What the Dads of Domino Are Getting for Father’s Day
From a slick sprinkler to a DIY-style side table.
Updated Oct 12, 2018 1:13 AM
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We get it: Dads can be tough to buy for. But before you click on yet another mug for the father in your life, think about the way he spends his days. Is he a budding builder? An aspiring chef? A history nerd? If you’re still stumped, we endorse just asking him what he’d like. A surprise is a mere moment in time—a good gift is forever.
This year Team Domino did exactly that to find out what dads actually want for Father’s Day. From a top-of-the-line pizza oven to Japanese garden shears, they guided us to the best personality-driven gifts out there. Because nobody needs more mugs.
Terry Talk
My dad spent the past year building his dream yard at my parents’ summer home in Shelburne, Vermont. This, of course, includes an outdoor spa with swinging lanterns and vintage iron railroad spikes as towel hooks. For Father’s Day, I have been eyeing these towels from Kassatex. They’re bright, easy to throw in the wash, and the perfect gift for his new favorite child…the Jacuzzi. —Caroline Joseph, associate client partner
Master Chef
In 2020 we all had to find new hobbies to keep us entertained. For my dad, it was cooking. After a year of exclusively preparing fresh fish, it’s time he moved on to bigger and brighter recipes. This aluminum pasta-maker creates linguine, spaghetti, and lasagna noodles with just the crank of a handle. It’s also super-easy to clean and even comes with a recipe book to get Dad started. The best part? We all reap the rewards. —Esmé Stern, contributing editor
Grass Roots
When my dad isn’t obsessing over cutting our grass, he’s contemplating ways to make it greener. For any lawn to truly shine, it’s got to be hydrated. Cue this sprinkler system that’s reaped more than 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon. This version will save him the effort of moving a traditional one around the yard (it can travel on its own as far as 200 feet!). Now he can spend more time with me when I come to visit. —Lydia Geisel, associate editor, home
A One-Pan Show
My dad recently started cooking from Julia Turshen’s Simply Julia (how adorable), and I noticed from the pictures he’s texting me of his culinary masterpieces that he doesn’t own a cast-iron pan! So I’m sending him this Lodge one, which I hope will become his new go-to when tackling Turshen’s spinach and artichoke chicken bake. —Julie Vadnal, deputy editor
Snip, Snip
My dad and I share a love of landscaping. While I was growing up, he always found relaxation in tending to his garden, yard, or farm. This year I’m giving him a pair of Opinel hand pruning shears for Father’s Day. A French classic, this workhorse tool is easy to navigate around branches big and small. —Megan West, head of brand and creative studio
Tuned In
My dad’s music recording studio is his happy place. He’s taken it upon himself to design a custom built-in cushioned bench—with a trapdoor-style opening to store guitars, of course—and is starting a collection of mix-and-match indigo pillows for on top. When I showed him this one by Tensira, he was so inspired he emailed the company right away to compliment its work. Needless to say, this year’s Father’s Day present was a no-brainer. —Julia Stevens, associate style editor
Power Play
When confronted with some overgrown trees in our backyard, my father lent me his trusty electric Sawzall from Milwaukee Tool. I never knew how handy this power tool could be for creating more natural light for our vegetable garden. My only complaint was the cord always got in the way. This Father’s Day I’m returning the favor with this cordless, battery-powered version that has twice the run time, a five-year warranty, and even a built-in LED so you can see where you’re cutting, even in shady conditions. —Benjamin Reynaert, style director
Novel Nook
My husband, Ian, has so many books and loves to have access to them next to the bed. I thought a low bookshelf on the wall of his side would be perfect for Father’s Day. —Kate Berry, chief creative officer
Table Stakes
My partner has been dabbling in woodworking, but before investing in workshop-level tools, this wabi-sabi oak table is a nice gateway DIY. Like an arts-and-crafts starter kit, where all the doodads come together in one nice little package, the flat-pack piece arrives with just enough assembly required—wedges and a cute, kid-friendly mallet—for him to feel satisfied in a job well done (emphasis on done). So the rest of the day can be spent admiring his handiwork. —Alex Redgrave, executive editor
Storage Wars
My family has a lot of maker and builder dads. These rolling footlockers are made tough enough for storing tools in the shop…but I’d also snag a couple for a little industrial foot-of-the-bed storage for me. —Brit Ashcraft, design director
Hot Topic
My dad has been on a quest to create the perfect pizza from scratch, making Ooni’s hardwood, pellet-fueled portable pizza oven the perfect gift. Now he’ll be able to make pies that look like they came straight from Italy in as little as 60 seconds! —Belle Morizio, assistant photo editor and photographer