Father’s Day is coming up. In Canada, the US, and the UK, it’s on the third Sunday of June, June 16th.
Is Father’s Day just a modern tradition invented by some marketing agency to sell stuff? It’s undoubtedly commercial now, but in Europe, Saint Joseph’s Day was established in 1479. Joseph was the legal father of Christ. The modern version came from the United States, dating back to 1910 and was (re)invented by Sonora Smart Dodd to honour fathers who died in the Monongah mining disaster.
In other words, as tabletop games, we can put our worldbuilding hats on and wonder why our fantasy or sci-fi worlds don’t have their own Father’s Day. Both origins of the celebration are rooted deep in religion and culture.
Cuckooland predicts
Cuckooland is not the name of a quirky fantasy world but a Yorkshire-based retailer. Geek Native’s sister site, Edinburgh Reviews, got their attention, and I was able to talk them into making predictions for what’s going to be fashionable gifts this Father’s Day.
Outdoor gifts are going to lead the charge, according to Cuckooland. Why? Their buyers cite the warmer weather, the rising popularity of camping, the steadily high popularity of gardening here in the UK as well as gifts that might also please the kids.
Cuckooland told me;
We predict that the top five bestsellers this Father’s Day will be the Ooni heat-resistant gloves, as these fit a variety of budgets and are a handy (mind the pun) product for Dad to have at home, especially in spring/summer when the weather is warmer, and the BBQs are ready to be lit. Ooni’s products are of excellent quality, and these are no different. They’re heat resistant, made from premium leather, and finished in deep blue with yellow accents.
Dads always need a quiet and comfortable space to enjoy rest and relaxation, and indoor bean bags tick all the boxes. After all, what’s better than a comfy seat that can be moved from room to room? We also expect outdoor lights to be a popular choice for Father’s Day, so Dads can spend more time outdoors and light up the garden with solar-powered or chargeable lights. Wireless headphones are another popular choice around this time of year, and we expect the same again in June for dads who want to zone out in the gym or listen to a podcast on the go. Last but not least, BBQ aprons will be in demand due to the time of year and the popularity of al fresco dining. Lots of people have invested in outdoor pizza ovens
What would you go for?
What would I go for? I’m glad you asked. I’m not a father and these are out of my price range but check out this weighted blanket which normally costs £200+. I’m told weighted blankets really make a difference.
Coming soon, and with nowhere to go except my dreams, there’s this (can I call it 70s style?) velvet lounge chair which I think would be a delightful paradox to watch from brutal anime from!
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