For many people, the tradition of honouring fathers goes back centuries. Christian days of commemoration have paid tribute to patriarchal figures since the 10th century AD, through days like St Joseph’s Day. However, the origins of Father’s Day as we know it can be traced back to the United States. 

The story, however, is somewhat tragic. A terrible mining accident, known as the Monongah Mine Disaster, took place in West Virginia in 1907, killing more than 350 miners. The next year, the local church held a service to honour and remember the fathers who were killed in the disaster. One of those miners was William Jackson Smart, father of Sonora Smart Dodd. Sonora, noticing the development of Mother’s Day services across the country, felt that fathers also needed some sort of regular recognition. So, in 1910, the YMCA of Spokane and the Ministerial Alliance declared that on the third Sunday in June, a Father’s Day service would be held. 

Over the next sixty years, Father’s Day grew from strength to strength, becoming more and more popular across the country. Businesses enjoyed being able to sell products specifically targeted toward men, such as alcohol, cigars, shirts, ties and suits. By 1972, Father’s Day had been enshrined as a national event to be observed annually, by then-President Richard Nixon. Today, Father’s Day is an annually observed day for Dads across the world, with celebrations taking place from Canada to Singapore. The day serves as a wonderful time to show appreciation for your Dad, by spending time together or buying him something he likes.

Father’s Day is all about giving thanks to your Dad. As such, it’s important to think about what he likes, and it’s equally important to find something substantial enough to show that you care. While there are no hard and fast rules about what men like, many Dads enjoy receiving tastefully-selected men’s apparel, accessories and watches. These gifts have been specifically designed with men like your Dad in mind. Similarly, men’s personal care and wellness items also make for good gifts, as they are tailor-made for men’s bodies. Many fathers are hugely into electronics, so make sure you explore iShopChangi’s range of computers, mobile and smart devices and audio gadgets. If you really want to treat your Dad, though, you simply can’t look past the iShopChangi wine & spirits range.

Wine and spirits were born out of celebration. With a long, long history dating back to approximately 7000 BC in China, wine and spirits have been praised for their intoxicating effects for centuries, which naturally lent itself to the “let loose” vibes of celebrations and ceremonies. In China, wine was an integral part of ceremonies such as burials, and for medicinal purposes. Later, in modern-day Georgia, Armenia and Iran, wine was used for similar purposes, and was likely made from a combination of rice, honey and hawthorn fruit. Distillation of oils via ancient alembic systems was taking place in southwest Slovakia from around 4000 BC, but it wasn’t until the 10th century AD that ibn Yazid used this technology not for perfume production, but for spirits. These early spirits were used for prolonging life expectancy and promoting overall health, giving them sacred importance amongst their first consumers. 

It’s clear that wine and spirits were beloved by practically everyone who consumed them. Over the following centuries, wine and spirits became integral parts of the culture of countless civilisations. From Ancient Roman consumption of wine during religious festivities and evening meals to Japanese consumption of sake in court festivals, religious ceremonies and drinking games, wine and spirits have a long history of bringing people together and celebrating life. Today, wine is more strongly associated with mealtimes, while spirits are more strongly associated with being a standalone drink to be appreciated on its own. Entire industries have been born for the pairing of red, white and sparkling wines with various foods, just as entire industries have been built around comparing the best spirits, be that baijiu alcohol, tequila or whisky.

Wines make for a great gift and an excellent accompaniment to lunches, dinners and end-of-day drinks. Buy your Dad a bottle of white wine from our extensive collection on iShopChangi, like a bottle of Dr. Loosen Riesling White Wine for just$25. One of Germany’s most delicate, acclaimed Rieslings, this bottle of Dr. Loosen offers a crisp, clean flavour that will go well with a variety of palettes. Fathers who are Sauvignon Blanc fanatics will enjoy a bottle of Craggy Range Wild Rock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, direct from the rich, cool soils of New Zealand. This bottle will pair well with seafood dishes, salads and fruit platters. Also from New Zealand comes the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, which has unmistakably bright, ripe fruit flavours that make for an attractive drinking experience. Of course, for sparkling wines, your Dad is sure to be impressed by a bottle of Impérial Brut from Moët and Chandon, a beverage that shows off a light, delicate poise and effervescence that has impressed consumers since 1743. 

Red wine lovers can indulge in this bottle of Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon. Direct from the vast expanses of West Australia – more specifically, the state’s Margaret River wine region – this wine has earned 94 points from James Suckling and 93 points from the West Australian’s review of the Top 100 Reds. Its clout will serve as a wonderful gift to your Dad this Father’s Day. Heading further east, treat your Dad to a bottle of Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz, straight from South Australia’s premier winemaker. This bottle comes from the brand’s BIN 389 collection, constituting some of its most celebrated bottles on offer. Or, if you’re really looking to splurge this Father’s Day, you simply can’t look past the Carruades De Lafite from Château Lafite Rothschild. This is undoubtedly one of the most famous wines in the world and carries with it all the class and sophistication of Bordeaux, France. 

Spirits for newbies and the experienced

The world of spirits is as deep as it is diverse. On iShopChangi, you can dive into a huge range in our online catalogue to find the perfect spirit for your Dad. Take a look at our tequila collection, which features signature bottles like Patron Anejo Tequila. Amber, oak wood, vanilla and raisins blend together to create a warm, sweet and hearty tequila, ideal for a Dad who possesses similar qualities! Caramel and smokey notes deliver a cosy finish to this aged tequila which is one of the brand’s best. Alternatively, buy your Dad a bottle from Patron’s Citrónge collection, which features zesty liqueur options like Lime Liqueur and Orange Liqueur. Serve up your tequila in a line of shots which you can do as a fun bonding activity with your Dad! Amarula Cream Ethiopian Café is another flavourful delight, which will serve well in martinis and cocktails of all varieties. 

Other spirits your Dad might like include baijiu, cognac and whisky, of which iShopChangi is home to a number of the world’s finest brands. Express your fondness for your Dad with a bottle of Wuliangye 8th Generation baijiu, made with a supple, mellow taste and an exquisite overall composure. Martell’s Noblige Cognac possesses similar gravitas, and heralds some of the brand’s finest concoctions. Hints of pear, prune, vanilla, cedar, oak and caramelised grape merge into a fruity, sweet beverage of outstanding texture. Suntory’s Chita Single Grain Japanese Whisky is a must-have for any appreciator of fine whisky. If this describes your Dad, he’ll enjoy the bottle’s blend of cardamom, crème brûlée, acacia honey, mint, rose and spiced oak. 

You can surprise your Dad this Father’s Day by buying him not just one bottle of his favourite wine or spirit, but a box set of several bottles, meaning the fun can last well beyond June! 

Compendium Spirits is offering a “Palate” Mini Set of Straits Vodka, Chendon Gin, Rojak Gin and Melaka Arrack, meaning you can treat your Dad to several of his favourite spirits all at once. Similarly, you can buy your Dad a range of flavours in the 8-set bundle of Chuga Soju Mixed Flavour, containing flavours like lychee, watermelon, apple and muscat grape. Alternatively, if you know your Dad likes just one kind of drink, why not buy him a bundle of it? Jura’s Sunset Bundle of Single Malt X Kith by Casa is an ideal choice for whisky lovers, as it contains rich, distinct bottles each crafted with its own unique finishing touches. Many have been aged in white oak bourbon barrels, or finished with an aged oloroso sherry – in any case, each is a delight well over a decade in the making, which your Dad is sure to appreciate. 

Standout wine bundles include the Wolf Blass Air Wine First Class Flight Bundle, which includes a Beringer’s Knight Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a Brown Brothers Patricia Shiraz and a Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz. Or, you can buy a set of three bottles of Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc from Domaines Barons de Rothschild and receive another three for free! Either choice will serve your Dad well for many months to come, leaving a lasting Father’s Day gift he’s bound to remember.

Explore wine and spirits to your heart’s content on iShopChangi, and find the perfect bottle to gift your Dad this Father’s Day! Shop through exclusive, tax-absorbed prices on wine and spirits, and Men’s fashion items like apparel, watches and jewellery, souvenirs and more at some of the most competitive prices Singapore-wide, and enjoy free delivery across the island when you spend $59 or more at the checkout. Take a look at Changi Rewards while you’re at it, and reap the benefits of even more discounts on iShopChangi, like 10% off your first product after joining! Start shopping early for your Dad this Father’s Day and purchase something just right for him through iShopChangi. You won’t regret it, and neither will your Dad!