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The secret to maintaining a good quality of life during pandemic lockdowns is to spend as much time in nature – or exposed to nature – as COVID regulations allow. If your urban-based dad is still in lockdown and he is an avid traveller and nature-lover, he may be feeling trapped in the built environment.
So this Father’s Day, move beyond the usual eco gifts such as organic socks and jocks and consider giving your dad a gift that will help him rediscover some natural joys closer to home and express his unique sustainable style.
If you’re stuck for ideas, here is a list of Father’s Day gift ideas for your sustainability-conscious father or father figure:
1. Organic Cotton Duffle Bag
When lockdowns end – and they will eventually end – travel-obsessed dads will be looking to book interstate trips and overseas holidays and they’ll need some travel goods to take with them. The Terra Threads ‘Bumi’ unisex duffle bag is the perfect size for quick getaways. Made from heavy duty Fairtrade-certified organic cotton canvas and responsibly made (read: workers are paid fair wages), this is a functional and versatile bag suitable for many off-grid adventures.
Price A$99.95. Comes in a range of colours including charcoal, sand dune and olive green. Shop here.
2. Sustainable Watch
Think it’s time your dad upgraded to a watch that matches his eco ethos? Hong Kong-based sustainable watch brand 2°EAST produces stylish watches with a minimalist twist that is built to last and made from low-impact materials such as zero waste ion plating and comes in recyclable packaging. It is also made as ethical-as-can-be in a local factory that has strong commitments to the well-being and rights of its workforce.
They also offer plenty of watch design options too: a black or white face, vegetable tanned Italian full grain leather strap, a fine silver or rose gold mesh strap or a printed woven strap made from 100% post-consumer RePET recycled plastic bottles. 2°EAST watches also feature sapphire crystal glass to ensure the watch face doesn’t scratch and Miyota quartz movements for precise and reliable movements. This is an eco luxury watch that doesn’t cost the earth.
Price US$130. Browse the entire range here.
3. Climate Crisis Game
Is your dad a bit of a board game addict? He’s going to enjoy playing Climate Crisis, a new game released by Nerd Games. This educational board game requires players to pool their special skills, work collaboratively to coordinate actions and devise strategies in search of scientific discoveries that will solve the global climate crisis, stabilise world population, stay alive and achieve environmental sustainability.
While developing the game, the team at Nerd Games conducted intensive research and before finalising the game, received feedback and materials from the Climate Council, Australia’s leading climate change communications non-profit organisation. True to its subject matter, there is no plastic used in the game, non-toxic vegetable inks are used and all components are recyclable.
Price $69.95. Buy now.
4. ‘The New Organic Grower’ by Eliot Coleman
If your father is getting serious about growing food since the COVID panic-induced supermarket runs, then he’ll appreciate the book ‘The New Organic Grower‘ by Eliot Coleman. First published in 1989 and recently updated for its 30th anniversary, this resource guide is as popular now as it was when it was first released. Jam-packed full of practical growing advice from one of the world’s leading voices in organic agriculture and small-scale market gardening, this resource will help your dad produce crops in abundance and make the most of the growing space he has.
Price $38.25. Shop here.
5. Organic Canvas Duvet + Sleeping Bag
Australian bespoke lifestyle and homewares brand Pony Rider, known for its quality bedding and canvas accessories, produces a multi-functional organic canvas duvet that’s versatile enough to use as a sleeping bag. Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, the canvas fabric is durable yet soft, and is machine washable. Make a gift of it and your dad will never leave for a camping and fishing trip without it!
Price $289. Comes in khaki, stone and tobacco brown (pictured below). Shop here.
6. Digital Nomad Set
Bellroy’s Digital Nomad Set is for the stylish dad who works remotely appreciates minimalist design and quality goods. The set contains a sleek laptop cover (choose from 13-inch or 16-inch) with magnetic closure and a tech kit that can hold chargers, cables, earbuds and other device accessories. Crafted from a durable woven fabric and environmentally certified leather (there is also a leather-free option), these eco-friendly digital accessories also comes with a three-year warranty.
Price $129. Comes in black, limestone (leather-free) and marina blue. Shop here.
7. DIY Mushroom Kit
For the father who loves eating gourmet mushrooms or loves to garden, or both, this DIY mushroom grow kit from Life Cykel is the ideal gift. Each mushroom box is filled with coffee ground substrate that can be composted at the end of its life. With just a little TLC aka spraying with water and monitoring growing, in just two weeks, your dad can harvest his first crop of mushrooms. The grow your own mushroom kit grows up to 500 grams of mushrooms and allows for three harvests.
Price $35. Shop here.
8. Outdoor Apparel
For the outdoorsy dad who should invest in proper apparel but doesn’t, this is your opportunity to show dad the best of sustainable outerwear. There are plenty of eco-conscious brands making fleece jumpers, down jackets, waterproof vests and warm base layer clothing for even the harshest of climates. Patagonia, Kathmandu and Icebreaker are all making progress in various areas of environmental sustainability, whether it be low-impact or natural fabrics, ethical sourcing, responsible manufacturing and reducing plastic packaging. If your dad loves the natural world, get him environmentally friendly threads. It’s just not cool to love the environment and still be wearing fast fashion.
Disclosure: This curated list does not fully take into account all ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. Prices are correct at time of publishing. For more information, click here. Cover image via Pony Rider.
