Father’s Day is on the horizon, and we can’t help but address the proverbial elephant in the room: it just doesn’t receive the level of attention that Mother’s Day does. Some psychologists say it’s because we feel that mothers make more sacrifices, and therefore deserve bigger and better presents. Others claim that dads are less interested in “tangible tokens of appreciation”. Our theory? It’s because men are notoriously tricky to shop for. With that in mind, The Gaggler is taking an experiences-only approach in 2022, curating this guide to match the interests of fathers across the UAE. Bonus: shipping delays and unexpected duty charges not included.
Annual Membership to the NT Live Programme at Courtyard Playhouse
for the theatre-loving father
It’s essentially impossible to find a better gift for a theater buff in Dubai. National Theatre Live is an initiative by National Theatre to broadcast the best of British theater live from the London stage to cinemas around the world. And with Courtyard Playhouse in Al Quoz acting as a partner venue, annual membership will give your father access to all NT Live screenings – a guaranteed minimum of 10 per year – alongside other perks such as discounts on Courtyard Playhouse workshops and paraphernalia. Past screenings have included the likes of Fleabag, Hamlet, and Hedda Gabler.
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A Gift Card from Gulf Photo Plus
for the photophile father
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a photography enthusiast who doesn’t rave about the talks, exhibitions, and other activities at Gulf Photo Plus in Alserkal Avenue. This Father’s Day, give a boost to dad’s photography skills by treating him to one of its brilliant workshops or photo walks through a gift card. Incidentally, it can also be redeemed against GPP products such as photo books and services like printing.
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An eGift Card from 1847
for the old-school father
Between operating 11 locations, boasting a clientele that includes the country’s “most esteemed dignitaries”, and winning the World’s Best Male Grooming Salon award at the World Spa Awards 2020, your father is (quite literally) in safe hands at 1847. Named after the year in which the safety razor was invented, this upscale yet old-school barbershop offers everything from multi-step shaves and deep-tissue massages to manicures, haircuts, and express facials – all amidst a backdrop of understated luxury.
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Membership to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Club
for the culture-obsessed father
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, Louvre Abu Dhabi boasts 55 buildings that house gallery rooms, a café, a children’s museum, an auditorium, and more. The museum’s permanent collection includes over 600 works, including a self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh. However, many of Dubai’s residents still haven’t gotten around to visiting this gem of an institute due to its location on Saadiyat Island. If your culture-loving father is one such resident, gift him an annual membership to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Club. It will give him unlimited yearly access, discounts on workshops, and even free entry to partner museums in France.
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A Gift Voucher from Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
for the bibliophile father
After 13 successful instalments and countless awards, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is still one of the city’s favorite events amongst anyone who takes even a remote interest in reading. Case in point: the 2021 edition featured the likes of Elif Shafak, Zeina Hashem Beck, Malala Yousafzai, and more. A gift voucher to this festival is therefore a no-brainer as far as gifting bibliophiles is concerned. Denominations range from AED 100 to 1,000, and can be redeemed against the Foundation Friends membership and/or tickets to Emirates Airline Festival of Literature events.
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A Gift Card from TheJamJar
for the artistically inclined father
It’s no secret that art is easily one of the best ways to express oneself – or just a great way to while away the hours during an uneventful weekend. Enter: thejamjar, a community arts space that works to promote artists and support the development of Dubai’s arts scene through its extensive arts program, educational initiatives, and community projects. Located in Alserkal Avenue, the studio hosts everything from guided DIY sessions to classes that cover drawing techniques and even workshops on connecting with your deeper self through art, so – armed with a gift card – your artistically inclined father will have plenty of options to choose from. Denominations range from AED 100 to 350.
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A Gift Card from Top Chef Cooking Studio
for the foodie father
Sometimes, even the most enthusiastic foodie needs a little help in the culinary department, and we think Top Chef Cooking Studio is the perfect place to get it. You can choose to buy a gift card for a range of classes such as ‘Culinary Art’, ‘Grill On’, or ‘Cooking for Two’. State-of-the-art kitchen aside, the venue comes complete with vintage Berber rugs, industrial-style furniture, and wallpaper featuring Piero Fornasetti’s iconic interpretations of Italian soprano Lina Cavalieri, so he’s bound to love it.
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A Gift Voucher from Skydive Dubai
for the thrill-seeking father
What will your father soon have in common with Will Smith, Sheikh Hamdan, and Akon? Jumping out of a plane, courtesy of Skydive Dubai. A tandem skydive – be it over Palm Jumeirah or the dunes of the desert – is a bucket list staple for adrenaline junkies across the country, and there’s no upper limit as far as age is concerned. A medical statement will be required if he’s over 70, but that’s all that stands between him and the biggest thrill of his life.
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A Gift Voucher from Frying Pan Adventures
for the always-curious father
There’s something about Frying Pan Adventures that appeals equally to food fanatics, culture vultures, and urban explorers – and its walking feasts through the city’s oldest neighbourhoods never cease to amaze participants. If your dad has yet to discover Old Dubai, lives for hole-in-the-wall eateries, or loves trying cuisines from far-flung locales, this is it. You can gift him a voucher for any amount of your choice, and he can use it against any tour over the following 12 months.
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A Gift Voucher from Yas Waterworld
for the forever-young father
So your father’s adventurous, but not to the point of jumping out of planes – right? This one’s a winner, then. Ranging in denominations from AED 100 to 2,500, Yas Theme Parks gift cards allow recipients access to not only Yas Waterworld, but also Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World. And if you’re concerned about the unsuitability of the weather in the months ahead, fret not – they’re valid for a full year upon redemption date.
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