A ROUND of golf, a bottle of whisky, another leather-embossed something-or-other—we’ve all given or received these default Father’s Day gifts. And while there’s nothing exactly wrong with any of them, sometimes a dad wants a little variety.
So why not change it up this year by stealing a page from the Mother’s Day playbook, and think self-care? After all, dads deserve “me” time, too, and not just the type centered around watching the game. Here are some ways to pamper yourself or a loved one—or both—on that glorious June Sunday.
1. Give Your Muscles a Massage
Everyone knows dads like gadgets, and who doesn’t like a good massage? A handheld percussion massager is perfect not only as a Father’s Day gift, but also as a means of spoiling yourself on your day. Aside from delivering a feel-good experience, massage guns provide legit health benefits, including pain relief, quicker athletic-recovery times, and improved muscle strength and flexibility. They’re convenient, compact, and in the long run a heck of a lot cheaper than regular on-site massages.
Our pick is Theragun, which has devices in a variety of sizes and price points, starting with the popular and portable Theragun Mini.
2. Get a Wax
Smooth skin is something we all deserve, and waxing is more beneficial and less painful and intimidating than you may believe. It’s gentler on the skin than shaving; eliminates the chance of razor burn, nicks, and bumps; and helps prevent ingrown hairs. Another perk: According to the experts at European Wax Center, when you wax consistently, the hair grows back more slowly, giving you a clean-shaven look and feel that lasts weeks, not days. And it can even help keep you feeling fresh, since thick facial and body hair can trap sweat and odor, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
Wherever there’s excess hair on your body, European Wax Center can take care of it: chest, stomach, back, limbs, even a “Brazilian P” catering to the nether regions. The specialists are pros at making the experience pleasant—for one thing, they use a proprietary Comfort Wax® that adheres only to hair, never skin. They also incorporate pre- and post-wax skincare to ensure the treated area is protected and soothed. So what starts as a Father’s Day grooming treat could quickly become part of your regular routine.
Grab a gift card for a dad in your life at one of European Wax Center’s over 850 locations and enhance the package with a product or two from the brand’s body-care line. We suggest the easy-to-use EWC Treat Ingrown Hair Serum or Mist that help keep skin bump-free between waxing appointments or other forms of hair removal.
EWC Treat Ingrown Hair Serum
EWC Treat Ingrown Hair Mist
3. Meditate
All the physical self-care in the world won’t mean much if your mind isn’t right. Career, relationship, money, and family stress can create a never-ending internal dialogue. Fortunately, there’s a proven, age-old method to help calm your racing mind that also happens to be both inexpensive and convenient: meditation. For active guys who rarely slow down, carving out a little time to practice mindfulness—anywhere from just 3 to 20 minutes can have an impact—will feel like a true indulgence.
But sitting quietly and clearing the head doesn’t come naturally to many of us, so a guided-meditation app is a good way to get started. Headspace is one of the leading options, with programs catering to worries including parenting, financial stress, and sleep. Gift your dad—and yourself—a Headspace subscription.
