Big breakfasts in bustling cafes, tickets to sporting matches and family gatherings do not bode well with a global pandemic. Let’s not forget the millions who reside in parts of Australia where businesses as well as schools and kindergartens remain closed. For Victorian families with school aged children, there will be no Father’s Day gift stalls, no hand-made mugs nor classroom celebrations of any kind.
Quite frankly, Father’s Day is going to a look a little bit different this year. But don’t let COVID cull your plans. If you do want to celebrate Dad and support small business this Father’s Day too, read on.
In the year that is rapidly changing due to the world’s ongoing pandemic plight, this is an opportunity to take advantage of the innovative Father’s Day offerings put together by small businesses across the country and to be inspired by those who’ve suggested alternative ways to celebrate. Here are three ways you can celebrate Dad during a pandemic and support small business too.
Home Delivered Breakfast
If you are not socially distanced from Dad this year and you live under the same roof, you could, of course, cook hima big brekkie with the full works. Pick up your snags, bacon, hash browns and eggs and get the whole family involved in the kitchen. Otherwise, if you’d like a break from the routine, why not check in with your local hospitality venue and see if they’re serving up takeaway brekkies? Not only are you saving yourself the trouble of cooking, but you’re supporting your local café too.
Father’s Day Gift Boxes
Such offerings are not new, but this year we have seen an increase in the variation of Father’s Day gift boxes available to buy.
With many bars closed or restricted, some venues have been offering pre-prepared cocktail deliveries. This means bars can remain in business whilst keeping thirsty locals topped up with their favourite tipples by way of takeaway or home delivered drinks. Why not treat Dad to his favourite blend?
“Iso boxes” are also on the rise too. Quarantine treats delivered to your home include sweet and savoury grazing boxes and cookie packs. Some clever folk in the hospitality industry have teamed up to offer locally sourced goodies in one box. You could treat Dad to a beer and cheese hamper all the way from Bruny Island in Tasmania. If you’re in the ACT you could buy a Father’s Day pack of donuts packaged with Canberra District wines and locally brewed beers from the Red Barron Pantry Café.
Father’s Day Experience Gifts
Father’s Day experience gifts might not be on your 2020 radar, but that’s not to say you can’t buy Dad a voucher now for him to redeem later. Some experience gift operators sell gift vouchers with a 3 to five-year expiry (after changes were made by law by the ACCC)
Otherwise you could opt for a digital experience. As each month moves on to the next, we have seen a steady increase in the number of virtual experiences offered to digital savvy viewers. From online trivia quizzes to art classes, music lessons and everything in-between, the world has become a connected pool of virtual fun and educational experiences.
If Dad likes gin why not book him into virtual gin tasting class or a Scotch Whisky experience (Explore Scotch) with The Fox Hole in Sydney. These experiences are hosted by the venue’s in-house experts, conducted via zoom to your dining table, anywhere in Australia.
The Melbourne Foodie Father’s in your family may like South Wharf Restaurants’ Paella Online Master Class. Dad will learn the skills he needs to cook his own paella at home and classes includes a keepsake paella pan so that he can re-create his master dish at any time.
Alternately, you could treat Dad to a voucher for his favourite restaurant. He can decide whether he would like to redeem now for a takeaway meal or eat-in later when it is permitted to do so (and it might just score you an invite along with him too)…
Don’t let COVID cull your Father’s Day plans
Well.. there you have it. It turns out you can still celebrate Dad and support small business this Father’s Day, thanks to some quick-thinking individuals who have put together some ingenious offerings. Whatever you choose to do this year, just remember to make the most of what you have available because nothing lasts forever. This time next year things might look quite different.
How will you be celebrating Father’s Day this year? Tell us in the comments below.