FFF: Gifts for Dad

It is always a challenge finding a great Father's Day gift.  Perhaps because my dad and I live far from each other and can't just pop around the corner for brunch, or because his birthday proceeds Father's Day by a scant two weeks, but coming up with a new idea every year always stumps me.  This year I've found a few fun gifts for Father's Day.

tenthousandvillages.com, Made in India, $16, $24

From Tara Projects in India comes a duo of retro-tech gifts.  Made from re-purposed circuit boards, this keepsake box and picture frame will elicit a chuckle from the computer lover or gamer in your life.  Use box for mementos, office supplies, or in a more literal application to house memory cards, flash drives, and other small tech gear.  Picture frame holds a 4x6 picture.  Box measures 3x3x2".

serrv.org, Made in Sri Lanka, $21

For the truly old-school gamer, this Sudoku set from the artisans of Gospel House Handicrafts in Sri Lanka is made from wood and comes in a drawstring bag with a booklet providing 27 game setups at 3 levels of difficulty to get you started.  (Hundreds of combinations at multiple levels of difficulty are possible.)  Numbered pegs are easy to rearrange, no eraser necessary! Now on sale for $21.

My dad doesn't grill but my brother does and boy, is he good it at.  For your favorite pit-master, Ten Thousand Villages has some serious grilling swag this summer.

tenthousandvillages.com, Made in India, $18

tenthousandvillages.com, Made in India, $18

In hefty stainless steel, this duo of 15" grilling skewers come topped with a variety of animal and vegetable figures for keeping things kosher on the grill and serving up meats and veggies in style. Skewers also come with adjustable end caps to keep all those tasty morsels in place until it is time to serve. Made by the artisans of Noah's Ark International Exports.

tenthousandvillages.com, Made in Bangladesh, $39

Also from Ten Thousand Villages, made by the artisans of Heed Handicrafts, comes this Good Grilling Chef's Set.  Hand-loomed navy cotton apron and mitt are hand-dyed with azo-free dyes and come in a gift box.  Apron has a sliding tie for the perfect fit and a large front pocket for holding mitt, recipes, or a cold drink.

tenthousandvillages.com, Made in Kenya, $44

Measuring 7" high, this Paternal Love kisii stone sculpture expresses the love of a father, as penguin fathers take on the dominant role in raising new young. Handmade in western Kenya by the kisii artisans of Tabaka.  Now discontinued and on sale for $22 online, supplies of this statue are limited.