Gift him an experience

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Gift him an experience

Friday, 19 June 2020 | Ayushi Sharma

Gift him an experience

Make Father’s Day memorable at home with innovative ideas and some good, old world indoor activities. Ayushi Sharma asks experts about a special day in the pandemic era

This Father’s Day may not be the same as every other year but who said that you cannot honour one of the most unconditional relationships there is? Since stepping out and celebrating the day at his favourite restaurant or pampering him with special gifts might not seem to be a viable option, why not gift him an indoor experience that he would remember for all time?

A virtual tour

While travelling — one of the best ways to bond with the family — is on the backburner due to the pandemic, technology brings at your doorstep the tools to explore, dream and plan the next, much-awaited vacation. “Visit favourite galleries worldwide as they now allow you access virtually and for free. With hundreds to choose from, the full list of the attractions can be viewed. Locate your father’s favourite city and explore,” shares Ashish Jain, CEO and director, Von Wellx Germany.

Let him hop on to the “armchair travel” wagon, grab a comfortable spot, a cup of coffee and have the screen transport him across continents in a mere matter of minutes. South Africa tourism is offering the Mzansi experience. It lets travel aficionados explore some of South Africa’s top natural attractions with 360-degree imagery from the comfort of their homes. The Street View allows you to watch the waves break at Sandy Bay, contemplate nature’s wonder and complexity as you watch the clear blue sky reflect in the water at Clifton Beach. You can go parasailing at the Sunset Beach or just take a leisurely walk along Durban’s Golden Mile. Those hoping to explore South African wildlife can simply click on Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, and catch a glimpse of rhinoceros grazing the plains, zebras frolicking around, giraffes sticking their necks out to reach higher branches or a herd of buffaloes charging against the wind. While giving you a taste of these vast plains, the Mzansi experience will leave you with a deeper admiration for South Africa and the continent and will inspire you to travel sustainably and in harmony with nature in the days to come.

A gift of health

In their enthusiasm to provide us with the best, fathers often neglect their own health. Since both Father’s Day and International Yoga Day are coinciding this time, what better than the gift of health? “As the global health crisis has welcomed the new normal, virtual celebrations have become the norm. So gift your father a virtual yoga session. Celebrate the day by doing partner yoga together. If you are keen to go outdoors for yoga, ensure that you take all the necessary precautions,” shares Dr Prabha Ranjan Sinha, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare and Super Specialty Hospital.

Dr Babina NM, Joint Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute, says, “Celebrations this year will be home-bound. One can kick start the day with some basic yoga asanas with daddy dearest. Roll out a mat and try asanas such as Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), Vriksasana (Tree Pose), Veerbhadrasana (Warrior Pose) and Utkatasana (Chair Pose). They are easy to perform and strengthen your mind and body.”

A father’s hard work, selflessness and perseverance certainly deserve a thoughtful gift. “Why not insure his health with a comprehensive health insurance plan so that he always has worry-free access to quality healthcare?” asks Ashutosh Shrotriya, Head-Product and Business Process, Religare Health Insurance. “Select a plan that offers a wide-range of benefits from in-patient hospitalisation to pre and post-hospitalisation. Some plans also offer coverage for alternative treatments and annual health check-up with the option of unlimited automatic recharge of sum insured. Not just this, buying a health insurance policy in the present situation is convenient since some insurers do not make it mandatory to undergo a pre-policy medical check-up and offers coverage via telephonic underwriting process,” he adds.

A taste from the past

Does your dad remember a favourite childhood restaurant or meal? Well, why not recreate it? Sharing this sentimental meal will be a special way for him to share his stories from his past with you. Get some tips from your grandmother about his favourite childhood dishes. Put on your chef’s hat and surprise him with breakfast in bed or a special candle-lit dinner. “Plan a barbecue with him. Helping your father with the barbecue is sure to bring a smile on his face,” shares Tabby Bhatia, Director, Voganow.

Try whipping up a gulkand ice-cream. Gulkand, made up of roses, acts as a coolant, which when mixed with the vanilla ice-cream, not only changes the taste but the texture of the dessert and is a perfect surprise for summers. Executive Corporate Chef Arvind Rai at The Ashok, New Delhi, shares his recipe:

Ingredients

Vanilla ice-cream: 55 ml

Gulkand: 15 gm

Roohafza: 5 ml

Method

Mix all the ingredients together and keep in refrigerator for five to six hours. When set, scoop out and serve well garnished.

Scavenger hunt

Create a treasure hunt and give him clues to help find his special Father’s Day gift or which leads to the decorated and candle-lit dinner table, which you had set for him.

Raise a toast

The occasion definitely calls for raising a toast to your best man. As a good whisky is a fixture on every dad’s bar, make sure the one you gift him counts. If he relishes luxury, then your best bet would be the uniquely rich and multi-layered blend of Chivas 18YO. If he enjoys his whisky smooth like the Irish, then the triple distilled Jameson Caskmates would instantly light up his eyes.

Still a kid at heart? Play indoor games

Make a puzzle of a childhood photo or a map of the town where your father grew up for a personalised gift. Not only will he appreciate the thoughtful gift but also cherish the time spent completing the puzzle. At the same time, as Tabby Bhatia suggests, you can buy several classic board games that your dad enjoyed playing when he was a child and celebrate the day with a throwback game night. “You can hold a pub quiz with him, taking charge and fulfilling the role of quiz master, of course, allowing him to reel off his dad jokes and flair for general knowledge,” adds Ashish Jain.

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