How to celebrate Father’s Day in lockdown

38 ways to celebrate Father's Day in lockdown in 2020

For the foodie

Restaurant at home

You might not be able to shout him dinner at his favourite restaurant, but you can shout him a ready-made meal delivered to his door. Providoor, a restaurant delivery platform founded by Maha chef Shane Delia during lockdown, is helping keep hungry Melburnians well fed with chef-prepared meals from A-list eateries including Flower Drum, Movida, Estelle, Supernormal and Tipo 00. Pick something you know your dad will love and all he’ll have to do is reheat, plate up and enjoy. 

Pizza the action

If dad is a crust connoisseur, treat him to a woodfired pizza delivery from Tremila. They offer a range of ready-made and partially cooked pizzas, all you need to do is throw them in the oven for a few minutes et voila, you’ve got restaurant-quality woodfired wonders at home. Has he got a sweet tooth? Throw in a DIY cannoli kit, too. 

Tong master

For the ultimate grillfather, help him look the part with a BBQ shirt from The Awesome Ugly Co. With everything from Bacon and Bin Chicken to Wingman to Winner Winner BBQ shirts, your dad will love firing up the barbie in his best Aussie-inspired attire. 

Cookie cutter

Send him a sweet reminder with a cookie delivery from Sweet Mickie. Choose from Happy Father’s Day, Love You Dad or #1 Dad cookies in vanilla shortbread or ginger. Order by August 31 to ensure delivery in time for Father’s Day. 

Say cheese

There's never been a better time to send a cheesy gift. Literally. Whether he's into stinky styles or creamy camemberts, he'll be in fromage heaven with these bitey boxes. Go local with a specialty all-Australian cheese box, or cater to his inner Francophile with a fromage a trois treat. Local cheesemongers including Harper & Blohm, Maker & Monger and Milk the Cow are going home deliveries, or check out online services such as Cheese Therapy.

For the car enthusiast

Repco gift card

Being stuck at home is the ideal time to treat your car to some TLC. So, if your dad enjoys tinkering in the garage, he’ll love being able to splash out on his wheels with a voucher for Repco. RACV members save five per cent on gift cards, which can be redeemed online.

Take it to the car wash

Nothing beats that new car smell, but a detail clean from Star Car Wash comes pretty close. Though services are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, he’ll love having a sparkling car to look forward to once restrictions ease. Members save up to 15 per cent on car cleaning.

For the lover of the latest gadgets

Smart security

Home security has come a long way over the past few years. From video doorbells and keyless entry to wireless security cameras and motion sensors, these days it's easier than ever to keep your home secure. As well as being easy to install, he'll love being able to monitor the home from his phone or to keep an eye on the fur babies while he's at work. Need help installing? Find a qualified tradie through RACV Trades.

For the wine and beer lover 

Top-shelf tipples 

Take your dad on a journey of discovery with a special delivery from Whisky Loot. The three-spirit sampler is a top-shelf idea for the whisky aficiona-dad who loves to explore premium sips from around the world without having to drop hundreds on a bottle. 

Get crafty 

They say variety is the spice of life so, for the brew lover, what better way to spice things up than with a craft beer subscription. He’ll enjoy being able to sip his way through a brewquet of local and international styles. You can even get curated Father’s Day packs. Check out bucketboys.com.au, craftcartel.com.au and beercartel.com.au, or head to your local bottle shop and handpick a selection of brews to send to him.

Happy hour 

Keep spirits high on dad’s day by bringing the bar to him. From espresso martinis to spicy margaritas, negronis and even winter-friendly hot toddies, Cocktail Porter’s home-delivered cocktail kits have a tipple to suit every dad’s tastebuds. All he has to do is shake them up then sit back and sip up. 

DIY bartender 

If he prefers his cocktails already shaken, he’ll love the Everleigh Bottling Co’s classic pre-bottled cocktails. Handcrafted by award-winning mixologists using some of the world’s finest spirits, simply serve and enjoy. Newcomer The Budgie Smuggler is also delivering Australia-wide. Get around The Big Apple, Gringo or a Stolen Gem. If you live under the same roof, make them extra special by prepping some garnishes for him.

Perfect drop 

Give him the grapiest gift of all with a curated wine stash from Good Pair Days. You can tailor the delivery to suit his taste and get personalised recommendations based on his personal preferences. Every box includes tasting notes, food pairing suggestions and even recipes. Stick to his favourite familiar drops, or get adventurous with alternative varieties such as monastrell, nero d’avola or dolcetto. Plus – here’s a sommelier's guide to picking a wine your dad will love. 

Support local 

If you know he has a favourite local bar, bottle shop, winery or distillery, order direct. Send him a cheeky dozen of his favourite drops, a case of his go-to tinnies, a bottle of small-batch gin from his favourite Victorian distillery or a voucher for his local bar or bottle shop.  

Vouch for him 

For the fusspot who has everything, sometimes a gift card is the best option. RACV members save three to five per cent on Woolworths Wish eGift cards – which can be redeemed at Woolies, Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Cellarmasters, Big W and more – so he can spend it when, where and on whatever he likes.  

For the #wfh dad 

Espresso yourself 

Whether he’s working from home or just fancies himself a coffee connoisseur, upgrade his daily rocket fuel with a home coffee machine. From stovetop espresso makers to press-of-a-button pod machines, there’s a coffee caddy to cater to all types of pro-caffeination. Need help choosing the right espresso swag? Here’s our barista's guide to the best home coffee machines. 

Full of beans 

While you’re at it, get him started with some locally roasted beans and, for the dad who’s a little bit fancy, some edible chocolate wafer coffee cups. Because keep cups are so 2019. 

Coffee loaded 

Support local business and nail you dad’s day gift by organising a week or month’s-worth of pre-paid espresso at his go-to coffee apothecary.  

Upgrade his home office 

If he’s the kind of guy who prefers practical, purposeful gifts, some new home-office supplies are sure to tick all the boxes. Whether it’s a second screen he needs, or some new filing cabinets, he’ll love being able to upgrade his workspace. Plus, check out our guide to setting up a home office. 

Listen up 

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re working from home, especially if you’ve got kids or fur babies in tow. Help him focus with a set of wireless, noise-cancelling headphones. As well as being useful for his nine-to-five life, they’ll also come in handy if he wants to listen to music or watch sport. 

Sock it to him 

Just because he’s not in the office, doesn’t mean he should get around with cold feet. Up the ante with some personalised socks. Whether you put his face, your face or the family pet’s face on them, it doesn’t matter. They’re practical and personal: win/win. 

For the handyman 

Get into the DIY spirit 

While a trip to Bunnings might out of bounds, he can still get his DIY fix with a gift card or home delivery from his favourite hardware store. (More: These are eight home DIY jobs you should never attempt and five home improvements that are worth the money) 

For the arts appreciator 

Just the ticket 

With many concerts cancelled due to COVID-19, your music-loving pa is probably missing his live-music fix. But COVID hasn’t killed the radio star. Creative musicians are taking their music online, inviting fans to intimate concerts that they can attend from their living room. Check out the live program from Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, or log on to Ticketmaster, Ticketek, Stageit.com, or Dice.fm or Tix.co for the latest online gigs. 

The show must go on 

If he loves a night on the town, sign him up for Broadway on Demand and stream the latest stage productions, or check out Ticketek's Comedy SOS series, Stand Up Online, for the latest LOL premieres – including Steph Tisdell and Ross Noble. Or, keep up to date with virtual events at together.vic.gov.au.

For the sports fanatic 

Sport on tap 

This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster for sports fans so, if he’s been missing his weekend footy fix, give him the gift of sport on tap with a subscription to Kayo. From AFL to UFC, racing, rugby, NBA, BBL and golf, he can access more than 50 sports, live and on-demand. He can even re-live old premierships with 20 years’ of AFL grand finals available on replay. 

For the fitness enthusiast 

Swing life away 

Golf courses are closed under stage-four lockdown restrictions but, with a Future Golf membership, he can look forward to playing some of Australia’s best courses once fairways swing back into action. 

Break a sweat 

Some dads can never have enough gym gear. And what better way to refresh his fitness wardrobe or add to his home gym than with a voucher for The Iconic, ASOS or Rebel Sport. From compression gear and running shorts to resistance band workouts, he’ll be sweating it up in no time. 

Watch out 

Help him keep on top of his health goals with a fitness tracker. From Garmin and Galaxy wrist tech to the Apple Watch, he’ll be able to track everything from his sleep to his daily step count.  

HIIT him up 

He can’t hit the gym, but he can keep up his fitness with a virtual workout. Sign him up for the next 28 by Sam Wood program, or help him train like a celebrity with Chris Hemsworth’s pocket training app, Centr. For more exercise inspo, check out our guide to keeping fit at home.  

For the manscaper 

Money well scent 

When it comes to dad’s day gifts, cologne is always a winner. If he’s running low on his signature scent, send him a fresh bottle or, if you want to make things interesting, sign him up for a monthly fragrance delivery from ScentGod. He’ll get eight-millilitre samples of top-selling aftershaves, curated to his perfume preferences, delivered to his door. 

Shave time 

Simplify his daily grooming routine by signing him up to the Dollar Shave Club. Not only will he never be caught out with a blunt razor again, you can also make sure he’s handsomely stocked with shaving creams, butters, beard oils and even body scrubs. You choose the frequency and they’ll keep him looking sharp.

Well groomed

Make grooming simple with a themed gift pack from gentSac, an online manscaping site with a curated selection of the best men's skin, face, hair and beard-care products. From zen kits and beard bags to polished padre packs, he'll be looking sharp with one of their dad-approved Father's Day sets. 

Pay it forward 

Future dad will be looking and feeling good with a voucher for his favourite barber shop. Many local businesses are offering gift cards or buy-now redeem-later services so you can pre-pay his next haircut or shave.  

For the dad who has everything 

Take him on a picnic 

Nothing beats a classic picnic. If you’re living under the same roof, try packing a picnic basket with some of his favourite homemade goodies, like banana bread, a coffee flask, or even some local cheese and beer, and enjoy some quality family time. Lay your rug in the backyard or on the living-room floor, scatter some cushions et voila – it’ll feel like a fun little family outing, without needing to leave the house.  

Cook him breakfast 

One of the best things about Father’s Day is that he can let someone else do the cooking and cleaning up. While breakfast in bed isn’t for everyone, make him feel special by setting the table nicely, squeezing some fresh oranges for juice and whipping up his favourite breakfast (check out our guide to nailing the best scrambled eggs and bacon). Oh, and don’t forget to put on the kettle for tea or coffee.  

Organise a family movie night 

Cinemas are closed but you can still get that big-screen feeling at home. Rent or stream his favourite movie, make some popcorn, pick up some choc tops from the supermarket and settle in for a family movie night. 

Take him on a faux holiday  

Travel is off the cards, but you can still give him a taste of adventure by cooking him a meal from his favourite holiday destination. Whether it’s authentic spaghetti bolognese with a glass of Italian wine or a spicy Thai curry and some local beer, it’ll be like a mini getaway.  

Plan a trivia night 

Whether you live under the same roof or plan a catch-up via Zoom, organising a family trivia night is a fun way to get together and celebrate (or roast) your dad. You could take a trip down memory lane with questions about memorable family moments, re-live unforgettable holidays, or include a slide of his most-used dad jokes. The options are endless. Or, if board games are more his style, check out our guide to eight of the best board games to play in lockdown.