Eco-Friendly Gifts 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

Forty Creek, Grimsby ON: THE FORAGER BOTANICAL WHISKY 750mL $34.95 CAD

Good Earth Gifting, Pickering ON: WHISKY GIFT BOX $159 CAD

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!

Paired perfectly with Good Earth Gifting's Cocktail gift box containing:

• Whisky stones - handcrafted from million year old Canadian rocks, these are reusable alternative to keep drinks at their optimal temperature, without watering down or diluting the flavour.

• Walnut Coaster Set -made from repurposed wood

• Non-alcoholic Simple Syrup - created for for drinking and cooking; excellent with all spirits

• Alcohol-infused* Artisanal Popcorn - popcorn like you've never had before. *Alcohol-free - the cooking process burns off the alcohol content.

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 BASIC SELF-CARE

GROOM KIT $119 CAD

Good Earth Gifting

Pickering, Ontario

For those who love basics! Containing a trial shaving kit with travel-friendly shaving essentials, shower gel, deodorant stick, lip balm, and shampoo and conditioner bars. These zero-waste alternative products are made with natural and sustainable ingredients and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Learn more about each product here.

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 THOSE ON-THE-GO

ON-THE-GO $199 CAD

Good Earth Gifting

Pickering, Ontario