Sleep Tight: Father's Day Gift-giving Ideas to give Dad a Break

Harry Connick, Jr. has been quoted as saying, “My Dad is my hero.” Father’s Day is the perfect time to honor that special hero in your New Jammies kids’ lives by helping Dad relax and enjoy summer. These gift-giving ideas take the stress out of shopping to make Dad’s Day a breeze.

Grill Master
At New Jammies, we love the Slow Cooking Movement and the process of smoking foods. Who doesn’t enjoy a leisurely long day for Dad to prepare a meal for his family while he sips on sweet tea or a cold ginger beer?

It’s no secret many dads take barbecuing to an extremely personal level each summer, finding zen in the practice of smoking meats and slow-roasting vegetables to perfection. For the griller in your father, head to your local Target store, or shop online at target.com, for The Charcoal Companion Stuffed Burger Recipe Book, “the ultimate, one-of-a-kind collection of the most delicious and unique stuffed burger recipe.” Accompanying this Father’s Day-friendly book is the inventive Stuff-A-Burger Press that creates stuffed burgers with tender and tasty toppings on the inside. If ordered online and shipped fast, the book and press combo can come gift-wrapped and you’ll receive 20% off (sale price $13.59, reg $16.99).

This Turkey Burger Stuffed with Zucchini and Mushrooms recipe from sparkrecipes.com keeps Dad healthy by providing two servings of vegetables per thick, juicy patty. Ground turkey breast is leaner than beef, and the diced veggies in the meat help keep it moist. Use the grill in the recipe for the summer months.

Help Dad up his expert griller game with some great grilled veggie centers and sides using the The Gardener & the Grill: The Bounty of the Garden Meets the Sizzle of the Grill guide. The book, available on amazon.com, is described as the complete grilling companion for gardeners, seasonal eaters and “flexitarians” everywhere, and anyone enamored of the powers of the grill—not just during the summer months, but all year long.

To add some extra flavor to Dad’s grilled veggies and burgers, or any dish, try Fire & Flavor’s all-natural, sweet and smoky Apple Wood Smoking Chips for gas or charcoal grills. They’re made in the good ol’ USA and perfect for beef, chicken, seafood and pork.

A Toast to Dad
Help Dad take a load off and unwind after grilling up dinner with a custom cocktail made with care. The Black Cherry Bourbon Soda from farmgirlgourmet.com, found on Pinterest, features a summery fruit treat and premium bourbon. Black cherries are used to infuse bourbon for the ultimate cherry soda. Cherry Bourbon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Ingredients
1 cup bourbon, such as Eagle Rare or Maker’s Mark
3/4 cup packed golden brown sugar
2 cups whole fresh black cherries, stems left on and pitted
16 ounces (2 cups) soda water

Instructions
Add the bourbon and brown sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Pack cherries into a small jar and pour the hot liquid over; press gently on the cherries to make sure they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 week or up to 1 month.
To prepare sodas: Fill four 12-ounce rocks glasses with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) cherry-infused bourbon to each glass and top with about 4 ounces soda water each. Garnish with 2 or 3 whole cherries soaked in bourbon (the longer they soak, the stronger they taste and can be enjoyed separately). Serve immediately.

Super Dad
Rest comes easy for the super dad when he’s kicking back in PJs. Ideal for a fun Father’s Day gift idea, the Superman Two-piece Sleep Set in gray, available at Kohl’s stores and online at kohls.com helps dad be the man of steel while being a hero around the house. The set, on sale for $20 when originally $50, includes a short-sleeved crewneck tee and drawstring elastic waistband, button-fly lounge pants for extra comfort.

Let’s Get Physical
Dad can test his strength and stamina at home and learn how yoga can improve his sleep, breathing and overall health with the Yoga for Men DVD, designed specifically for men by men, available on amazon.com. The 50-minute Yoga for Men routine can help Dad build strength and tone, achieve a great total body workout and help in the recovery from a sports related injury. Created and presented by Jake Panasevish, a certified vinyasa yoga teacher with more than 400 hours of training, Yoga for Men is based on his personal experiences overcoming sports related injuries and the overall goal of achieving excellent physical condition.

Music Man
For music-loving fathers who love to listen to tunes on the go, amazon.com offers the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker. Its sleek, ultra-compact design fits in the palm of Dad’s hand. He will enjoy full, natural sound for music, videos or games. Best of all, the speaker connects wirelessly to a smartphone, tablet or other Bluetooth device. Its advanced audio performance delivers a full-range listening experience and is Bose’s most compact, portable speaker. It features a rechargeable battery to play up to 7 hours for optional music listening while on a trip, working out or relaxing around the house. Shop online at amazon.com to receive 10% off (list price: $199, with deal: $179) and fast, free shipping delivered by Dad’s Day.