Whether it’s your own dad or some other father figure, there’s probably someone in your life who would like to hear, “Thanks for your help.” You can do that any time, of course, but Sunday is a sanctioned holiday for it. Below are some ideas for local gifts and things to do together.
Musician and perfumer Steve Soderholm launched Ranger Station in Nashville more than a decade ago, after he made a candle in a reusable whiskey glass. Now the company is known for its fragrances and its celeb collabs. There’s even car cologne — and if your dad’s car smells like mine (a combination of dog fur, wet paddleboard gear, and leftovers), that would be a welcome gift; choose from Stick Season Car Freshener (feat. Noah Kahan) or Hoss (feat. Waylon Jennings) Car Cologne. Want something he can wear? Try Rich 90s Dad Cologne, which they say smells like “2:00 tee time, classic cologne, tucked-in polo, Jaguar XJ interior.”
I love to be outside, and when it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, I need to be on the water. I no longer own Nashville Paddle Co., but I did for more than a decade, so I can tell you with confidence that taking dad for a paddleboard lesson is a masterclass in family bonding, with the added bonus of great photos.
Think you can’t afford to take Dad out for Father’s Day? Great news: Leiper’s Fork Distillery is offering “penny pours” — yes, pours of Tennessee whiskey for just $0.01 all day this Sunday. While there, you can take a tour of the distilling process and splurge on a nice bottle of bourbon for him to take home.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint turns 20 this year. All summer, they’ll be selling limited-edition versions of some of their past t-shirts. Start the series off by buying Dad the Eat BBQ for World Peace shirt (seems like a good message these days). You can grab sauces, spice rubs, and a copy of Pat Martin’s cookbook, too.
Nashville Paddle Co. on Percy Priest Lake. (Courtesy of Nashville Paddle Co.)
Treat Your Way Through the History of Father’s Day
While prepping today’s newsletter, I Googled the history of Father’s Day, and promptly fell into a research rabbit hole. So, here’s a story even a long-winded dad could love. You can share it with him while driving to the Lane Motor Museum, which is offering free admission for fathers on Sunday.
I read a bunch of fascinating stories about the “first” Father’s Day observances, from the Catholic Church celebrating fatherhood in the 1500s to a 1908 mining accident in West Virginia. In 1918, Pres. Woodrow Wilson wanted to make Father’s Day a holiday, but Congress apparently turned it down because they were worried it would get too commercialized. In light of that, instead of buying dad a gift, why not take him to Jazz on the Cumberland on Sunday evening?
Father’s Day wasn’t a permanent, national holiday until Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. According to the “Old Farmer’s Almanac,” the date was chosen because it was far enough away from Mother’s Day that preachers would have time to come up with completely different sermons. PS: Does your dad enjoy almanacs? He might appreciate a rare or antique volume from Rhino Booksellers.
In contrast, Mother’s Day was introduced as early as 1871, first recognized as a holiday in 1914, and immediately had widespread acceptance. Apparently, Father’s Day didn’t catch on as quickly as Mother’s Day because some dudes thought the idea of flowers and appreciation was too feminine. To get your dad a macho plant instead, check out the amazing selection at Lawrence & Clarke Cacti Co. in Donelson. They’ll even pot it up for him.
