My father is deceased. My partner and I wouldn’t dream of calling each other “Dad” or “Pa” (nor do either of us qualify as “sugar daddy” to the other). My two cats are treated like children, but neither is smart enough to buy me a present. Father’s Day is pretty meaningless at my house! How’s that for a kick-off to this article? Personal life aside, I hear people all around me complaining about Father’s Day: fathers are often disappointed in the gifts they receive, suspecting the gift is more for the giver, than the receiver (tickets to shows and games, fancy dinners at restaurants); children struggle to buy something original that will still be enjoyed. Since my “beat” is perfume, here are some scented suggestions if you’re still searching for a gift.

Let’s start with the head; the locus of male drudgery — shaving. Classic Shaving offers some cool gift options: its retro, and colorful, Pinaud-Clubman set includes five, 12.5 oz bottles of Lime Sec and Citrus Musk Eaux de Cologne, Lilac Vegetal, Bay Rum and Clubman “Original” aftershave lotions, $50 (or the same set in 6 oz bottles for $30); the Thiers Issard Super Badger 26mm Shaving Brush is beautiful (the bristles are set into a desert ironwood base), $230; present the brush with a tin of Pré de Provence Shaving Cream, 150 g, sage scent, $15. Have a dad with whiskers? Give him some beard soap and beard tonic from Ireland…

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