The Best Gifts for Dad, Father-in-Laws, or Stepdads

amazon.com

While shopping for gifts for your mom or siblings might be a breeze, finding the best gift for dad (even just a great Father’s Day gift) can be a struggle. If he’s a bit of a stoic, finding great gift ideas might feel impossible from the start; if he’s the gadget-loving type or has hobbies that lend themselves to gift-giving (golf, cycling, boating, etc.), it might seem easy. But there are so many options out there, the right gift for dad might be hard to find among the noise.

One of the greatest struggles when it comes to gifts for dad is striking the right note. You don’t want to go the route of Valentine’s Day gifts, which might feel too personal or romantic, but you also don’t want to gift something as general as a white elephant gift. A gift card might feel like giving up, but it always makes a great back-up, should your other gift ideas for dad fall through.

If it’s starting to feel like finding great gift is a lost cause, stop and take a deep breath: You can and will find a great gift for your dad. Even if you’re shopping for a stepdad or father-in-law (heck, even a grandfather), the right gift is out there. We’ve combed through the endless ties, novelty glasses, and sports paraphernalia to find useful, creative gifts for dad that will bring a smile to his face (even if he’s not one for smiling) no matter the occasion.

Whether you’re shopping for a birthday gift, a Hanukkah gift, or a just-because present, you’ll find some gifting inspiration here; you (and your dad) can thank us later.

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Wooden Fractal Puzzle

uncommongoods.com

Give dad a gift that will keep him absorbed for hours with this mind-bending puzzle, which uses shapes instead of pictures for an entertaining brain workout.

To buy: $60; uncommongoods.com.

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Hoka Men’s Ora Recovery Shoe

hokaoneone.com

Whether he’s a regular athlete or just a frequent victim of sore feet, these breathable, cushioned slip-on sneakers will give his feet a break. They even fold down easily, so he can bring them along on his next business trip or vacation (or just stick them in his gym or work bag).

To buy: $80; hokaoneone.com.

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BottleLoft

uncommongoods.com

A great gift for dad is one he’ll use every day, and if he’s a beer drinker, these magnetic strips are just that: They attach to the roof of his fridge (or the garage minifridge) and hold bottles in place, so they’re above the mess of the rest of the space and always easy to find.

To buy: $30; uncommongoods.com.

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Philips Airfryer XXL

philips.com

Encourage Dad to expand his cooking skills—and eat better—with this countertop air fryer, which both uses less oil to fry foods and removes and catches excess fat. The XXL size means he can cook for a crowd, too, so his buddies or the whole family can enjoy.

To buy: $250; usa.philips.com.

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Wine Cork States

uncommongoods.com

If he can’t imagine going without his nightly glass of wine and he loves debating flavor notes, let him track his favorite bottles and display his hobby at the same time with this birch wall decor. Pick his state of residence, or one that you have fond memories of; all 50 states are available.

To buy: $35; uncommongoods.com.

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Men’s Handsewn Slippers, Flannel-Lined

llbean.com

Dad works hard on the weekdays and will find these slippers will give him some much-needed relief when he makes it home after a long day or is lounging around the house on the weekends. The comfortable slip-ons are made of leather with a cozy flannel lining inside.

To buy: $50; llbean.com.

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BBQ Apron Cooking Guide

amazon.com

Even the guy who’s been grilling for years sometimes forgets what the USDA-recommended internal temperature for pork is. This apron not only keeps his clothes spot-free, but also offers a quick cooking cheat sheet (tips, tricks, and cooking times) that’s printed upside down for easy reference.

To buy: $10; amazon.com.

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The Homemade Gin Kit

homemadegin.com

For the wannabe bootlegger or the guy who simply enjoys making his own hooch at home. This fully loaded kit, which includes glass bottles, double-mesh fine strainer, funnel, and a jar of juniper berries, will have him drinking a Tom Collins on the porch whenever he feels like it.

To buy: $50; amazon.com.

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Beatles

taschen.com

If he grew up thinking he was the fifth Beatle, then he’ll go wild for Harry Benson’s behind-the-scenes photos in this hard-covered collectible.

To buy: From $109; amazon.com.

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Tenalach Night & Day Bocce Ball

tenalach.com

If Dad would be happiest spending his spring, summer, and fall afternoons outdoors playing this classic leisure yard game, help him extend the fun with this LED set, which lights up at night for hours of more play.

To buy: $150; tenalach.com.

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OtterBox Elevation 20 Tumbler and French Press Lid

otterbox.com

If he’s become a bit of a coffee snob, let him take his French press on the go with this smart set. The French press lid lets his coffee brew while he’s driving to work or getting ready; when it’s time to press, he can do that and drink right away without dirtying a mug or another container. The stainless steel mug will keep his coffee warm for hours, too, so he has plenty of time to finish his morning brew.

To buy: $60; otterbox.com.

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Darn Tough Solid Crew Light

darntough.com

We know, we know. Socks? Really? Yes. They might not be particularly flashy, but a good pair of socks is a worthy gift, and Dad will love this ultra-durable, comfortable pair. Made of merino wool with moisture-wicking capabilities, these socks will keep his feet (and, by extension, him) happy all workday long.

To buy: $21; darntough.com.

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Beer Caddy with Bottle Opener

uncommongoods.com

If he’s always charged with bringing brews along to the game, cookout, or lake, this canvas caddy is a great gift idea for dad. It can hold up to six bottles and has an attached bottle opener, so he (and whoever he chooses to share with) can enjoy his favorite drinks anywhere.

To buy: $30; uncommongoods.com.

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BioLite FirePit

amazon.com

This smokeless—smokeless!—outdoor fire pit and grill offers all the fun of a fire pit and camping without the lingering smell. Dad can use it as a grill, for barbecue, or to roast marshmallows, and the FirePit can go from spark to fire in less than 30 seconds; with that kind of efficiency, he can enjoy an outdoor fire every night, even if it’s on a balcony or terrace.

To buy: $250; bioliteenergy.com.

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IKEA SYMFONISK Table lamp with WiFi speaker

ikea.com

If he’s a big music fan but lacks a quality speaker for it, consider this gift idea for dad: A multi-tasking speaker that doubles as a lamp, so he can fit his tunes into a small space where a speaker might not mesh. The speaker offers rich sound and can connect with other Sonos speakers, so he can also incorporate this smaller speaker into the all-house system.

To buy: $179; ikea.com.

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Echo Dot with Clock (3rd Generation)

amazon.com

The ultra-popular Alexa device now has a built-in digital clock, so he can always see the time—and then ask Alexa all about the day’s schedule, the weather, and traffic. The LED display can show outdoor temperatures and timers, too, so he can finally ditch that years-old alarm clock.

To buy: $60; amazon.com.

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Harry’s Winston Set

harrys.com

Give his shaving gear a 2019 upgrade with this luxe kit, which includes a polished chrome handle, German-engineered blade cartridges, foaming shave gel or cream, and a travel cover. You can even get the handle engraved for an additional fee and a more personalized gift.

To buy: $25; harrys.com.

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Jaybird Vista

jaybirdsport.com

These small-but-mighty earbuds offer 32 hours of premium sound, so he can run, tackle some yard work, and walk the dog without missing a single song. The buds are also waterproof—sweat can’t even stop them—and have a stay-put sport fit.

To buy: $180; jaybirdsport.com.

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Lululemon The Reversible (Big) Mat

lululemon.com

Whether he’s already a regular practitioner or you’re encouraging him to get his yoga on more often, this extra-long and wide yoga mat will stop any excuses that the mats at his gym are too small. With a moisture-absorbing top layer and 84 inches of stretching space, this sleek, high-end mat will have him in downward-facing dog in no time. (Worst case scenario, he can use the mat for his other core or floor workouts if yoga really isn’t going to happen.)

To buy: $88; lululemon.com.

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Mesh Grill Bags

uncommongoods.com

Encourage him to eat more veggies without giving up his passion for the grill with these reusable mesh bags, which can cook veggies to blackened perfection without falls into the fire or single-use aluminum foil.

To buy: $22 for two; uncommongoods.com.

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ThermoWorks ThermoPop

thermoworks.com

This highly rated pocket thermometer can check the temperature on barbecue meats and oven roasts alike, so Dad can be sure he’s cooking everything well (or medium, or whatever). The rotating display makes checking meat from any angle easy, and the display uses large digits, so he’ll be able to read it even without his glasses.

To buy: $34; thermoworks.com.

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OtterBox Trooper Cooler 30 Quart

amazon.com

This heavy-duty cooler can carry up to 50 cans (without ice), so he can stock the whole tailgate or block party out of one easy-to-move container. The backpack straps make lugging cans and bottles a breeze, and the powerful insulating potential can keep ice solid for up to three days.

To buy: $350; amazon.com.

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Stanley Outdoor Growler Gift Set

amazon.com

If he’s a bit of an outdoorsman, he’ll love this set, which includes a growler (perfect for holding coffee, beer, juice, or whatever beverage he prefers) and four tumblers. The vacuum-insulated body will keep beer cold for 24 hours, and the whole set is dishwasher-safe, so he can come back from his fishing or camping trip having drunk well with minimal clean-up.

To buy: $65; amazon.com.

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Timbuk2 Foundry Pack

timbuk2.com

Your dad—or father-in-law or stepdad—is getting older, but no one’s ever too old for a backpack. Whether he’s retired, driving to work every morning, or taking a train, he can use a sturdy pack to carry all his gear. This one has meeting-ready leather detailing, padded shoulder straps, and a laptop pocket.

To buy: $229; timbuk2.com.

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Away The Daily Carry-On with Pocket

awaytravel.com

If he’s still dragging his ’80s-era duffle on work trips and weekend jaunts, here’s a good gift idea for dad: Give him this sleek, ultra-compact carry-on, which can hold his work essentials and weekend getaway–wear alike.

To buy: $245; awaytravel.com.

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Yeti Rambler 30 oz Tumbler

yeti.com

This super-sized travel cup will keep any beverage at its ideal temperature, so he can enjoy his hot coffee or ice water at his leisure throughout the day. The huge capacity means fewer trips to the coffee pot or water cooler, and the sliding lid offers a tiny bit of splash prevention.

To buy: $35; yeti.com.

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Mark & Graham Rustic Leather Tech Catchall Tray

markandgraham.com

Upgrade his well-used catchall with this leather valet, which has three compartments, a spot for a charging cable, and a lid for truly precious belongings. Personalization is also available.

To buy: $99; markandgraham.com.

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More

27 of the Best Gifts for Dad for Any Occasion

1 of 27

Wooden Fractal Puzzle

1 of 27

2 of 27

Hoka Men’s Ora Recovery Shoe

2 of 27

3 of 27

BottleLoft

3 of 27

4 of 27

Philips Airfryer XXL

4 of 27

5 of 27

Wine Cork States

5 of 27

6 of 27

Men’s Handsewn Slippers, Flannel-Lined

6 of 27

7 of 27

BBQ Apron Cooking Guide

7 of 27

8 of 27

The Homemade Gin Kit

8 of 27

9 of 27

Beatles

9 of 27

10 of 27

Tenalach Night & Day Bocce Ball

10 of 27

11 of 27

OtterBox Elevation 20 Tumbler and French Press Lid

11 of 27

12 of 27

Darn Tough Solid Crew Light

12 of 27

13 of 27

Beer Caddy with Bottle Opener

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14 of 27

BioLite FirePit

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15 of 27

IKEA SYMFONISK Table lamp with WiFi speaker

15 of 27

16 of 27

Echo Dot with Clock (3rd Generation)

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Harry’s Winston Set

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Jaybird Vista

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Lululemon The Reversible (Big) Mat

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Mesh Grill Bags

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ThermoWorks ThermoPop

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OtterBox Trooper Cooler 30 Quart

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Stanley Outdoor Growler Gift Set

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Timbuk2 Foundry Pack

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Away The Daily Carry-On with Pocket

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Yeti Rambler 30 oz Tumbler