Patch Picks: The Perfect Father’s Day Gift for Every Type of Dad

Dads come in all sizes and shapes and with varied ideas of what is fun. Analyze your dad and see if one of these gift suggestions fits him to a tee. If you have some interesting ideas of your own, we would like to read about them in our Comments section. Tell us about your dad and what you think is the perfect gift for him on Father’s Day.

The Outdoor Cook: The folks at Arnold Stove & Fireplace Center suggest an American made, kamado-style cooker, the Big Green Egg, as the perfect gift for the family grill master. There are several sizes available and plenty of accessories for dad to try.

The Intellectual: If your dad loves to read, but does not own a Kindle, now is a great time to buy one for him. Check the price at a few stores to make sure that you have found the best price. Thousands of titles will be at his fingertips, many of them as free downloads.

Mr. Fix-It: Chances are you will need something repaired in the next year, so think of this as a win-win gift. Honor Dad’s fix-it skills with a hefty gift card to Home Depot. It is close to home and he will have hours of fun planning on how to spend it.

The Golf Enthusiast: Taylormade Burner 1.0 irons are very desirable and are available at local golf shops. You might try Golf Discount at 126 South County Center Way for more ideas for the golfer-dad in all price ranges.

The Nostalgic Dad: Federhofer’s Bakery on Gravois makes a St. Louis style, chiffon cheesecake that is an old-time, local favorite, like the ones once sold at Famous Barr store bakeries. It is a special order item, so be sure to call 314-832-5116 to claim one for your dad this Father’s Day. The price is a reasonable $10.81 for a taste of authentic local history.

The Music Man: Dad might enjoy the Earth, Wind and Fire concert at The Fox on June 18, Father’s Day Eve. It is their 40th Anniversary Tour. You might also consider buying him some tickets to the Steely Dan concert, at The Fox on August 24. Better yet, buy him both.

The Cardinals Fan: A new logo Cardinals shirt with a few tickets tucked into the pocket could make his Father’s Day memorable this year, especially if it turns out to be a good game that goes into extra innings.

The Oenophile: Both Kayas’s Import Wine and Spirts, at 4117 Union Road, and Bottle Cellars, at 6039 Telegraph Road, have great selections of wines for gifting. It would be nice to take dad for a sampling session to make sure you choose his favorites. At Kaya’s, you can even get the bottle engraved as an extra touch.

The Fisherman: Take dad for a picnic and a fishing trip at the lake at Bee Tree Park. Make sure he has a current license, or make it part of his gift. He can use the license all year and he will think of you every time he lands a big one.

The Green Dad: Buy dad a Sierra Club membership online at http://www.sierraclub.org/. For as little as $15, he will receive a membership, a gift and a one-year subscription to the Sierra Club magazine. Another option is to make him a sponsor of a “wild place” for as little as $20.

The Beer Connoisseur: A trip to Anheuser Busch Brewery, 1127 Pestalozzi Street for a free tour Sunday 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. See the Clydesdales, watch the brewing process from grain to bottled beer and get samples in the Hospitality Room. There are also plenty of historical exhibits of brewery artifacts in the lobby.

A pricier gift is a $50 ticket to “Brew in the Lou” on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dad will visit five area microbreweries and be treated to food and beverage samples at each stop. Call 314-340-8936 for details.