Father's Dad Gift Ideas for the Hippie-Dad

Father's Day is one day out of the year when dads are allowed, if not encouraged to indulge in their favorite habits, hobbies and appetites. We celebrate our fathers with common gifts such as cologne, ties, sporting goods, tools or food. All are practical and thoughtful. The Hippie-dad is no exception to this common gift trend, but he is a down-to-earth guy who isn't impressed with fancy clothes, expensive colognes, colorful athletic equipment or large tools. The Hippie-dad is more into his connection with his children celebrated through their choosing of a gift represents their appreciation for him rather than the gift itself. The Hippie-dad is an eco-friendly father, so consider your carbon footprint before venturing out to shop for his gift. Consider shopping online rather than driving or taking mass transit. Online shopping will minimize your carbon footprint, save you time, and you'll actually have more options for his gift!

If you truly want an eco-friendly gift, buy handmade or vintage goods. Since the Hippie-dad seeks a natural balance, he sees the world through compassionate eyes and wouldn't want his fellow human to suffer for his gain. Buying handmade goods pretty much guarantees no "sweatshop" conditions were included in their creation. And I've found the best place to find original, handmade items online is Etsy.com. Now that we've decided to stay as eco-friendly as possible, let's check out our alternatives for the 5 most common Father's Day gifts.

First, a Hippie-dad's scent is part of his balance. Patchouli is an obvious choice for this one. It is synonymous with his hippie culture and is a peaceful, soothing scent. This year, give your Hippie-dad some handmade, eco-friendly Patchouli Soap. The soap will cover all his balance needs physically and mentally, as well as keep him connected to his cultural roots. PixieSoap.etsy.com is stocked with Patchouli Soap at an inexpensive $4.00 a bar, plus shipping. It's handmade, eco-friendly, vegan-friendly, and can be custom ordered.