Gift Guide: Dads
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Let’s talk gifts for dads. Maybe it’s just me, but I find dads hard to buy for. Every year was a struggle to find a gift my father would like and now I have to find one that my husband, will too! If you struggle as well, hopefully this curated list of the best gifts for dad will give you some tracks to run on.
You might find some more inspiration on our list of Gift Ideas for Grandparents or on our list of Best Gifts for Teen Boys.
Featured Gifts for Dads
We play favorites and here are some stars on our Dads Gift Guide this year.
Ultralight Compact Camping Chair
Looking for a camping chair for dad that’s lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pack? Meet the Pike Trail’s Ultralight Outdoor Chair.
Perfect for the beach, football tailgates, youth sports, camping, and RV travel.
Here’s what we like about this particular camping chair:
- It’s the lightest camping chair on the market (2.2 pounds) yet holds up to 330 pounds.
- With its “Easy Slide Design,” setup takes seconds.
- It’s built to last with top-notch materials.
- The stow bag has loops on each end making it easy to secure to a backpack.
- Side storage pockets and two cup/phone holders.
- Choose from six fun colors to match your style!
Use our exclusive discount code THRIVING10 at checkout for 10% off!
ButcherBox Gift Boxes
Now you can have Dad unbox all his favorite cuts of meat and seafood in a one-time gift box.
We’ve both have an on-going subscription to ButcherBox for 4 years and love it. Read my honest review here.
A gift box is a great way to give it a try with no commitment!
Lululemon Joggers
Pricy but worth every penny according to those who sport them. Treat Dad to these!
Under $25
Hammock
I love that these pack up in a small bag. Great for camping. Comes in tons of colors.
TAC LED Flashlight 2 Pack
He can never have enough of these! Super bright and lightweight, these are great for night walks or just to have an extra in the car.
Cold Beer Coats
I mean, I couldn’t NOT put these on a gift guide once I saw them. They would make a great stocking stuffer, white elephant gift, or fun gift that Dad would chuckle at every time he used one.
Goodr Sunglasses
These are the BEST. And such a great price. They were made for runners so they are light and stay on your face no matter what activity you’re doing.
Audible Subscription
I LOVE this idea.
Amazon will send your gift recipient an email on the day you choose along with redemption instructions, or allow you to print and give it directly based on the option you select. That way you can wrap it up if you want.
(Current Audible members will receive all credits from a redeemed gift membership at once. Their current plan will not be extended or interrupted.)
Dollar Shave Club
Super practical, but guys have been raving about this brand. With a weighty handle, this razor provides an extra close shave. My husband is a fan!
Rechargeable Lighter
I’ve heard amazing things about this inexpensive little electric lighter. Believe it or not, it lights without gas, fluid, or even a flame. Great stocking stuffer!
I’m Just Here for the Drinks Book
For the aspiring mixologist, this cocktail recipe book got rave reviews for being a fun, educational, and practical read. Wrap up the book, along with this great starter tools set.
Add these Bartender Tools to complete the gift.
Digital Meat Thermometer
This is a great kitchen tool to have. It reads the internal temperature of food instantly. Great for cooking meat the perfect temperature! A great price too.
Customized Socks
I just think these are hilarious. You can put any face or even pet’s face on a pair of socks. If anything, they’d make for a great laugh on Christmas morning or for a birthday.
BBQ Prep Tub
I got this for my husband last year and it was a favorite gift of his. It not only serves as a cutting board but the sides fold up to create a tub. He uses it every time he preps food for the grill or smoker.
Smart Plugs
If your man likes gadgets and tech, these might be a great idea! Smart plugs that work with Alexa. Just give a simple voice command to control your home device. You can control the plugs from anywhere, even if you are not at home. For example, you could turn lamps on and off when you’re on vacation, set timers for Christmas lights, or set up your coffee pot to start brewing before you even leave your bed.
Top 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster
Now your movie buff can flex his film-watching muscles as he works his way through the Top 100 movies of all time (and show off how many he’s finished).
Our Husband’s Favorite Books
We had our husbands (who read A LOT) share their favorite books with us. Here are their recommendations:
- Shoe Dog: A memoir by the creator of Nike.
- Educated: A memoir by Tara Westover. Westover was raised, along with her siblings, by survivalist parents in Idaho. She didn’t go to school or have a birth certificate or a social security number. In her memoir, she tells the story of her loving but crazy family and how she ended up with a PhD from Cambridge.
- The Great War of Our Time: The CIA’s fight against terrorism from Al Qa’ida to ISIS told through the memoir of former CIA director Michael Morell.
- Beneath a Scarlet Sky: Based on the true story of Pino Lella’s experience in Italy during World War 2. He landed a job as the assistant to a top Nazi general and became a spy. With almost every chapter I found myself saying, “No way.” If you enjoyed Unbroken (and how could you not?), you’ll love this one.
- Tiger Woods: If you thought you knew Tiger Woods but haven’t listened to this…then you don’t really know Tiger Woods. His life is the definition of complexity as you’re taken through his fascinating, heart-breaking, and cringe-worthy life.
- Grant: Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Chernow returns with a sweeping and dramatic portrait of one of our most compelling generals and presidents, Ulysses S. Grant.
- The Lord of the Rings: Tolkien is the giant on whose shoulders all other fantasy novels stand. Our family is in the middle of listening to these captivating classics. Remember, the book is always better than the movie.
- The Way of Kings: The beginning of a fantastic epic fantasy series by one of the genre’s best contemporary authors. When you’re left wanting more at the end of a very long book, you know it’s been worth it.
- NIV Bible: The NIV translation of the Bible is accessible yet faithful, and David Suchet’s narration is tremendous. This is also a good version to listen to with your kids.
- The Rise of Roosevelt, Theodore Rex, and Colonel Roosevelt: I found Theodore Roosevelt to be one of the more fascinating historical figures I’ve ever encountered. As an outdoorsman, cowboy, naval historian, police chief, military leader, politician, and explorer: his life fairly bursts with noteworthy experiences.
$25 – $50
Cook’s Choice Gift Set
I have this exact set and love these knives. They are super sharp, easy to use, and I love the size of them.
Electric Fly Swatter
I mean, what man wouldn’t have fun with one of these! Safe to touch and has great reviews. My family uses them around the campfire to take care of mosquitos!
Apple Device Charger
We have this exact one. It’s nice to throw my devices on it at night and let them all charge up in one place. Works better than the standup one.
Bombas Socks
I became a Bombas sock evangelist a few years ago and haven’t looked back. After getting my husband a set of them, he too has converted to the Bombas sock camp. I don’t know how to explain it but their socks are just the best. They are super high quality, fun to look at, and are a worthy investment. I mean, you wear socks EVERY day! They have all types of cuts and styles so take a peek around if this set isn’t something you’re interested in.
Chilled Beer Glasses
I got these for my husband for Father’s Day and we have used them regularly. You store them in the freezer and they keep a beer super chilly. A great gift!
Enso Silicone Wedding Ring
My husband has been wanting to get one of these for a long time. Unfortunately metal wedding rings can pose a real danger to active men. In fact, I have a friend who… you honestly don’t even want to know what happened to his finger when he was climbing up to fix a roof. Fortunately, these silicone rings are trendy right now, super comfortable, and safe.
Fischer Space Pens
These are no ordinary pens. My friend, Sarah from Highland House Living, told me, “They write on anything and upside down! Which sounds silly at first, but ended up being super wildly helpful if something gets wet/oily/dusty or so on. My husband carries his every day, always!”
Back Massager
I freaking love this thing. It can really rub out some tight muscles and even has the option of being heated while it does it.
Fly Gun
A friend of mine was raving about how much her husband LOVES his bug gun. This salt shooting, insect eradication device will decimate the common housefly, lantern flies, and other soft-bodied pest insects on contact. Uses ordinary table salt as ammo! He demonstrated on a pesky moth for us and it works!
Family Picture Calendar
Create a calendar with pictures of your family for Dad to hang up or place on his desk at work. Shutterfly allows you to start with any month making this a perfect dad gift for any time of year!
$50-$100 Gifts
Apple Airtag
These are a sanity saver. Great for keys, phone, or any other item he can’t seem to keep track of. Comes in a pack of 1 or 4.
HeyDudes
My husband is a huge fan of these. In fact, after he was gifted a pair last Christmas, he bought another pair a few months later! They are lightweight, super comfortable and have a great price point.
Massage Gun
Dad will thank you! Bonus points for a gift the whole family can use! This one is a great price point with very positive reviews. (28,000+ but who is counting.)
Portable Projector
For the movie buff: Imagine being able to project a movie onto any wall in your home or outside with your family. Show movies in the backyard on warm summer nights. Just throw some lounge chairs, sleeping bags, or bean bags into the yard and enjoy an evening under the stars with a favorite movie.
Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
These chairs are the envy of my entire small group. We’ve been meeting outside and some members brought these chairs. They fold up like a typical camping chair but have a rocking feature which is amazing!
Tumbling Timbers (Jumbo Jenga)
This is a great outdoor game. Every age can play it – even inside!
Event Tickets
Snag some concert, theater, or sporting event tickets for an “experience” gift. Browse some ticket sites like Stubhub to see what’s available.
$100+ Gifts for Dads
Knife Sharpener
My parents brag about their “dangerously sharp knives” and give this machine the credit. Apparently once you use it, you never go back. Could be a great gift for someone who likes to cook or grill.
Battery Operated Leaf Blower
My parents SWEAR by this leaf blower. They say they use it almost every day. It’s so nice to not have the cords and this thing packs some power!
Power Washer
This electric power washer gets the dirty work done! We have one and my husband uses it all the time. This is definitely one of those he’s going to love it gifts.
UGG Ascot Men’s Slipper
This best-selling men’s style is a favorite! Soft water-resistant suede, fully lined with natural wool and a durable sole, he will want to wear it everywhere!
Portable Cooler Bag
This is a perfect dad cooler for day use – soccer games, parks, hiking, kayaking, or even just hanging in the backyard. It keeps up to 24 cans ice cold. Rated as good as a Yeti, but colder. It easily keeps things cold for three days at a much lower price point.
North Face Thermoball Vest
Ultra lightweight and toasty warm, this vest is a staple for any guy.
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer
This air fryer has a cult following. I recently purchased it and am getting to know it. I LOVE that is has a flip up design option which saves a ton of counter space. With over 22,000 positive reviews, you can trust that this is well-loved by so many people!
Noise Cancelling AirPods Pro
These are one of my husband’s favorite gifts we have gotten him over the years. He uses them while reading at coffee shops, working in the office, or working out. They are worth the investment!
Standing Desk
Perfect for a dad who works from home!
Standing desks are a healthier alternative to sitting all day. They can help you increase your productivity levels, maintain your energy and maybe even improve longevity.
Flexispot desks are customizable, high quality, and even motorized. Dad can adjust the height of his desk by the flip of a switch.
Solo Stove
Fire pit built for the backyard and beyond. Easily light up smokeless fires anywhere life takes you. These are becoming incredibly popular!
DEWALT 20V Max Compact Drill Driver
If you’re trying to build up his tool collection, this is one of the most useful ones he will own. One of the best drills on the market, too.
Looking for Stocking Stuffers?
Browse our through our favorite kitchen tools!
These are the kitchen gadgets we can’t live without. Many of them are under $15!
Check Out All of Our Gift Guides
25+ Make Ahead Christmas Breakfasts
We have rounded up the BEST ideas for Christmas breakfast or brunch on the internet. The good news is that all of these can be prepped ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the morning.
Good News of Great Joy
A simple, weekly Advent devotional that’s intended to help your family focus on the story of Jesus’ birth.
The discussion questions and wide range of fun activities are designed for children ages 2-11.
Each weekly activity focuses on a different aspect of the Christmas story.
Let’s hear from you! Please share any gifts for dads ideas you have. Drop a comment below.
Be sure to check out all of our Gift Guides. You may also enjoy this list of thoughtful, free gift ideas.
Theresa Simoneaux says
Since my husband has a hardware store, it ls difficult to find new ideas! BUT I think the air fryer would be great for his quick chicken nugget lunches!
Liz M says
So many great ideas! Chilled beer glasses and the lighter are going on my husband’s list. Thanks!
Culzean says
I like the “I’m Just Here for the Drinks” book best! I’ve been looking for a mixology book for my brother and this looks like a great recommendation!
Katelyn Morris says
Digital meat thermometer! Hands down one of my husband’s favorite and most used gifts.
Krakenberg Kathyrn says
The Ninja Airfryer would be my pick for sure. I’m hearing wonderful things about this new healthy way of cooking. Fingers crossed
Judith H says
Digital thermometer great for the grillers
Marie says
So many GREAT ideas!
Jamie says
My husband is impossible to shop for. Thanks for these ideas!
Jenny says
I need to get some of the darn tough socks for my husband. His are always worn out.
Jenn says
Adding the Fly Gun to my list! Fun idea!
Christine Schlueter says
The butcher box is a great idea! Can’t go wrong with meats especially during Covid.
Jamie B says
Bit the bullet on AirPods. Adding the outdoor rocking chair and digital thermometer to a wishlist. Podcasts and grilling meat in a rocking chair…👌🏻
Julie says
So many great ideas here! Especially intrigued by the Bindle Bottle!!
Lora Leasure says
Love the Dewalt drill for installing curtain rods, hint, hint…
Morgan says
My hubster is a bag fan of hunting down flies with his Bug A-Salt gun!
Hilary says
I can attest the rechargeable lighter is awesome. I bought it for my candles, but my husband insists on lighting them every time because he thinks it’s so awesome. Affordable, too!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Good to know. Thanks, Hilary!