Father's Day gifts in South Africa have a formula and most of us know it by heart. Biltong, a coffee mug, and maybe a pair of socks. But dads come in all shapes and interests and their gifts should, too. Here are 10 ideas that go a little further than the usual suspects.

1. For the dad on the go

For the dad who's up before the sun and still going long after it sets, a Stanley travel mug is the kind of gift that works as hard as he does. It keeps coffee hot in winter and cold drinks cool in summer and holds a decent amount of liquid without weighing him down. At 33% lighter than Stanley's standard stainless-steel cup, it's easy to carry, whether he's heading out for an early morning hike or a long day on the road.
R829

2. The home chef

If you're looking for gifts for dads who cook, a cast-iron smashburger press is a gift he'll reach for time and time again. It's not just for burgers, he can use it to flatten potato röstis, crisp up bacon, or get a perfect sear on a steak. Follow Clem Pedro's mouthwatering onion smashburger recipe to make mouthwatering smashburgers at home. R229

3. The braai master

Anyone who’s ever had foil tear mid-braai or reached for the roll of foil only to find it's finished, knows the frustration. These reusable non-stick braai sheets solve that problem for good. Use them for roasted veg, sosaties, fish or anything else that usually calls for foil. They work just as well on a gas grill as they do over the coals.  R199

For more ideas for the braai master, shop Woolworths’ braai essentials here. 

4.The social sportsman

If your dad is into padel, golf or five-a-side football, you'll know that post-match debriefs call for a cold drink. Enter the Fieldbar Mini Bar, a more compact version of the wildly popular Fieldbar cooler box. It holds up to six bottles of water (or beers), has a four-litre capacity and can keep  drinks below 10°C for up to 24 hours when packed with ice and kept in the shade. It's lightweight enough to carry to the court or the field without any hassle, and compact enough to fit in the boot of the car without taking up much space.  R1 999

5. The coffee lover

Take dad's love for coffee to the next level with a roastery tour and tasting at one of these three venues across the country. They go beyond a regular cup of coffee and give him a chance to learn about the craft behind his favourite brew.

Western Cape
Treat him to a hands-on brewing experience where you and dad can both learn to pull the perfect espresso shot, froth milk like a barista, and explore alternative brewing methods at the Bootlegger in Ndabeni, Cape Town.
Price: R400 pp

Gauteng
Learn about the coffee process from crop to cup, enjoy a coffee-tasting, and sample some home-brewing techniques at Bean There roastery at 44 Stanley in Johannesburg.
R275 pp

KZN
Explore an expansive coffee estate as you learn about what goes into brewing dad’s favourite cuppa, then enjoy bottomless Beaver Creek Coffee at the Beaver Creek Estate in Port Edward.
R90 pp

6. The style-conscious dad

Keep dad warm through winter in style with an understated but elegant pullover made of 100% Merino wool. Merino is temperature regulating, soft against the skin and doesn't itch like regular wool. It’s ideal for layering on colder days or for wearing on its own in between seasons. The classic crew neck works just as well dressed up with chinos or dressed down in jeans on the weekend.
R799

7. The ultimate host

For the dad who loves to entertain, skip the single gift and put together a handy DIY hamper made up of hosting essentials instead. A set of whisky glasses, a trendy ribbed acrylic ice bucket with tongs, and a set of leather-look coasters are all you need to put together a gift that looks like you put real thought into it. Bundle them in a basket or a brown paper bag with some tissue paper and you have a gift that's ready to go.
R59.95–R299

8. The well-groomed dad

For the dad who likes to smell good, Burberry Hero eau de toilette is a solid upgrade from the usual Father's Day fragrance. Burberry is well known for its quality and craftsmanship, and this scent is no different. It's sophisticated and understated, with just enough presence to turn heads.
R 1 660

9. Gifts for the foodie dad

Food gifts for dad don't have to be limited to biltong and nuts. Gourmet gifts for men who love to cook can include Ottolenghi’s green harissa, a punchy condiment that works as a marinade, a dip, or stirred through a dish for extra flavour. Or treat him to Calabrian mushroom, mascarpone and black truffle creamy sauce, a far more indulgent option than dad’s regular midweek pasta sauce.
R129.99–134.99

A gourmet start to his day

Father’s Day gifts don't have to be expensive to be special. Sometimes the most thoughtful gifts are the ones that take a little time and effort. This Father's Day, treat dad to a gourmet breakfast at home using ingredients you probably already have in your grocery cupboard. From twice-baked breakfast potatoes and Turkish-style eggs with salmon, to a classic eggs Benedict, this ultimate guide to egg recipes has everything you need to pull off an impressive spread without leaving the house.