We’ve all been guilty off “phoning it in” on Father’s Day. Despite our best intentions, we end up sending dad a tie, a gift card, or some silly novelty gadget.
But what if we could turn over a new leaf this time?
Instead of dad opening the box and seeing your usual Father’s Day gift, what if he opens the box to find a wooden crate, like the Ark in Indiana Jones. And he needs a crowbar to open it.
Then when he gets it open, BAM! He finds a bunch of super manly stuff like an axe, a cocktail set, or some gourmet jerky or barbecue sauce.
It’s almost like those old Pepperidge Farm gift baskets. Except instead of being full of nitrate-laden mini-sausages and processed cheese, these gift boxes are FULL OF AWESOME.
So how do you get your hands on one?
Two companies, Man Crates and Broquet, are paving the way for a new era of manly gift baskets. And in the process, they’re making it way easier for us to find unique gifts for guys. From Father’s Day to graduation, to groomsmen gifts, to Christmas and birthdays…no man need receive a lame gift ever again.
Man Crates
Man Crates has a wide selection of manly gift boxes. Dad can get in touch with his inner Rambo with the “Outdoor Survival Crate.” This includes a collection of handy gear like a cookset, camp shovel, firestarter, survival manual, and many other items. Or if going off the grid isn’t his thing, there’s the “Bacon Crate,” stuffed with all manner of bacon snack items, like bacon jerky, bacon salt, bacon popcorn, and more.

One of the most notable offerings is the “Retro Gamer Crate,” which includes a Retro-Bit NES console with two old school Nintento games, along with a collection of all the nostalgic candy dad can eat, like Big League Chew, Now & Laters, Pop Rocks, and other saliva-inducing treats.

Best of all, nearly every Man Crates package comes in a wooden crate—with a crowbar. So, you regardless of which themed box you pick, you are sure to make an impression. Scott, a Man Crates marketing team member, says that a Man Crates shipment is not just about the gift, it’s about a shared social experience. “Opening the crate gives them a story and a built-in memory.”
Broquet
Broquet has a smaller selection of gift boxes. But what it lacks in variety, it makes up for in thoughtful and unique gift options. The word “curated” comes to mind. “We try to offer products that guys will actually want to use, and things that you wouldn’t be able to find at your local store.”, says Broquet CEO Max Solomon. Items are tested thoroughly before being deemed worthy of their gift boxes. As their website says, the Broquet team “basically eats bacon, swings axes, and cultivates facial hair all day to track down the best American brands.”
With Broquet’s “The Colonial”, Dad will love the ritual of shaving again. This safety razor shaving kit includes a Parker heavyweight safety razor, genuine badger hair brush, along with glycerin shave soap, shave oil, and other accoutrements to help dad “shave like grandpa.”

If dad likes holding court by the grill, he’ll appreciate “The Applewood.” This BBQ ribs grilling set from Broquet includes, among other things, a stainless steel smoke box for woodchips, a pair of heavy-duty rosewood handle turner tongs, some other BBQ gear, along with mouth-watering grilling rubs and sauces.
One of the more unique items—something that could make dad’s next golf outing MUCH more interesting—is Broquet’s Growler and Personal Keg. This 64 oz double-walled stainless steel growler is fitted with a cap that turns it into a personal keg. So now, dad can get his favorite beer from the local microbrewery and then carry it around with him…everywhere.

Beyond these items, both Man Crates and Broquet have a ton of other great boxes full of manly snacks and cool gear. So, it shouldn’t be tough to find something for old dad. Both companies ship nearly everywhere, including internationally. And they both have great money-back satisfaction guarantees. Note, the links to Broquet are affiliate links, meaning I do get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use them. But don’t let that stop you from checking out Man Crates as well. Both are awesome companies.
Regardless of which manly gift purveyor you choose, you finally have a chance to redeem yourself from any previous Father’s Day transgressions. At last, you can get your dad something he’ll actually want.
In case you’re interested, both companies have been kind enough to provide a special 10% discount just for you, loyal Distilled Man reader.
To save 10% at Man Crates, click on this link: Man Crates Dad’s Day 10%
To save 10% at Broquet, visit their website and use promo code “DistilledMan” at checkout