Madeleine Gaskin
Club correspondent
May 2024
Ten top gifts for the travel-mad dad
You still have a couple of weeks until Father’s Day, so now’s the time to get a gift in the bag. For the dads out there who have never shaken off the travel bug, we’ve rounded up ten gifts that’ll get you kudos, and maybe some Avios, along the way…
To collect Avios on online purchases, make sure to shop via the British Airways shopping platform
For the big kid
What dad wouldn’t want to build their own LEGO replica of the world’s most famous supersonic commercial passenger aeroplane? Not any we know. With 2,083 pieces in total, this model of Concorde is just about as detailed as you can get: functioning landing gear, a retractable tail bumper wheel, delta wings with movable elevons, hinged upper and lower rudders and a nose that does, in fact, droop. Sitting pretty at 40 inches long, this desk-worthy model comes complete with a handsome plaque.
For the sophisticate
We couldn’t dream up a classier present for the always-on-the-go dad – a bag that means business from the luxury leather specialists at Carl Friedrik. We love the Palissy Double, part of a new, limited edition ‘Midnight Green’ colourway. This timeless briefcase is made from Tuscan vachetta leather, with a padded laptop sleeve and two zip compartments. It can clip on to suitcases with a handy ‘Smart Holder’ and its metal feet mean no scuffs when the bag is placed down. Pray the new colour hangs around until Christmas, when you can add the Palissy Weekend Bag in the same green to your pa’s collection.
For the outdoor warrior
Any camper worth their salt is surely ready to embrace open-fire cooking – a massive step up from flimsy portable BBQs. Cooking on Fire has everything the chef needs to know about rustling up a smoky feast, from building and igniting to techniques and equipment. And, of course, it’s full of belly-warming fire-cooked recipes, so it offers the perfect way to experience classic dad fodder – think, chilli con carne – in a whole new light, while savouring family moments in the great outdoors.
For the beer aficionado
If your old man loves authentic-tasting draft beer and finds cans lacking, he can finally play publican in his own home with the Fizzics Draft Pour Home Beer Tap. Powered by USB or batteries, the tap uses patented micro-foam technology to enhance the flavour, aroma and mouth-feel of your favourite brew from a can or bottle and, of course, provides that all-important foamy head on pint after pint. It’s also portable, so he can quaff pub-quality beer on all manner of days out.
For the individualist
Every dad could do with a few more pairs of great quality socks. This year, go for the best of the best, upgrading his sock drawer with the Simply Sartorial Collection from the London Sock Company. Finely knitted and hand finished, these socks aren’t your average supermarket swipe – they’re top quality and big on style. Each of the 15 pairs are made with super-soft Scottish lisle cotton and come in a selection of bold tones, perfect for bringing a pop of colour and conversation to even the plainest of outfits. Just wait – your dad will be the talk of the town before he knows it.
For the security conscious
If your father is often on faraway trips, he can amp up his peace of mind with a doorbell cam at home. Ring’s Battery Video Doorbell Pro has HD video, colour night vision and 3D motion detection. The set-up is easy – simply charge it, connect it, mount it and it’s all good to go. He’ll get notifications when something is near the door, and he can save footage to his device should he need to. It also has two-way talk audio, so he can talk to visitors wherever he is in the world.
For the AV geek
Does your dad’s man cave have some, ahem, questionable art? Treat him to a tasteful new wall decoration that he can pore over and daydream about. This collectable vintage cross-section of an Imperial Airways Empire flying boat from 1937 is sold by The Map House, which holds a vast stock of more than 10,000 different authentic maps and has more than a century of expertise. Dad can learn the ins and outs of this classic aircraft and show off his aviation smarts to fellow enthusiasts. Brownie points all round.
For the everyman
Not only is Accurist’s Dive men’s watch water resistant to 200m and fortified by ultra-scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, but it’s a faff-free timepiece for dads who like to be adventurous by day and look sharp by night, thanks to two interchangeable straps. There’s navy tropical rubber for exploring and diving, and a solid stainless-steel bracelet for more elegant occasions. Eminently stylish, the watch is inspired by Accurist’s 75-year British heritage, with chronograph timing, uni-directional bezels and luminous hands and markers.
For the smooth operator
Revamp your dapper dad’s wash bag with this elegant Winston Set from the shaving experts at Harry’s. Its luxurious contents include foaming shave gel, three German-engineered blade cartridges (each with a flex hinge and lubricating strip) and a travel cover to protect the blades when he’s on the move. The razor’s iconic Winston handle is made from die-cast zinc and polished chrome for a handsome finish. The best part? You can personalise your gift by having the handle engraved.
For the music fanatic
This dad can bring the tunes wherever he goes thanks to the Sony XV800 X-Series wireless party speaker, which produces a deep, powerful bass that carries sound to every corner of the room. It comes with a karaoke input (plug in a mic, choose a song and let rip!) and a guitar input so it can be used as an amp – indoors or out. With handles, wheels and water resistance, it’s the perfect portable, powerful surround sound. (We’re sure the neighbours will agree.)
This article has been tagged AV FUN, Technology