Gourmet Gift Baskets Fathers Day Treat

Bacon and chocolate ... two of my favorite things! I was GEEKED that gourmetgiftbaskets.com sent me a Fathers Day treat. Thank you! 

They were very kind to send me a Fathers Day greeting card and an indulgent bundt cake assortment. These just weren't any bundt cakes though ... the free gift box they sent me was filled with Double Chocolate and Maple Syrup & Bacon flavored bundt cakes. Bacon and chocolate ... oh yeah!

All together there were five mini-cakes in the gift box: 2 Double Chocolate, 2 Maple Syrup & Bacon, and 1 Cinnamon Coffee Cake. These bundt cakes are delicious! Freshly baked and delivered to my door ... these gourmetgiftbaskets.com were a wonderful Fathers Day gift. Of course, you'll win over most guys with bacon and chocolate flavored snacks! 

From their Ultimate Beer Gift Crate to Sweets & Treats Gift Basket, gourmetgiftbaskets.com has great present ideas not just for Fathers Day but for any occasion you are gift shopping for. You are guaranteed speedy service and quality products. My own experiences with them have earned them a Geek Daddy nod of approval. Check out gourmetgiftbaskets.com! 

Do you have a dad in your life that you need to get a Fathers Day present for? Gourmetgiftbaskets.com will make shopping for them easy and the people who receive these presents happy. Affordable prices, quality products and excellent customer service, you won't go wrong gift giving from gourmentgiftbaskets.com. 

FATHERS DAY GIFTS THAT WILL HAVE DADS GEEKED

Father's Day is just around the corner and here are some gift ideas that will have a special dad in your life geeked to get. Check out the suggestions below! 

KIDROBOT has an awesome selection of gifts for dad, including this Batman Dark Knight 8" Roto Phunny Plush, horror plush figures and much, much more! 

If your dad loves Star Wars then check out these high end screen accurate officially licensed helmets from DENUO NOVO including The Mandalorian, Luke Skywalker X-Wing, and The Force Awaken Han Solo Leather Jacket! 

NECA has your figures covered including The Joy of Painting Bob Ross Figure, King Features Defenders of the Earth Series 1 Set of 3 Figures, Disney’s Gargoyles Ultimate Goliath Figure and more! 

Get the loving dad in your life the perfect gift for the office with a fun variety of CHIA PETS including Yoda, Bob Ross, Weird Al, Willie Nelson and more! 

And fly into the Danger Zone with Dad as you get him feeling the need for speed with COSTUMES.COM and their Top Gun Maverick collection!

TRENDHIM FATHERS DAY GIFT IDEAS

My go to source for wardrobe accessories is trendhim.com. This online shop has fashionable items that will keep you in style with prices that will make you smile. So, if you are looking for Fathers Day gift ideas why don't you check out where guys like me go to shop for themselves.

We all know underwear and ties are the standard fare when it comes to giving dad a gift. Trendhim.com has you covered with a variety of colorful ties to choose from and their black signature boxers provide a 3-pack of underwear that is comfortable to wear and priced at what you'll often spend at other stores for one pair. Other men's lifestyle accessories available are belts, pocket squares and shaving gear.

If you want to go above and beyond to delight dad with a gift he is sure to be geeked about check out the selection of sunglasses and watches available from trendhim.com. I'm always excited to get some new shades or a watch that are both useful and add some eye candy to my appearance. I particularly like the Waykins black and yellow retro polarized sunglasses with wood temples and the Scout series of Fawler watches that both are really sharp!

Take care of the special dads in your life with a special present from trendhim.com for Fathers Day!

NOMAD TECH ACCESSORIES

I received an early Fathers Day care package courtesy of my favorite tech accessory brand, NOMAD. They produce wireless charging stands, mouse pads, phone cases, connection cables, smart watch straps and more. They've even transitioned some of their manufacturing capacity to produce some medical supplies that have been heard for people to get their hands on during the pandemic including hand sanitizer, nitrile gloves and face masks. These guys are awesome!

If you are shopping for dads or grads, I'm sure NOMAD has something that that special someone would be geeked to receive as a gift. This dad blogger has been putting the samples they sent me to good use. NOMAD makes some great stuff! I absolutely give their brand a Geek Daddy nod of approval.

MOUSEPAD

Coming in slate grey or rustic brown, these mousepads are designed to be the only one you'll ever need. It combines style with functionality and durability. This mousepad is constructed with a Horween leather surface and no slip micro-textured rubber base.

A great upgrade providing my home office space with a more mature look replacing the beat up mousepad displaying Looney Tunes characters that proceeded it. Not only do I like the look but this mousepad is more than double the size of any previous one I've had before and provides a great surface for seamlessly connecting my mouse to the computer.

WIRELESS BASE STATION STAND
I have to say this is one of my favorite gadgets that is around my house. Keep it right on the desk in my home office where it wirelessly charges my phone. All I have to do is place my phone on this base stand and it charges.  While my phone is charging it can also do other tasks like download apps, emails or other content which is very useful. Plus the display screen stays on so I can also use its clock features while working.

It is not just useful but looks very nice while sitting on your desk as well. The NOMAD Base Station Desk Charger has a precision molded aircraft-grade aluminum body and padded leather charging surface. It includes a LED charging indicator that shows at a glance when the base station is operating. A nice feature is the charging sensor has an ambient light sensor that automatically dims at night. Lots of nice details make this a standout product that is a nice addition for a home office desk top, a bedroom night stand, or that section of a kitchen counter where everyone tends to charge their phones. I love this device!

CORONAVIRUS MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Metro Detroit has been hit hard by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. It is impossible to find hand sanitizer and virus killing cleaning products on store shelves. Yet for those of us who have to leave the house for work or supply runs these are essential products for keeping families safe. So I really appreciate NOMAD sending us some hand sanitizer our way. This is going to come in handy!

Medical supplies you can purchase from NOMAD include hand sanitizer, face masks, nitrile gloves,  surface cleaner, and contactless thermometers. Businesses that are looking to re-open who need these supplies should definitely head over to the NOMAD website. Of course these are items that families can use too!

For more information on all the products available, head over to nomadgoods.com. This is a dependable brand that I've had a number of positive experiences dealing with. Whether you are looking for a Fathers Day gift, graduation present, coronavirus-related medical supplies or some tech accessories for yourself, I recommend connecting with NOMAD.

FATHERS DAY GIFT FOR MY DAD

My dad is notoriously difficult to shop for when it comes to getting him a present.  This year though I found him just the right gift for Fathers Day courtesy of The Quarto Group.  He loves to tinker with his 1923 Ford Motor Company Model T Depot Hack and take his grandkids on adventures in this antique car. So I found a book at quartoknows.com that I'm sure he is going to enjoy!

FORD MODEL T COAST TO COAST: A SLOW DRIVE ACROSS A FAST COUNTRY written by Tom Cotter with photographs by Michael Alan Ross and a forward by Henry Ford III is sure to delight motorheads, history buffs, and traveling dads.  The book shares the cross country trek by Cotter and Ross as they drive one of America's most iconic cars from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean along the country's oldest transcontinental road.  In today's fast paced age, they take the slow lane providing an interesting perspective of America's past and present through a 3,000-mile journey in a 100-year-old car.



This 224 page book features 150 color pictures and 25 black & white photos of the Model T they are driving and other classic cars they encounter along their path as well as historic images of sites they visit and scenic places they pass.  They drive along many of the same roads that a young Edsel Ford traveled in his father's Model T on a similar journey after graduating high school in 1917.  Along the way, Cotter and Ross visit a number of automotive and transportation themed museums as well as "keepers of the flame" that include Model T clubs, mechanics, junkyards, and car collectors across the country.  Readers also experience the duets trials and tribulations of keeping an antique car running on an arduous trip.

Full of suggestions of places to visit on a cross country trek, automotive trivia, and historical facts this book is sure to captivate my dad's attention. Whether someone enjoys restoring old cars or exploring new places, this book is great to peruse. Join Cotter and Ross on their "slow drive across a fast country" as it is a fascinating adventure.

For more information or to purchase the book, head over to quartoknows.com  

Oh by the way, a Depot Hack essentially was the first station wagon. At the time they were built most long distance travel was done by train.  Depot Hacks were used in cities to carry passengers and their luggage from train depots to their final destination which was normally a hotel. Of course, now they are perfect for leisurely family drives around town and hanging out with at weekend car shows.

GREAT TECH TO KEEP TRAVEL LOVING DADS AND GRADS CONNECTED

Looking for a Fathers Day present for a traveling dad like myself? A graduation present for someone who loves to travel? Or maybe something for yourself to make life more convenient? In that case, check out the tech available from NOMAD® that enhances electronic gadgets to make them more practical to use and powered up for people on to go.  I recently had the chance to try out a wireless charging stand, rugged universal cable, and leather phone case from NOMAD.  Have to say these products were really impressive!

WIRELESS CHARGING STAND

For cellular phones with wireless charging capabilities this offers a convenient way to keep charged up whether you are at home or traveling around the country.  Sized to be as easy to place on a desk as it is to pack within in a back pack or suit case. The charger's top side is wrapped in premium leather that provides a rugged but refined look that will be appealing to any guy plus it has a rubber base to provide a sturdy grip wherever it is placed.

Its 7.5W charge output powered up my Samsung S8 just as quickly as when it is plugged into a USB outlet or electrical outlet via a cord. Plus it charged up without me having to remove my phone from its protective case so all I had to do was place it upon the leather pad. Wow! Recharging my phone now is as simple as just setting it down on this charging stand.

No more having to mess around with cords with the NOMAD Wireless Charging Stand.  It offers dual resting position for your phone so you can have it upright or lying flat while charging a phone. Doesn't it suck to lose track of your phone when staying someplace overnight? Set the charger to upright position while placing it on the night table next to a bed so a phone remains visible during traveling stops using the stand's sturdy aluminum kickstand.  When at your home or office use its flat stance on a desk so you can just toss a phone on the pad for an easy battery recharge.

The NOMAD Wireless Charging Stand is made to be used with iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, Samsung S9, Samsung S9 Plus, Samsung S8, Samsung S8 Plus, and Samsung Note phones.  It is also compatible with all other android phones which are wireless charging compatible. Not only has it received a number of five star customer reviews on its website, but this wireless charging stand has also earned A Geek Daddy nod of approval.

UNIVERSAL CABLE

I'm always nervous when traveling that the cables needed to access and charge my electric devices like cameras, laptops, and tablets will get damaged or lost while out and about.  NOMAD has created a universal cable that is compatible with most devices and rugged enough to stand up to the wear and tear of any adventure.  This is going to become a permanent accessory stored within the backpack that I take on all my road trips. Whether hiking at a rural national park or spending time at Disney World this is a nice accessory to keep handy whenever you are traveling.

You can rely on military strength durability with this dependable Universal Cable from NOMAD. It is wrapped in 500D Nylon woven in a ballistic weave pattern which was originally developed to protect military forces from shrapnel and bullets. Now that is some heavy duty stuff you can trust!

The Universal Cable comes with integrated multi-tip charging options so it can interface with and charge a variety of mobile devices. The core cable has a USB A tip at one end and Micro USB at the other. Two attached tips, an MFi Certified Lightning tip and a USB Type C, can be snapped onto the Micro USB side making the cord useful with all iPhone, Android and other USB powered devices. No more hoping you brought along the right cord when you have this one along for the ride!

They’ve even added a custom designed Liquid Silicone Rubber tie to ensure their cable doesn’t get tangled.  With the attention to detail placed in designing and producing this Universal Cable, NOMAD is so confident in the quality of this product they provide a 5 YEAR GUARANTEE.  I sure do like it when a company stands behind their products like this!

LEATHER PHONE CASE

I have a hard protective case for my phone, but sometimes that just doesn't look very nice in certain situations.  For example, attorneys are allowed to take their phone into court but sometimes you need to inconspicuous when using it.  The leather case from NOMAD I've been using when visiting courthouses is very professional looking yet doesn't stand out.  I've found it to be very convenient when needing to access my phone without being overly noticeable.

Made from high-quality Horween leather this phone case looks sharp!  Horween Leather Co. has been making leather products for more than 100 years so you know they produce quality stuff to have stayed in business so long and garnered the quality reputation their business has. In addition to the leather exterior looking good, its interior has a microfiber lining to cushion a phone placed inside and semi-rigid TPE edges protected it from drops.  My phone slipped into the protective well of this leather folio nice and snug so there are no worries about this case putting style before function.

There are also slots within the case so you can use it as a wallet as well.  Throw in your identification, cash and credit cards to carry in it as well.  The other day I went to work without my wallet carrying my driver's license, State Bar ID, a debit card and some cash in the phone case.  It also has a cut out in the rear of the case so you can use a phone's camera functions without removing it from the case.

Whether for use in a professional capacity or just to spruce up a casual look this really is an outstanding case to store your phone in.  Both stylish and durable, this is a great addition to use for both work and play.  I've been getting a lot of use out of mine so obviously it gets a good recommendation.

The brand philosophy for NOMAD is to create products that allow their customers to own fewer things, be resourceful and seek adventure.  From my experience they are definitely living up to those expectations! Head over to hellonomad.com to discover all they have to offer. Also check out their Instagram feed @NomadGoods which is full of incredible imagery of taking tech on some wild treks.

THE BRO BASKET

The folks over at The Bro Basket noticed some of my craft beer reviews that I've written for A Geek Daddy and sent over a complimentary gift basket that they thought I'd enjoy.  If you are looking for a nice gift to help a special man in your life commemorate a birthday, Fathers Day, Valentines Day or another special occasion take a look at the products The Bro Basket has to offer.  These gift baskets are specifically designed with guys in mind.  The Bro Basket Craft Beer Tasting Kit they sent my way was very much appreciated.

The Bro Basket I had the chance to try out featured a selection of beverages from California-based Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company.  This brewery started by a father and son pays homage to the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley where their family lives with handcrafted beer that incorporate the region's atmosphere into the flavoring and hand-drawn artwork on bottle labels that depict the landscape of the area.  The Bro Basket included a variety of great Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company flavors including Danish Red, Davy Brown, and Hoppy Poppy.  It was nice to get a taste of some different types of brews that aren't available for me to try locally.

In addition to the brews, The Bro Basket Craft Beer Tasting Kit included four Weizen-style glasses that are designed to showcase a beer's coloring and enhance the aromas of its ingredients.  These are great glasses for doing tastings of various styles of craft beers.  The Bro Basket Craft Beer Tasting Kit comes complete with a wooden paddle to hold the glasses while doing a flight of samplings.  The 6 oz. glasses allow you to taste four different brews while drinking the same volume as just one pint of beer.

It is normally recommended to select beers that go from light ale to dark stout while drinking a flight to experience a wide variety of tastes and textures while sampling your selections.  Doing flights is an enjoyable way to experience a wide variety of different craft beers without getting yourself completely toasted.  I particularly like to do a flight when visiting someplace that has exclusive brews on tap only available at that location or when bottles of beers, like those from Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company, aren't regularly available to obtain near my home.

My first drink of The Bro Basket flight was a Fig Mtn Light which while low on calories has a rich taste that didn't feel watered down like many light beers do.  Going from lightest to richest in order of tasting the beers of this flight, next up was Hoppy Poppy an IPA (India Pale Ale) that has the slight aroma of a floral bouquet with hints of citrus and pine that is made with Cascade, Columbus and Centennial hops along with traces of poppy seeds.  Danish Red Lager was inspired by the village of Solvang nestled within the Santa Ynez Valley that was founded by Danish immigrants.  It is crafted with a blend of European caramels mixed with German and North American hops providing a full bodied taste layered with rich malt flavor while showing a nice amber hue in the glass.  The final glass was Davy Brown Ale named after an early pioneer who settled on Figueroa Mountain in the 1800s.  This brown ale is brewed with caramel and chocolate malts and you can taste a hint of coffee in it.

Some extras goodies within The Bro Basket Craft Beer Tasting Kit were a number of snacks including caramel popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, pretzels and some beef jerky to enjoy along with your flight of beers.  It also included a bottle opener, koozies and coasters for your beers packed inside a nice reusable wooden crate.  Plus if you are sending a Craft Beer Tasting Kit or any other The Bro Basket to someone as a gift you can place a card containing your very own personalized message right on the front of it.

In addition to craft beers there are also gift baskets themed around a variety of other spirits including Whiskey, Scotch and Bourbon.  Non-alcoholic themed packages are also available including ones themed for backyard grillers, fitness gurus, football fanatics, junk food lovers, and golfers.  For more information, please visit thebrobasket.com.

WHERE THE WILD DADS WENT

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are was one of my favorite picture books as a child and it maintains a prominent spot on my children's bookshelf as well.  So my son and I enjoyed spending some time reading together a parody of this classic story that is devoted to telling the tale of running away from life through the perspective of a dad.  In this new adaption of the story, a tired and emotional dad finds himself transported to the place WHERE THE WILD DADS WENT.

The night Dad had a few cheeky ones after work,

forgot the milk and tripped over the rubbish,

Mum called him A Wild Thing

and said "Don't mind me!"

and spend the rest of the night on the phone 

with Debs from down the road.

 Just like the boy in Where The Wild Things Are, the dad in this story wishes to escape from the doldrums of life to a place where he can just have fun.  He finds himself transported to a fantastic world full of beer drinking, air guitar playing, and foosball bouts.  Pretty soon though he begins to miss the place he left behind.

Written by Katie Blackburn with illustrations by Sholto Walker, WHERE THE DADS WENT is a rompish tribute to Maurice Sendak's classic children's book written for grownups who themselves enjoyed Where The Wild Things Are as kids.  A humorous look at fatherhood, this book can be read together with a guy's kids showing them that dads can still have a wild side; but what they really want is to enjoy the comforts of home with their family.  WHERE THE WILD DADS WENT is a perfect Fathers Day gift that would also make a nice present for new dads or any parent who has always wanted to run away from it all.  It great sketches will remind you of flipping through a beloved picture book as a child and its script will make you chuckle.

WHERE THE WILD DADS WENT is available as a hardcover book or a digital Kindle download from Amazon.com.

Armitron ADVENTURE Collection

** A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free to review **

Since 1956, ARMITRON has been equipping men with dependable watches that combine style with function at an affordable price.  They've just introduced a new collection of watches meant to empower guys to be adventurous.  Whether you are hiking through a rustic forest, climbing a steep peak, kayaking white water rapids or simply walking to work, Armitron ADVENTURE watches are designed to keep your day on track.

The Armitron ADVENTURE collection offers several designs that provide different features to meet wearers different needs and demands.  Need to monitor the environment around you during an outdoor trek?  Adventure Tracker watches include altimeter, barometer, temperature and weather station gauges.  Spending time under the darkness of the night sky?  Visible247glow in the dark technology absorb energy from daylight to illuminate the faces of these watches when it's dark. Other watches in the Armitron ADVENTURE collection offer a variety of different analog and digital functions for people to choose from.

I had the opportunity to personally try out two different styles of these new Armitron ADVENTURE watches.  Appreciating analog watches with their classic dial look, I selected two to review that would be useful in different circumstances.  They both were stylish and sturdy leaving me very pleased with my experience using them.  Even after wrapping up this review, I'm sure to continue regularly using these.  Based upon their affordability (most of the watches in the collection are under $100), quality of craftsmanship designed to stand up to rugged outdoor activities, useful features and stylish appearances, Armitron ADVENTURE watches get A Geek Daddy nod of approval.

Solar Powered Analog Watch with Green Nylon Slip Thru-Strap

You won't have to worry about winding or changing a battery to keep this watch ticking.  It is powered by light with one full charge allowing the watch to work continuously for up to 4 months.  Of course if you are actively wearing it around this watch will constantly be charging so you can always depend on it when on the go.

While you may lose your way on a trail you can depend on this watch to always keep track of the time.  With its durable stainless steel case and tough nylon wrist strap this watch is meant to be worn when you are active outdoors where it will get banged and scuffed up.  Whether you are mountain biking in the woods or clowning around with your kids on the neighborhood playground this is a great watch to wear while having outdoor fun.

I found it a very comfortable and convenient watch to wear while doing activities like mowing the lawn, playing catch in the backyard with my son and taking a hike on one of the local nature trails.  It is perfect for activities where you wouldn't want to worry about scuffing up or breaking a fancier model of watch.  Yet it is very dependable keeping an accurate time and still has a stylish look with its analog layout featuring a black face, luminous dial, and easy to view arabic numerals.  The solar cell which converts light into electrical energy to power the timepiece also blends in seamlessly with the watch's appearance.

Analog Watch with Dark Brown Leather Strap

This watch is a great accessory for whatever adventure arises out of your day.  I appreciate that it is professional enough to wear at work with a suit; but can also be casually worn while watching my kids soccer games, going out to eat on the patio of a local bistro, or on a shopping trip to my favorite comic book store.  Whether in a court house or a farm house this watch will help keep you on top of your day's schedule.

Powered by a traditional battery, in addition to the normal time this analog watch also has a multifunction dial that shows military (24 hour) time, the day of the week and the month's date providing quickly accessible information in a manner that also enhances the clock's look.  With a stainless steel case and water resistant up to 330 feet it is built not just to be looked at but to live life's adventures with. In my opinion this is a really sharp watch that is a great bargain because you can comfortably wear it at work or at play.

Fathers Day is coming up and an Armitron watch would make a great gift for a dad in your life.  Purchase a watch from the ADVENTURE collection now through Fathers Day (June 18, 2017) at armitron.com using the code DAD25 at checkout to receive 25% off your order plus FREE 2-Day Shipping. That really is a great deal!  Make sure you don't miss out on it!

Great Fathers Day Presents from Gourmet Gift Baskets

** This post was sponsored by GourmetGiftBaskets.com **

Treat Dad like a king by providing him a treat from GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Fathers Day.  They provide a variety of unique gift ideas that expand upon the traditional concept of a fruit basket, though they have those too!  You're sure to find a perfect Fathers Day gift from them.  A Geek Daddy has had the chance to personally taste test a number of these gourmet gift baskets and gives the company a nod of approval for providing quality products and excellent customer service.  Here are some suggestions for great Fathers Day presents from Gourmet Gift Baskets:

Barbecue Enthusiast Gift Basket

For the guy who enjoys grilling the Barbecue Enthusiast Gift Basket  includes spice blends and all-natural sauces that will turn a BBQ into a gourmet meal.  Plus there are some snacks for dad to enjoy while he is cooking on the grill including popcorn that is flavored like spicy buffalo wings and pretzel twists by Auntie Trudie's.

Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler

I love family movie nights and of course popcorn is the perfect thing to snack on when enjoying watching a film.  For the dad who is really into movies like me pick up a unique popcorn sampler to spice up this treat.  The Backyard BBQ Popcorn Sampler includes flavors like Hickory Maple Bacon, BBQ Ribs, Buttered Corn on the Cob, and Watermelon to munch on.  Try something out of the ordinary and you won't be disappointed with these different popcorn flavors.

Around the World Beer Bucket

This is a nice gift for beer-lover dads!  Let them enjoy some beers from various locals around the world that you may not normally find in your local beer aisle.  Plus it comes with some gourmet snacks that go great with these tasty beers.

Sugar Free Gift Basket

As dads like myself hit 40+ high-blood sugar and Type 2 Diabetes begin to become a problem for many men.  I'm struggling with that myself.  Finding delicious sugar free snacks can be a real task.  This basket is full of sweet treats and tasty goodies that fathers can enjoy without the sugar that they're supposed to be avoiding.

Gourmet Pizza Making Kit

Who doesn't love pizza?!  This kit provides everything you need to make your own fresh pies at home.  In addition to gourmet ingredients it also includes a 15" Pizza Stone with rack to provide an authentic Italian restaurant quality experience.

Oreo Cookies for Dad

The Belgian chocolate-dipped Oreo cookies from GourmetGiftBaskets.com taste incredible.  Plus they are decorated so that fathers know that Dad is #1 on their special day.

Use code FDAY10 in the checkout when placing an order to save 10% off Father's Day purchases.  Receiving a delivery from GourmetGiftBaskets.com is sure to put a smile on any father's face!