Eco-Friendly Canadian Gift Ideas for Dads

Have you ever wondered why eco-conscious branding and marketing is predominantly geared towards women? One of the main reasons? “Women are not only more powerful consumers but also disproportionately responsible, still, for the domestic sphere,” according to The Guardian. While we believe the “eco gender gap” (a term coined by market research firm, Mintel) needs to be closed, it starts with opening up the dialogue surrounding its roots, drawing awareness to the disparity, in conjunction with the help of businesses offering more eco-friendly options to the male customer.

What better way to start that conversation than with a list of eco- and male-friendly gifts? Needless to say, coming up with one from strictly Canadian sustainable brands was not easy. Despite being geared towards fathers, many products listed below also make great gifts for the everyday person or parent in your life. Whether they are into sports, entertaining or relaxing at home, the list below can save you time, while saving the planet.

FOR THE NEW FATHER

THE SAWYER - Black Beluga Wrap 76.95 CAD

Beluga Baby

Vancouver, BC

Perfect for keeping hands free while carrying a baby, swaddles are a dad’s best friend. Carriers support the baby and give more mobility while building an intimate bond between child and parent.

We love The Sawyer - Black Beluga Wrap from Vancouver's Beluga Baby. Locally handmade with 66% sustainable bamboo and 28% cotton with a unique four-way stretch thanks to 6% Spandex. Regularly wearing this really soft wrap soothes and comforts your baby, and reduces crying 43 percent overall and 51 percent at night. It is the easiest and most comfortable way to carry and keep your baby close.

Beluga Baby continues to strive for sustainability by using certified organic bamboo, and by planning to make the organic cotton switch. The fabric they use is Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Certified, which means that run-offs are environmentally friendly, and production is free from harmful substances.

With so many advantages, any dad would love to have this added to their child-rearing repertoire!

FOR THE WHISKY ENTHUSIAST

THE FORAGER Botanical Whisky 750mL $34.95 CAD

Forty Creek

Grimsby, Ontario

We all deserve to unwind every now and then, and that usually means kicking back with a nice drink. A whisky to be exact. Whisky is a well-loved spirit by Canadians, coming in second only to vodka as the most popular spirit as surveyed by Spirits Canada. The Forager from Forty Creek is making waves with connoisseurs and critics alike, as the world’s first botanical Canadian Whisky.

Created to reflect the natural elements of Canada’s untamed wilderness, professional foragers search and source natural botanicals from all across Eastern Canada. With sustainability as one of their key pillars, each of the botanicals used is respectfully hand-picked using sustainable harvesting methods. This followed by steeping into a world-class, ultra-silky whisky weaves the flavours together. Because of the unique chemistry of these botanicals, it can also be used as a full-flavoured gin substitute, perfectly enjoyed over ice or as a twist on the classic gin and tonic.

Dads will appreciate the complex flavours from the Whisky Makers of the Decade, Forty Creek. As a bonus, check out their recipes for delicious cocktails you can make at home!

FOR THE MEAL PREPPER

THE STARTER LUNCH KIT $77.10 CAD

The Green Jar Shop

Toronto, Ontario

Did you know that a home-cooked meal has way more advantages than take-out? Not only is it beneficial to your health, but it is also good for your wallet and the Earth.

Fast food and casual restaurants often serve meals in single-use, throw-away packaging that ends up in landfills. This Starter Lunch Kit from The Green Jar Shop is a great solution to the packaging dilemma. It has all the reusable essentials for an uncomplicated lunch pack: insulated bottle, stainless steel lunch box, stainless steel straw and straw brush, bamboo cutlery set and pouch, bamboo toothbrush, mesh produce bags, all of which are carried in a neutral-coloured lunch bag.

An eco-friendly shop in downtown Toronto, The Green Jar believes that ‘small steps can create a big change’. They are a one-stop-shop for a range of sustainable products, where reducing single-use plastics and waste is their number one priority. Another great feature? Use their refillery station, amply stocked with a wide range of personal care and household products. You can fill up your own containers with as much or as little as you want.

FOR THE GRILLER

GRILLING STONE $195 CAD

Lithologie

Montreal, Quebec

For dads who love to cook and grill, great accessories for the kitchen or backyard barbecue make perfect Father’s Day gifts. With the summer season coming up, help him enjoy one of his favourite activities even more with a great gift that is sure to pique his interest!

We found the perfect gadget: the Grilling Stone from Lithologie. Its unique thermal properties allow for unlimited possibilities - from cooking with high heat to creating homemade ice cream. The stone is made from basaltic andesite - a 2.7 billion-year-old fine-grained rock of volcanic origins, which means it can absorb heat without cracking. With the rarity of this stone, they are only producing 50 of these special grills, making it a truly unique gift.

Lithologie is inspired by nature; they believe in a circular economy, sourcing their wood from leftovers of the wood floor industry. They are passionate about rocks and respect the environment, that’s why they manufacture everything by hand (yes, even the rock extraction process!) and only work with local companies. They have made the environmental commitment to finding more sustainable solutions while offering high-quality products that are rich in history. They want to ensure you are proud to own each product you buy from them.

FOR THE NIGHTTIME READER

BEDSIDE LIGHT $80 CAD

JOMO Studio

Toronto, Ontario

Reading is important to one’s development, and books are great tools for introducing children to the world around them. Children with fathers who are involved in this activity tend to grow up with better language skills and cognitive development. Bedtime reading has been a go-to activity for parent and their children to bond for as long as we can remember!

Toronto-based JOMO Studio created a great bedside light from recycled concrete, perfect for this quality-time activity. JOMO Studio is an artfully handcrafted planterior design studio. They implement sustainable practices in their operations by repurposing recycled concrete from their Toronto studio and using 100% degradable paper planter bags made from fibre blends and recycled polyester. Their Recycled Concrete Bedside Light is handmade and shaped like a house - a reminder of the light and warmth of a home. We think it’s the most symbolic and functional gift that also doubles as an art piece.

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE COMFORT AND SIMPLICITY

WAFFLE LONG SLEEVE TEE $68 CAD

Province of Canada

Toronto, Ontario

Everyone needs clothing staples in their closet that are versatile enough to create multiple looks. One of those articles of clothing should be this Waffle Long Sleeve Tee from Province of Canada - easily worn over jeans, slacks or shorts, while still looking stylish. The waffle fabric is the perfect combination of simple, sophisticated and comfortable.

Made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, it is grown sustainably and knitted locally. In 2014, Province of Canada launched as a small collection of locally-made pieces and has since grown to include adult, kid, and home textile pieces that reflect their vision of what a Canadian brand can look like. Province of Canada is proud of its Canadian DNA and is one of the only brands in the world that manufactures every one of its products locally. They ship online orders in certified compostable packaging and do their best to reduce their environmental footprint every day.

In an effort to give back, Province of Canada donates a pair of socks to homeless shelters for every pair purchased through their 1 For 1 Sock Program. They have donated over 6000 pairs of socks to Canadian homeless shelters since 2018.

FOR THE BEARD GROWER

GENTLEMAN'S BEARD BUNDLE $62 CAD

Walton Wood Farm

Bailieboro, Ontario

Whether or not beards are your thing, if the dads in your life have facial hair, they’ll appreciate this next gift on our list. Step up his beard game with the Gentleman’s Beard Bundle from Walton Wood Farm.

Containing a Beard Balm, Beard Wash, and Power Shower/Shampoo, these goodies will help soften and condition his beard. All products are made with natural and sustainable ingredients and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

The Walton Wood Farm team (from accountant to customer service) all work together in developing each product sold from their farm. They believe in preserving their county’s rural history along with their 1850s barn for future generations to benefit from. They are committed to making eco-friendly, high-quality products that protect the environment while hoping to inspire farms around them to diversify their businesses and save the iconic barns in their community. With no harmful ingredients in any of their products, help Dad look and feel good by keeping harmful toxins away from his body and the planet.

CLOSING THE ECO-GENDER GAP

As a whole, we believe marketing for sustainable brands shouldn’t just be a focus on genders; it requires a collective effort. “With eco-friendly campaigns and product claims largely aimed at female audiences”, advertisers run the risk of communicating the message that sustainability is women’s work. Instead, it’s something we all should deem important as humans living on this planet.

Having more products available to all sexes is a step. While we are still looking for ways to encourage advocacy for the health of our planet from more of the population, drawing awareness to the areas for improvement can help spark development.

What are some ways that we can encourage more participation from men in the movement towards a greener planet?