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Father Day Gift Guide - 2 weeks to find the perfect gift!

Sunday, 7 June 2015

I'm Looking for ideas for this Fathers Day - 21st June? I have put together a gift guide which I hope will help you!

Happy shopping!

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For the Health Conscious Dad.


Bella Extract Pro Blender – The Ultimate Blending System!



A jug blender is a must have in any kitchen, but the Bella Extract Pro Blender really takes this to another level with its unique nutrient extraction system pulling ALL vital nutrients from foods in just seconds!


The first thing I notice when this arrived was how modern and stylish it looked. It fits in perfectly with all of my other kitchen gadgets. The second thing was there is no dial to turn on this blender, it is all controlled by the buttons on the blender base. There is even 7 pre-programmed settings to take away the guesswork and save you time - plus high, low and pulse options for precision or making breadcrumbs in seconds.


What's in the box:
Blender base 
Stainless steel Nutri-Extract blades
Stainless steel Grinding blades,
1.5 litre jug with handle & lid with integrated measuring cap - BPA-free
Two 700ml Tumblers -BPA-free
One 350ml Tumbler -BPA-free
A storage lid, 
Tumbler ring
Travel lid - perfect for smoothies on the go.

The Nutri-Extract Blade simply extracts crucial vitamins and blends them into a deliciously, nutritious, creamy smoothie in seconds. while the separate stainless steel Grinding Blade easily pulverizes oats, seeds, spices or coffee beans into powder. 


This blender really has been thought out well and is such good quality. It's the little touches that take a product to another level and Bella really have done that. For example the jug handle isn't just a straight piece of plastic, it is shaped for easy grip and comfort, and they have even gone to the lengths of fitting suckers under the base to prevent slipping!


From smoothies to baby food, cocktails to ground coffee beans, this blender really can do it all! It is a little noisy but that is to be expected when it features a super powerful 700 Watt motor! I would recommend this product, it is far better than our old one that cost more than double the price.

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Spanx For Men Cotton Compression V-Neck 


This Spanx For Men Cotton Compression V-neck uses a specially formulated high stretch fabric which helps temperature control and promote air circulation - particularly on the back and underarms. 

Made from simply 81% Cotton and 19% Spandex/Elastane it adds no bulk under clothes. is comfortable to wear yet powerful at flattening his stomach, firming his chest, improving posture and supporting the lower back.


Left - before & Right - after.

Left - before & Right - after.

How it works:
The targeted panels work on the core muscles to give the stomach a flatter look, chest firmer and a more slim-line waist.


Liv's Daddy is a huge fan of his and feels more confident with his problem areas smoothed out.


Available in black white grey and sizes Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large. Priced at £52.

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Does he need help in the kitchen?


Here are some more ideas from the OXO good grips range.



This little gadget made my Husbands eyes light up when he spotted it! I'm not a fan of traditional meat tenderizers as they seem to just flatten the meat out achieving nothing but I have to admit this is very different. Here's how it works: move the lock to the unlocked position, place this tenderizer on top of your meat and press down. This pushes the 50 sharp blades inside into the meat, repeat over the whole surface and the other side if it is particularly thick. Obviously once you have finished using it move the switch back to the locked position for safety. We tried this on some pork steaks which I then covered with a marinade and refrigerated overnight. The marinade had really soaked in and the cooking time was reduced too. BPA free.


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OXO Clean cut pizza wheel - £10




This is a pizza cutter with a difference! It is lovely and chunky, molded into the perfect shape to fit well in your hand. The bladed wheel itself is a lot bigger than most other pizza cutter allowing you to cut through thin or thick bases with gentle ease. The handle pops open allowing the blade to be removed for easy cleaning. My favourite feature is the clip in blade guard protecting fingers when rummaging in the kitchen drawers. BPA free.

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To keep him hydrated while he is slaving away, check out this good grips twist top bottle priced at £10


This bottle features a retractable rubber straw making it leak proof. 
  

It is easy to carry with a soft non slip carrying loop and screw on lid, measuring indicators go up to 500ml one side and 16oz on the other, allowing you to pour in your desired amount of liquid then add ice, shake powder or fruit. BPA free.


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Beyond hope in the kitchen? 


Make him a lovely meal.


They say the way to a Mans heart is through his stomach so why not cook for him? You can get all you need this Fathers Day at Morrisons. They have a fabulous range of food, drinks and gifts.

Their range includes lovely items for a big breakfast to start the day off, lots of choice for a BBQ or his favourite meal.

Here is what I cooked last year:



Fillet steak fresh from the in store butcher - they will happily provide cooking advice if required. I cooked mine in the slow cooker with some beef stock, red wine, onion and large flat mushrooms added for the last hour - reduce the juices for a delicious gravy.

I then steamed some carrots, green beans and savoy cabbage for the beef to sit on.

Top tip: I used shop bought Dauphinoise potatoes, packed them tightly into a small square baking tin and cut into squares once cooked. They looked home made, tasted fantastic and saved me a lot of time!

How about ending the meal with this giant 12 inch cookie? It is available from the 8th of June for £5, and can be personalised in store for free.




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Give him his favourite beer in a clever new glass?


Qwerkity have some fabulous Fathers Day gifts like this Freeze Glass. 


The glass is clear, it is filled with juice
here for demonstration.

My Dad has been in the doghouse so many times for leaving a bottle of beer in the freezer until it explodes. He loves his alcoholic ginger beer as cold as it can be but doesn't like to "water it down" with ice-cubes - Men! 

This Fathers Day I have solved this problem with this Freeze Glass. Simply pop it in the freezer for 2 hours - this freezes the gel sandwiched between the acrylic. 

Then remove and fill with your favorite drink to keep it nicely chilled for hours. It even has a handy rubber midsection so your hand doesn't get frozen or slip. Priced at £17.99.

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Food & Drink gifts.


Making a "favourite things" hamper.


A few years ago I started to make my Family a small hamper filled their favourite things. This year I have made one for Fathers Day for my Dad. 

I started with his favourite alcoholic tipple - Graham's late bottled vintage port. This port is full of intensely rich red fruity flavours. It is perfect with a strong cheese along side or enjoyed on its own. Priced at round £14 it won't break the bank either.


Or maybe a bottle of Pussers rum?



Did you know?
PUSSER’S is the original Navy Rum as served on board warships of Great Britain’s Royal Navy for more than 350 years from about 1655 to 1970. One of the smoothest, finest and most unique rums in the world. Pusser’s Rum was once enjoyed by British sailors and a huge part of British history. Never sold or offered to the public until 1979. Prior to this, if a rum connoisseur managed to obtain a tot or two, it was valued for a very special occasion!

This artisan blend is created in small batches with rums from Guyana and Trinidad to give a rich chestnut mahogany colour with flavours of Demerera brown sugar, molasses and caramel. 

It is also award-winning, claiming two gold and two silver medals at the Spirits Business Rum Masters Awards in both 2012 and 2013.

This Pusser’s 15 Year Aged Rum is available at specialist stores or online at Amazon for £45.

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You could then add his favourite cheese, crackers, chutney and of course some lovely chocolates to finish it off nicely. I highly recommend Lilly O'Brien's this Fathers Day 


I chose the the delicious, best selling desserts collection - you can even have the box personalised for your Dad. Inside the box there are 3 of each delicious flavour - Rasberry Infusion, Bannoffe Pie, Hazelnut Torte, Key Limey Pie, Passion Fruit Posset and Creme Brulee priced at £12.50 a box. 

I also added these dark chocolate stem ginger batons priced at £2.60 as I know he will love them - who wouldn't.

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Or just buy a ready made gift set!



Godminster Cider,  Cheddar & Chutney gift set - £23.95.





  • Contains:
  • Godminster's 200g Vintage Organic Cheddar truckle
  • Godminster's Beetroot & Apple Chutney in a classic reusable Kilner Jar
  • Perry Cider’s Grey Heron Cider (50cl, 5.5% ABV)
You can even add a free personalised message.


There have been people living and working at Godminster for over 5 centuries, with records showing it has been a dairy farm for over 100 years. Bringing tradition delicious cheese and other treats up to date, Godminster were even certified Organic in 1999 so it is fair to say they know their stuff and are old hands at producing delicious food and drinks. 

Bursting with flavour,  this new gift pack combines two classic Godminster tastes with a specially selected Single Orchard sweet Cider pressed from a blend of the very best Redstreak and Dabinett apples grown just five minutes from the farm.

Check here for your nearest stockist or if you are near Somerset, why not call into the farm in Bruton to see the full range of products

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New Dad?


I can personally recommend this Beanies stash box of coffee to get him through those early days with very little sleep.



Not only does the stash box make a fantastic gift, it contains 9 yummy flavours of coffee - Ginger Bread, Double Chocolate, Chocolate orange, Cinnamon Hazelnut, Irish Cream, Very Vanilla, Amaretto Almond, Cinder toffee and Nutty Hazelnut. We all know how newborns love to sleep, so it is a very practical gift too. I can tell you the smell was amazing when we opened the box

It is priced at just £22.50 (including delivery) which works out at a measly £2.50 per jar! Trying to find a cup for that price can be a challenge never mind 9 jars!




I usually have one sugar in my coffee but haven't needed any with these as the flavours are so lovely despite the coffee being sugar free and less than 2 calories per serving! I am about to order the Cinnamon Hazelnut in copious amounts. 


Suitable for vegetarians and Vegans.


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How about a personalised mug for that special first Fathers Day? 


I ordered this lovely China one from www.borngifted.co.uk to mark my Dads first Fathers Day as a Grandad.


Isn't it lovely? It's so nice for him to have a quality keepsake. 

The quality of the mug is brilliant, the writing is crisp and clear and it is a good weight too. The text "Worlds best" cannot be altered but the rest is up to you, perfect if you use an unusual name like Papa or Grandpa as these can be very difficult to find. It also comes with 5 chocolates for a sweet treat with his next cuppa. 

The best bit? It is priced at just £9.99! A fantastic gift idea.

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Create him an outfit.



James Pringle at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill.


James Pringle is a Scottish brand that goes as far back as 1789! Having been in business that long I think you can believe me when I tell you what great quality the outfit we chose for Livs Daddy is.

This 100 % cotton check short sleeved shirt is available in 2 colours and sizes Small to XXL. It can is perfect for casual wear and will help to keep him cool in the warm weather on holiday.
Machine washable at 30 degrees.   
Price: currently reduced from £22 to £17.





The Chino shorts are available in blue, black & cream, these shorts can be bought is waist size from 30 inches to 48 inches. Made from 100% cotton and fitted with an elasticated waistband for comfort. Paired with the short sleeve shirt, these will give a classic Summer look and keep him feeling cool and comfortable.
Machine washable at 30 degrees.  
Price: currently reduced from £23 to £18.

The quality and craftsmanship on both of these articles of clothing are fantastic and we would not hesitate to order from them again.

Sign up to the receive their newsletter via email and receive a 10% off code straight to your inbox - exclusions apply.


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Liv has chosen these new Vans OTW to complete the look for her Daddy.



Even though he is almost 40, he can still pull off the famous skate brand. It's hard to believe the collection which is inspired by a few select pro skateboarders has only been around since 2010. Almost everyone I know owns a pair including myself! They are very comfortable and versatile, allowing them to be worn by teenagers and us oldies alike!


Known for their quality, these have a canvas upper which means they will wipe clean easily. They arrived ready laced up dark blue laces in the metal eyelets, but also came with a pair of white laces at no extra cost. They were also a bargain as they were reduced from £55 to £22 in the Fat Buddha sale.



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Looking for something more smart?


Check out these stylish Clarks Kalden Edge brown leather shoes.





These brown leather brogues are a very smart lace up dress shoe with a difference. With a decorative punched trim around the ankle and on the toe, they stand apart from other plain dress shoes. My Husband was very impressed with the molded insole, which added extra comfort and support, while helping prevent his foot slipping inside.



Another aspect he was impressed with, is the rubber, textured sole. All of the other dress shoes he owns, have a very flat shiny sole which can cause issues when worn on shiny surfaces like dance floors, the grips under these would prevent that while not taking away from the look of the shoes itself. 

We are big Clarks fans in our house as C & J Clarks limited have been shoemakers since 1825 we know not only will the fit will be perfect, but the durability and quality are always fantastic too. Of course it is very important to get your feet measured before buying and it is always best to go shoe shopping at the end of the day when your feet are at their biggest from swelling during the day.

Livs Daddy loves these shoes as they are comfortable to wear, even after a long day on his feet in work they don't rub or squash his feet like some less quality shoes will.


Available in sizes 6 to 13, and in a standard or wide fit. Priced at £55. 

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Change the way he shaves.


With the Remington smart edge pro XF8700.


My Husband has long been a blade man. He has very thick, dark stubble and always has a shadow no matter how smooth his face feels. He did try an electric shave a few years ago but wasn't a fan as it tended to tug and cause irritation from repeatedly going over the same areas to get a smooth shave.

He was more than a little dubious about trying one again and assured me it wouldn't give him a close enough shave. Having read about the Remington smart edge pro XF8700, we decided to give it a try.


Boy is he glad we did! His razor is gathering dust in the bathroom, cast aside in favour of an electric shaver - I must admit I never though I would see the day!



This shaver is different to the others he has tried due to its flex and pivot 19 degree angled head, which follows the contours of his face allowing a very close shave with just one stroke. This eliminates irritation caused from repeatedly going over same area to remove all of the stubble. It doesn't pull or snag either thanks to the innovative multi directional, lift logic foil technology means that the hairs are gently lifted and guided directly into the blades from all directions.




What's in the box:
  • Shaver - with pop up precision trimmer on the reverse,
  • Charger base/travel lock,
  • Travel pouch,
  • Dual ended cleaning brush,
  • A cover for the head,
  • Power cable.

Powered by a lithium battery, this shaver provides the user with up to 60 minutes usage from a 90 minute charge. The usage time remaining is clearly displayed on the LED screen on under the power button. In a hurry? Don't worry there is also a 5 minute quick charge option.



The charger base can also be turned into a travel lock so that the shaver cannot accidentally be switched on. It is also cordless and 100% waterproof, allowing it to be used in the shower if you wish.

This shaver is currently reduced from £149.99 to £74.99.

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Can't be parted from his Razor?


Introduce him to the The Real Shaving Company and their 3 step system.

A pioneer in male grooming since 1953 and creating the original 3 step system, The Real Shaving Company have won several awards for their shaving products. 



Step 1 - pre-shave. 
Choose one of the following:
  • Daily facial scrub
  • Exfoliating facial scrub
  • Hot Towel mask
  • Face wash






Step 2 - shave. 
Choose one of the following:
  • Sensitive shave cream
  • Shaving gel
  • Shaving oil
  • Shave tonic


Step 3 - post shave. 
Choose one of the following:
  • Moisturiser 
  • Soothing balm

All products are free from Parabens, SLS & SLES , instead using natural and organic ingredients.




Livs Daddy has really enjoyed trying the 3 step system and has a much softer face as a result! We will definitely be keeping a stock of these for future use.

RRP £3.99 - £4.99 each. Available from Boots, Waitrose and Sainsbury's.


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Is he a gadget Man?


I recommend this Samsung BD-F5100/XU Blu-ray Player.


If your Dad is a movie lover like mine, have you thought about getting him this Samsung BD-F5100/XU Blu-ray player this Fathers Day?

He will be able to watch his DVD's in near HD quality thanks to the upscaler, although I am sure your Dad will want to start upgrading his favourites to Blu-rays once he sees the picture quality! With an inbuilt USB port, simply plug and play any films you have saved on memory stick. If he is known for losing the remote control - don't worry! There are handy touch controls on the machine itself as back up.




I still can't quite believe how amazing this little machine is! The dimensions are 193mm Deep, 270mm Wide, 38mm High. To give you a visual reference, I have popped an average size hard back book on top in tye above images to show you just how compact it really is. This really could fit anywhere, even a caravan.

You can even use catch up on BBC iPlayer or watch YouTube using the smart capabilities. It couldn't be easier, just connect this stylish, compact Samsung Blu-Ray player to your router using an Ethernet cable (not provided)

As if that wasn't enough, the system also boasts the world’s fastest boot-up time, instead of the usual 10 seconds, you can start this Blu-ray player in just 0.5 seconds!


Samsungs AllShare also allows you to stream content any compatible tablets, smartphones, cameras and laptops, what more could you ask for?


Please note - your television must be HDMI ready to install this Blu-ray as it requires a HDMI cable for connection - NOT INCLUDED.

Available from AO.com for just £49.

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DIY Gadget?


How about this Dremel 8200 Multitool?



This Dremel 8200-20 cordless multitool is the only cordless multitool kit your Dad will need for all of his projects. Weighing just 0.600kg and measuring 24cm it is the perfect size cordless too. Along with the ability to fast charge the Lithium-Ion battery in just 30 minutes, this tool ensures maximum performance and means he always has the solution to hand when tough jobs crop up - no more excuses!




What's in the box:
• Soft, zipped storage bag,
• Soft grip Dremel 8200 tool,
• 10.8V 2.0 Ah Li-Ion Battery pack,
• Rapid charger,
•20 high quality Dremel accessories,
• Detail grip.

Featuring 20 genuine Dremel accessories for a range of jobs - including cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing to mention but a few, they accessories are very quick to change thanks to the Dremel EZ SpeedClic 



Boasting a high power 36mm electric motor, a sliding speed switch providing full variable speed control up to 30,000 RPM, a motor brake to ensure that the accessory stops spinning immediately after switching off for extra safety, a 3 LED battery gauge to show accurate battery status, a separate on/off switch with collet lock-out function to ensure no accidental actuation of the collet lock.


Not sure which tool he would like? Ask him to make use of the newly launched "Dremel Wish List" feature, this allows him to collate a list of products he would like and email them to you, leaving you to decide which one to buy. You never know, you may even be able to tick his Birthday and Christmas gift off your list too!


I have managed to find this tool for sale here for just £96.

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Nothing suitable in this gift guide? Never fear, My Voucher Codes have created a fun "Which Fathers Day Gift should you buy?" quiz to help you find the perfect gift.  I got Modern Dad and though "Really?" but all of the 4 gifts suggested fitted my Dad perfectly. Happy shopping!