Best Father's Day Gift Ideas Made in Canada

What do you get for a father who has everything or ‘wants nothing’ on Father’s Day? You could make a donation to a cause he cares about, but you want to get him a physical gift that shows how much you care about him and appreciate all that he does for you and your family.

Well, instead of buying another tool for his collection or a trendy tech widget off Amazon, what about buying a gift that is made right here in Canada that has a meaningful connection to his pastimes, hobbies, job or dreams – we’re sure he’ll appreciate it. The items here may seem a bit pricey, but you’ll be getting longer-lasting quality, supporting local small businesses and fair employment standards.

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For the grill master – Hockey Stick Wooden BBQ Scraper

Just in time for grilling season, get Dad a wooden BBQ scraper by Harmsen’s Hockey.

As you scrape away the bits off a hot BBQ’s grill, grooves will burn into the hardwood head, allowing you to scrape in between the grills as well. This way, you don’t need to worry about the bristles on a typical brush coming loose and potentially being injested.

What’s really cool is that the handle is made of a repurposed game-used, pro model hockey stick and you can choose your Dad’s favorite hockey stick brand such as Bauer, CCM and Warrior.

The hanging loop is made of skate laces which is a great touch too! You won’t find anything quite like it!

For the hockey lover – Hockey Stick Muskoka Chair

Same materials – bigger vision. If you’re looking for a substantial gift that everyone can pitch in for, The Hockey Stick Muskoka Chair is the perfect addition to the patio, cottage or garage where a hockey loving Dad can sit back, enjoy a bevvy or wait for the burgers to finish. The trouble is, when Dad gets up, how will you determine who gets to sit in it next?

For the outdoorsman – D.H. Russell Canadian Belt Knife

The #1 Original Design is a general purpose outdoor knife for camping, fishing and hunting that has been in production for 50 years and counting. It was created after field testing with hunters and trappers across Northern Canada.

It features a 4” x 1” blade (total knife length 8.5”), a high carbon stainless steel blade, a natural rosewood handle and comes with a leather belt sheath. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Grohmann Knives which has been manufacturing knives in Canada since 1969 and operates out of their factory in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

For the bearded Dad – Bearded Nomad’s Beard Oil, Balm, Wax and Soap Combo Pack

Life is wild – but Dad’s beard doesn’t have to be.

Their combo pack is a great made for Father’s Day gift and is handmade in Hamilton, ON. It includes beard oil to soften and moisturize and add volume, beard and mustache wax for styling and smoothing split ends, beard balm – a combination of oil and wax and a bar of soap. There are a range of subtle scents to choose from including peppermint and vanilla, cedarwood and lime and grapefruit, birch and cinnamon. Help tame his man-mane so his lady won’t complain!

For the snacker – Jerky in a Box

Fill up with a flavourful, low-fat, protein-packed snack of Jerky in a Box’s premium jerky made in small batches and hand cut by Drake Meats in Drake, SK. Made with 100% Canadian beef and 24 hour+ marinades in unique flavours like sea salt and cracked black pepper, Montreal smoked and honey whisky. You might just have to buy some for yourself too (you know, to get free shipping…)

Alternatives:

BKH Jerky (Based in BC – free shipping over $135)
MTL Jerky (Free shipping over $50 in ON, QC)
Big Chief (Free shipping over $60)

For the cold footed – Kanada Moccasin

Keep Dad’s feet toasty warm and support Indigenous communities with the best Canadian-made slippers. The suede sole is very durable – yet thin and malleable to provide barefoot-like comfort. The fleece lining and rabbit fur is very soft and cozy to provide plenty of insulation.

The beautiful beadwork is done by Indigenous artist and teacher, Rosa Scribe (Cree, Norway House) and a portion of each sale goes to her directly.

Manitobah Mukluks is an Indigenous-owned company with a vision to build a vibrant global brand that makes positive impacts in Indigenous communities. The moccasins above are made out of their Winnipeg, MB facility.

For the gamer – Euchre Counter and Card Box

Ensure Dad never “forgets” what trump, who’s deal or the score is with this solid cherry hardwood laser engraved counter that doubles as a playing card box by wood artist Paul Szewc in Guelph, ON. With this you’ll always know which deck of playing cards is pre-sorted for euchre. Personalization with a quote or joke engraved inside the box is available.

For the escaper – Escape Mail Ep. 1 – Family Secrets

Have a mail order escape game delivered to your door that uses various mediums and materials including a digital component best played in small groups of 2 to 4 people by Mobile Escape in Calgary, AB. If Dad enjoys the first one, the adventure continues in 9 additional episodes in season 1 to play through.

For the coffee lover – Personalized mug

Customize the child’s name, heart colour, “dad”, “daddy”, “papa”, etc. Ceramic mug made in a home studio in Spruce Grove, AB using high quality sublimation and heat press equipment. It is both microwave and dishwasher safe.

For the writer – Autmog Single Metal Pens

Minimalist brass, aluminum or copper, or multi-metal that feel substantial and solid to hold (22.5g to 65g) so you don’t have to apply much pressure to write. Created in a small shop in Vancouver, BC. The precise surface finish quality is smooth to the touch. The pen is 4 ¾” long and just under ½” in diameter. Grip grooves near the tip are optional. Perfect for a Dad who writes, journals, or signs documents.

Comes with a Parker style Schmidt P9000 EasyFlow (ink is between a gel and a traditional oil-based ball-point) and uses common SO G2 (Parker) Pen Refills.

For the heat lover – Maritime Madness Gourmet Hot Sauce

Build your own box of 4 hot sauces for $39.95 and free shipping. You can choose from over 35 hot (or not) and tasty sauces such as: Fiery Chipotle, Wicked Buffalo, Habanero Moonshine, Hops & Lime and Mexican Mole – you’re sure to find 4 that are a great fit for Dad, no matter what heat level, flavor profile, or lifestyle diet/protocol he follows.

Maritime Madness makes their sauces in-house from scratch with local sourcing in mind and boasts 1800+ of 5 star reviews of their sauces.

For the sweet tooth – Newfoundland Chocolate Company’s Gift Basket

Ow’s ya fadder gettin’ on?

If your ‘fadder’ is from or fond of Newfoundland (as I am), get him a gift basket of artisanal chocolate from the chocolaterie in the historic building on Duckworth Street in downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland. $12 flat rate standard shipping.

For the wanderer – Tilly Bucket Hat

The iconic Tilly bucket hat is still handmade in Canada from breathable cotton duck fabric. It is lightweight, water repellant, buoyant and well ventilated with a UPF 50+ rating for long adventures outdoors. OEKO-TEX® certified and free shipping.

For the DIYer – Akribis Leather R1HB Tool Belt

A buy-it-for-life leather tool belt made by carpenter Luke Riemer and his tradesmen for tradesmen in Summerland, BC. Their bags have been driven over, ripped into, yanked on and tossed around, been through scorching sun, intense rain, mud and snow – from Brazil to Madrid, Toronto to London. Made for right or left-handed Dads.

For the watch collector – 2nd Shot Recycled Skateboard Watch

Creator and artist John Gibson handcrafts the dials on these one-of-a-kind timepieces from recycled Pioneer Skate skateboards and assembles the watch in Grand Valley, ON. He doesn’t skimp on the movement either: it includes a Japan Miyota Movement (Quartz). Water resistance of 10 ATM. The watch comes with a box made of bamboo and recycled skateboards.

The perfect gift for a Dad who appreciates a finely made watch.

For the photographer – Nanuk 910 Waterproof Hard Case

Protect a DSLR/mirrorless camera, drone, telescope, laptop or other valuables in this shockproof and waterproof (IPX7) hard case. The optional cubed foam can be cut out in the shape of the item(s) it will hold to provide a deep and secure fit and the two-step latches make sure the case never opens when it’s not supposed to.

For the commuter – Hook & Stem Every Day Carry Catchall Tray

A place for Dad to put his every day carry (EDC) items – wallet, watch, keys, etc – after he gets in the door after work (on a desk, island or side table) or is getting ready for bed (on a dresser or nightstand) to keep them neat and organized (and to make sure nothing is misplaced!)

Handmade out of black walnut from Northern Ontario by Mike and Claire of Hook & Stem out of Toronto, ON, it has attractive wood grain and smooth, rounded corners.

Free shipping. Hook & Stem has over 2000 5 star reviews of their products.

For the big spender – Personalized slim leather wallet

Want to leave Dad a message, note or quote every time he opens his wallet? CaglarCreations gives you the option of engraving the front side of the wallet or the inside right panel with any font, logo or emoji’s you’d like.

This slim wallet is made from beautiful and eco-friendly vegetable tanned full-grain leather and has space for 7 cards and 1 transparent compartment for his driver’s license or ID. Great for any Dad who needs to downsize his wallet.

For the chef – Personalized cutting board

Both the cutting boards and laser engraving are done in-house by a small shop in Airdrie, AB. Personalize the board with Dad’s name, “Dad’s Kitchen” or any other short phrase, note or quote. Choose from cherry, maple or walnut wood boards are available in 12×9” or 17×11” and ⅞” thick.

For the traveler – Toiletry bag

A buy-it-for-life minimalist toiletry bag or ‘dopp kit’ handmade out of waxed canvas, thick vegetable tanned leather, a solid brass YKK zipper and double stitched corners and seams. It is crafted in a small family-run home studio in the countryside outside of Edmonton, AB and personalization with Dad’s initials is available.

For the tinkerer – Personalized metal garage sign

Mount a metal sign on the door or wall of Dad’s workshop to remind everyone who’s the boss in that space. The name, middle lettering (garage, man cave, hot tub, patio, garden, gym, bar, etc.) and established date can all be personalized and the sign can be powder coated in a variety of colours including: gold, copper, blue and red.

For the birdwatcher – Metal bird garden sculpture

Make sure there is always at least one ‘bird’ in the yard with this metal blue jay silhouette. Can easily be mounted to a tree, fence, birdfeeder, stump or other wooden base. Transform Dad’s porch, garden or environment into a work of art. 6 other types of birds are available as well as a black cat, squirrel and bigfoot handmade by IronCrowStudio in Domain, Manitoba.

For the comfort lover – Artisan slim fit sweatpants

Keep Dad comfortable while helping him leave bagginess behind with these contemporary, Canadian-made slim fit sweatpants that he can wear anywhere. Toronto-based Jerico Sportswear is a regular contributor to a number of philanthropic organizations including Doctors Without Borders and the Oasis Clothing Bank.

For the beer lover – Beer Cap Map of Canada

There are over 1,000 craft breweries across Canada and while there aren’t enough holds on this map for all of them, Dad can collect the caps of his 69 favorite beers (or ciders) in this 24″ by 15″ baltic birch plywood map of Canada that has a lacquer finish making it smooth to the touch.

For the green thumb – Watson Stealth Hero Gloves

Handmade in Vancouver, BC since 1918, Watson Gloves are the first to use eco-conscious recycled polyester yarn from up to 3 recycled plastic water bottles per pair (25% WasteNot™), so the bottles are reused rather than getting stuck in landfills for hundreds of years. They are cut-resistant, OEKO-TEX STANDARD® 100 certified and snug-fitting – great for yard work.

Compared to traditional polyester, WasteNot™ uses 59% less energy, emits 32% less CO2 emissions, and generates 79% less carbon emissions. As of April 2021, Watson Gloves has used over 800,000 plastic bottles in their products.

For the proud Dad – Dad Sweatshirt Washed Black

For the Dad who wants to proudly (but somewhat subtly) announce that he is a father to everyone he runs into and is happy to be asked about his child(ren). This soft, lightweight, 100% cotton sweatshirt by Province of Canada is washed with black eco-friendly ink to give it a faded, worn-in look. Ships free in certified compostable packaging.