Father’s Day
A Father’s Day Gift Guide Inspired by My Dad
He was cool 😎
My dad’s birthday falls six days before Father’s Day this year.
Six days apart.
And this year, both arrive without him.
I spent the last few weeks wondering what to write. What to say…
How to acknowledge a day that feels impossible to ignore while simultaneously wishing I could skip it altogether.
Then I realized something.
The best way to honor my father is to alway remember who he was.
The things he loved.
The hobbies he took seriously.
The rituals that made him, him.
For the Gardening Guy
Again, my dad loved being outside.
Not in the “let’s hike seven miles through the woods” kind of way.
In the “let me spend three hours planting flowers and then stand back admiring them while complaining about the back pain” kind of way.
He found peace with his hands in the dirt.
A freshly watered garden.
A flower bed coming together.
All before eleven in the morning so my mother wasn’t scolding him to come in and get out of the heat.
Gift Ideas
The Sill Plant Subscription
For the dad whose idea of relaxation involved watering plants every morning.
A quality set of hand tools is something every garden appreciates but rarely splurges on for themselves.
Perfect for growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers without turning the entire backyard into a gardening project.
I’ve seen cardinals often since his passing. Now, I’m an active bird watcher.
A meaningful keepsake and something I’m still keeping an eye out for. I’m still trying to find the most perfect for one my dad.
Once dad was finished outside, he would swan dive into the pool, taking a few laps to cool off before letting the sun to hit him. My parents have rocking Adirondack chairs on their lanai.
The ‘Tool-Man Taylor’ Type
Oh did my old man think he could fix things.
Anything.
And he did for the most part. Was it the right way?
Not usually.
Did under the kitchen sink have more pipes under it than the NYC railroad system?
Yea… something like that.
But boy did he try. I knew if I needed something fixed he was the one to call. When I moved back to Florida in ‘23 for a short but sweet stint, he was the one who helped me fix my bedroom and make it my own. No questions asked. Painted the walls dark green and black with no hesitation.
He was the best.
Gift Ideas
My dad might’ve not known what he was doing all the time, however he certainly did try.
For the Chill Dad
My dad appreciated the finer things in life.
Good music.
Good food.
A comfortable chair.
And a little herbal assistance from Mother Nature herself.
Who doesn’t??
We called one another on FaceTime, multiple times a day to have our “meetings” to which are essentially talking shit about the day, laughing at something absolutely ridiculous that my mother would side-eye us both, like please shut the fuck up, and then I’d tell him to have a great day.
And we’d do it all again, a few hours later.
GIFT IDEAS
The Game Night Guy
My dad loved his garden.
He loved his sports.
He loved fixing things around the house.
But most of all?
He LOVED having his people around him.
Whether it was around the dinner table, during the holidays, or a randomFriday night, he believed the best memories were made together.
And if there happened to be a vicious game of Jimenez Rummy involved — with nine people and two decks of cards.
Even better.
It was never peaceful.
There was trash talking.
My kid cheating.
Questionable rule interpretations.
Someone threatening to quite mid game.
And my father laughing through it all.
He genuinely enjoyed the chaos more than the game itself.
Those nights were never about winning.
They were about being together.
And I think he’d tell us that’s what mattered most of all.
Gift Ideas
Scrabble - my parents played this game all the time
The FANATIC
He was the ultimate sports fan.
My dad lived for the New York Yankees and Knicks.
He sat down and would settle in nightly watching every game that was broadcasted.
When the Knicks won this past Saturday, my mind instantly went to 1997 and listening to him bitch about “Reggie F***cking Miller” incessantly.
Spoken with the frustration only a loyal Knicks fan could understand.
Oh the memories.
And although he wasn’t downstairs in his normal spot in the family room cheering on their win. I know for sure he was celebrating in his own way, with the ones he hasn’t seen in a very long time.
Gift Ideas
2026 Topps Series 1 Baseball Cards - Dad has over ten thousand sports cards. Mostly baseball.
Men’s NY Yankees Best Dad Ever T-Shirt - because he truly was the BEST DAD EVER.
This Father's Day, if your dad is still here, call him.
Ask him a question you've never asked before.
Listen to a story you've already heard.
Take the photo.
Record the video.
Stay a little longer.
The tools eventually break.
The flowers stop blooming.
The Knicks will inevitably stress everyone out again.
But the memories?
Those are the gifts that stay.
Forever.
I MISS YOU, POP
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Hi, I'm E. Lynn. Daughter, mother of five, and storyteller behind The Hollow Quill. Through recipes, memories, and life's bittersweet moments, I write about love, family, and honoring the people who shaped us. This Father's Day, I'm celebrating the things my dad loved most—and the memories that remain.
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For the dads who bloom wherever they're planted. 🌱 Happy Father's Day. 💙
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| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width, in | 18.25 | 20.25 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 27.75 | 29.75 |
| Length, in | 26.62 | 28.00 | 29.37 | 30.75 | 31.62 | 32.50 | 33.50 |
| Sleeve length from center back, in | 16.25 | 17.75 | 19.00 | 20.50 | 21.75 | 23.25 | 24.63 |
| Size tolerance, in | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
Introducing our stylish Unisex Garment-Dyed T-shirt, perfect for coffee lovers! This tee exudes a relaxed yet trendy vibe, making it an ideal addition to your casual wardrobe. Crafted from 100% ring-spun US cotton, it offers unrivaled comfort while ensuring durability. With its unique garment-dyed look, each shirt features a soft color and texture that feels as good as it looks. This versatile t-shirt can effortlessly elevate your everyday outfit or serve as a fun conversation starter during gatherings with friends. Perfect for coffee enthusiasts, this shirt makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or ‘just because’ moments. Celebrate your love for coffee in style!
Product features
- Available in sizes S to 4XL for a perfect fit.
- Double-needle stitching enhances durability.
- Seamless design reduces fabric waste.
- Garment-dyed for a unique, soft texture.
- Made from 100% pre-shrunk ring-spun US cotton.
Care instructions
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
- Do not bleach
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Do not dryclean
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Comfort Colors® 1717, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
Warnings, Hazard: Made in Honduras
Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), Do not bleach, Tumble dry: low heat, Iron, steam or dry: low heat, Do not dryclean
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