Contribution from Adele Brunner
Father’s Day is on the horizon (Sunday, 19 June to be precise) and much though we love them, dads are notoriously difficult to buy gifts for. Most of them seem to have everything, and certain things on their wish lists, such as a Maserati, Jessica Alba, and the Lego Millennium Falcon, might be out of most people’s reach. They still appreciate a thought though and while there’s nothing wrong with big-name brands, if you’re still lost on gifts for dad, we’ve gone the local route and come up with some novel ideas for Father’s Day presents that will support local Hong Kong businesses, too.
HK Chess
Combining their passion for board games with their love for their adopted home, the three founders of HK Chess came up with the unique Play The City Chessboard, which will inspire conversation as well as competition. Each piece represents an iconic aspect of Hong Kong: for example, the pawns are different trig points; the queens are in the shape of the HSBC Building; and the kings are I.M. Pei’s Bank of China Building. Made out of handcrafted ash wood with an oil finish, the board comes engraved with a Hong Kong map. From HK$1,988 for a 50cm x 50cm board, 32 pieces, and 60-page art book with insider secrets about the six featured landmarks.
Find them: Online store
Joint Dynamics
Whether they are reliving their glory days on the football pitch or pushing themselves at boot camp, dads might think they are superheroes but are as prone to aches and pains as the rest of us. Physiotherapists Joint Dynamics have come up with a Father’s Day Special (HK$1,288) that is sure to be a long-lasting Father’s Day gift. The package includes a one-hour sports or massage therapy session; a selection of essential skincare products from Australian brand Premax, which was developed by physical therapists for athletes; a Joint Dynamics resistance band; and a bonus item.
Find them: Website
Jude Bailey Design
Dads can never have too many pairs of cufflinks. This smart and stylish pair from jewellery designer Jude Bailey is a subtle reference to the place most of us call home. They come in silver with rhodium plating (to stop the silver tarnishing) and have a small cubic zirconium in each one for a bit of sparkle (HK$1,980). Reach out to them directly on WhatsApp if you think your dad would like some.
Find them: WhatsApp +852 9748 4567 (Mindy Tagliente)
Luscious Picnics
The sun is shining, the beaches are open… what better way to celebrate Father’s Day than an al fresco picnic? Discovery Bay-based Luscious Picnics has a range of themed packages, which include a picnic table and linen, blankets and cushions, fairy lights and table decor and a floral centrepiece plus all sorts of add-ons such as sunshades, Champagne, platters of fruit, charcuterie, cupcakes, and personalised touches. Book your date and location, then choose your package online, and the company will deliver and set up your Father’s Day present.
Find them: Facebook and Instagram
MikaRouge (50% off with promo code BESTDADHK)
The sleek Emiliano business bag from local brand MikaRouge is great for dads on the go. Crafted from vintage brown leather that gets better with age, it has compartments galore, interior pockets in various sizes, and space for documents and a laptop. Although the bags usually retail at HK$2,800, Mika Rouge is giving The HK HUB readers a 50% Father’s Day discount. Enter gift code “BESTDADHK” before you buy.
Find them: Online store
MiliMilu
Why not get practical gifts for dad? Local fashion brand MiliMilu (which means “LoveLove” in Latvian) offers sustainable and ethically made clothing for all the family. As a Father’s Day special, the company has come up with a range of organic cotton tees for dads (HK$340), with matching mini versions for kids (HK$230) and babies (HK$220). Why should mums have all the dressing-up fun?
Find them: Online store
Myteyehk
Passionate collector of locally made, vintage Hong Kong memorabilia dating pre-Handover, Tarlan Amigh regularly sells her treasures on her Instagram page MyTEyeHK. All sorts of quirky curios come up that would be perfect for dads, such as rare books about Hong Kong dating back to the 60s and 70s, ceramic dragons, and vintage patches. Be quick as her treasures are one of a kind and tend to get snapped up, but she can also source a specific gift for dad on request.
Find them: myteyehk and hongkongmadethis on Instagram
Paper-Roses
Paper-Roses’ founder and creative director Penny Creedon has a great selection of beautifully illustrated Hong Kong-themed cards, gifts, and goodies that are perfect for presents for dad. Organic cotton face masks featuring the Hong Kong skyline or the Star Ferry (HK$140 each) and public transport ceramic coasters (HK$180 for a set of three) are just some of the affordable options available.
Find them: Online store
Rockit ($100 off for first-timers with code ROCKIT100)
Sporty dads – or those aspiring to become sporty dads – might enjoy a session or two with one of Rockit’s freelance instructors. All you do is download the app, choose a sport – anything from golf to squash to wakeboarding – and connect with the instructor of your choice. You can try something new, brush up your fitness, or improve your game to suit your schedule without having to commit to regular sessions. Equipment and location are provided, and the app makes everything easy including scheduling and payment (from HK$350 per hour). First-time bookers get HK$100 off until the end of the year. Use the code “ROCKIT100” when you book.
Find there: Website
Style Standard (10% off with promo code HKHUB10)
Style Standard is all about giving men the tools they need to pull off a polished look without it taking too much time or effort. The meticulously curated site has everything from bow ties to shaving cream, making it a good one-stop shop for Father’s Day gift ideas. The Hong Kong-based business is offering readers of The HK HUB a 10% discount until the end of June (because they know how many last-minute gifts turn into late ones). Enter “HKHUB10” at checkout.
Find them: Online store
Sundara Collections
Whether your dad likes a beer on the beach or can’t function without a daily cappuccino, Sundara Collections’ insulated bottles and tumblers make great little Father’s Day presents without breaking the bank. The eco-friendly containers can be customised with names, messages, simple images, and Chinese characters, with the various options starting from HK$129. The 12oz ‘Best Dad’ tumbler in black with metallic blue can also be customised with your own message to make a sweet gift for dad.
Find them: Online store
Svim
Summer’s here so help your dad get beach ready with some fun and eye-catching swimwear. Svim has a fabulous collection of colourful printed swim shorts, which are all about giving the wearer (and anyone who sees them) joy. But they don’t just look good. The comfy mid-length shorts (HK$460) are planet-friendly and made of recycled polyester, created from 10 plastic bottles. (Your order will even come in water-soluble packaging in a Kraft box.) They are also lightweight and fast drying with a mesh lining, pockets and an elasticated waist with drawstring. Also available are swim briefs (HK$320), microfibre, sand-proof towels (HK$190), and Earth Warrior or Sea God beach caps made from soft organic cotton (HK$180).
Find them: Online store
Yulia Shautsukova Art
Hong Kong-based professional artist Yulia Shautsukova paints typical Hong Kong scenes so realistically that many of her pieces look almost like photos. Working in watercolours on paper or oils on canvas, she depicts urban life and iconic images. Think street markets, the Star Ferry, traditional junks and our fabulous skyline. HK$2,200 for a 13x17cm artwork in a 23x32cm frame.
Find them: Facebook and Instagram
Originally from London, England, Adele has lived and worked in Hong Kong as a journalist/editor for more than two decades. She was a full-time staff reporter at the South China Morning Post for six years and continues to contribute to the Sunday Post Magazine’s Design pages as well as copywrite for private clients. When she isn’t writing, Adele enjoys wild swimming expeditions in the New Territories, trying (usually unsuccessfully) to play golf and is an unpaid Uber driver to her three sporty teenagers.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.
Header image credits: rimmabondarenko via Canva
