coffee Gift Basket

• Bourbon Old Fashioned Boozy Box

9) Spend Quality Time Together

Quality time, in many instances, can be something that is hard to come by considering our busy lives. However, it's one of the most fulfilling and rewarding gifts as quality helps to build and nurture relationships. After all, it is a love language!

Show Dad how much you care by spending quality time at these places in Claremont.

• Take a relaxing, slow pace stroll through the California Botanic Garden in Claremont

• Visit the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art or Benton Museum at Pomona College

• Catch a movie at the Laemmle Claremont 5 Theater

• Take a scenic hike at these trails in Claremont

• Grab a cup of coffee at any of these coffee shops in Claremont

• Catch up while enjoying brunch in Claremont

• Share a meal and good conversation at these dinner restaurants in Claremont

10) Nice haircut, Dad.

A slightly out of the box idea is surprising Dad with a gift certificate to a specialty men’s barber shop and Claremont is bursting with them!

Check out Stay Gold (Harvard Ave.), Wolf & Rye (2nd St.), or the new Clips on 66 (Indian Hill Blvd).

11) Facial & Massage

Who doesn’t want glowing skin? Personally, I have given my Dad gift certificates to facials in the past and it was always a home run.

This year treat Dad with a relaxing and rejuvenating facial at any of these skin care services in Claremont:

• Harvard Garden Day Spa

• CG Skin Care at Escape Salon

• Skin Control

• The Treatment Facial Bar

If massages are more of Dad’s speed, visit Mint Leaf located on First Street in Claremont and pick up a gift certificate for an unforgettable Thai Massage.

I sincerely hope these suggestions help.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to these wonderful ideas!

I hope you all have a memorable and delightful Father's Day this year.