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Strategy

Creative Father’s Day Gifts

Here are some promo ideas to celebrate dad while social distancing.

If your dad is anything like mine, he’s probably lost his marbles these past few months.

Trapped in a packed house with no diner, bar or mall to escape to, retirement hasn’t been easy during the coronavirus pandemic. There’s no ball game to watch and certainly no sleeping in with all the family bickering. There are only so many rooms to seek refuge and he’s fixed them all up by now.

The options may be limited for Father’s Day this year, but you can still celebrate dear, old dad while social distancing. Here are some creative gifts that distributors can pitch their clients.

Survival Tool Card

With all this time to catch up on work around the house, dad could use some new tools. Perhaps a screwdriver, four-position wrench, two-position wrench, saw blade, butterfly screw wrench, can opener, knife edge, ruler, bottle opener and compass indicator? Elgin, IL-based BizPins (asi/40595) combines all those functions into one with the survival tool card, a credit card-sized, stainless-steel version of a Swiss Army knife.

Lantern

Dads appreciate well-known retail brands like Coleman. Top 40 supplier IMAGEN Brands, parent firm of Crown (asi/47700) and Vitronic (asi/93990), carries the manufacturer’s outdoor recreation products, such as coolers, drinkware, chairs, grills and camping accessories. Don’t forget the Coleman 6D 3-panel LED lantern that has three detachable panels while the base stays lit. That gives you four sources of lighting, plus, the base has a USB port to charge mobile devices.

Golf Kit

Now that golf courses have reopened in several states, dads finally have an oasis. This premium golfers’ kit from Keene, NH-based Safety Made (asi/84514) contains everything you need for playing 18 holes while sanitizing and staying safe. In addition to essentials like a divot tool, pencil and three tees, the kit includes an antibacterial wipe, sunscreen, Advil, a poncho, bandages, swabs and more.

Speaker

Here’s an accessory for the golf cart, fishing hole or just the backyard. The JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth speaker from Houston-based Hirsch Gift (asi/61005) is portable and waterproof. Its integrated carabiner allows you to clip the speaker to any object, so you could hang it from your belt buckle while enjoying the outdoors or your shower curtain to drown out the kids.

Chair

Even though youth and school sports have yet to resume, it’s still nice to have a comfortable, lightweight and portable chair in the trunk of the car. Top 40 supplier BIC Graphic North America (asi/40480) has taken it one step further with the mesh Adirondack chair – a recliner and captain’s chair all in one. With an extendable footrest, two mesh can holders and a magazine pocket, dad can relax on the beach, at the field or even in the driveway.

Air Freshener

Remember driving? Ah, those were the days. As a matter of fact, the half-hour commute home is what ASI’s Nate Kucsma misses most about the office. With states slowly reopening and more Americans soon to be back on the road, Los Angeles-based Sprinters Advertising (asi/88891) is pushing car air fresheners. Fully customized, the air fresheners come in any shape and size and are packaged with a personalized label. As for the scent, the options are endless: lemon, cherry, lavender, apple, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee and more.

Shave Kit

Look, we could all use a haircut and trim of the beard. If dad’s starting to resemble Gandalf, maybe it’s time to give him a nudge. Stony Point, NY-based Giftbasket.com (asi/55910) offers The Gentleman Classic Shaving Kit, which includes a stainless-steel stand, basin, shaving brush, razor blade, 2.3-ounce container of shaving soap and 2.5-ounce tube of premium shaving cream.

Fortune Cookie

Everybody loves a sweet treat. Tell Dad how fortune-ate you are to have him in your life with a giant fortune cookie from Canoga Park, CA-based Lady Fortunes (asi/66050). Hand-dipped in your choice of fine Belgian chocolate or caramel, the 4-pound cookie is covered in blue and white sprinkles with icing beer mugs, adorable Mr. Magoo faces and a candy plaque saying “Dad.” Inside, the cookie will have a foot-long fortune with a personalized message. Throw some lottery numbers on there if you’re feeling clairvoyant.

Flight Paddle

Saved the best for last. Dad, like all of us, needs a drink or two or four. Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) has a bamboo flight paddle that brings the magic of a craft brewery to your home. The paddle holds up to four 5-ounce glasses (not included, although Hit also sells them) perfect for serving cocktails, beer samplers or shots.

Here's a toast to dads everywhere. Salute!