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Even when the dad in your life insists he doesn’t want a gift, you might feel like a jerk giving him nothing. Try asking a few questions to figure out why he’s avoiding presents — does he have too much stuff already? Does he hate being in the spotlight while opening a gift? Has he never gotten a gift he’s actually liked? — and decide your strategy from there. If your giftee really, really wants nothing, consider an experiential gift that’s an excuse to spend quality time together, like a trip to the movies, a sports game, or help on a project around the house. But if he’s open to a physical gift, a few rules to follow: nothing huge or difficult to store, nothing jokey or esoteric, and nothing you have trouble imagining him actually using.
To find the best gifts for no-nonsense dads, I went through the Strategist’s deep archive of eminently practical gifts. Most of the items are available on Amazon for quick shipping, but there are a few options at other retailers for those who like to shop around. I’ve organized the list by price, so you can use the table of contents to jump to the section that works best for your budget. And to browse even more ideas for the hard-to-shop-for folks in your life, check out the Strategist Gift Scout.
Update on November 23, 2024: Added products, including a Bookshop gift card, baseball caps, and a smart bird feeder; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Under $25
For the dad who’s the designated box breaker-downer
A sleek and safe utility knife to help him flatten cardboard in no time.
For the dad who never takes a rain check on a hike
If he tells you that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, he’ll love John Wilson’s favorite waterproof notebooks.
For the dad who always needs a charge
Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo bought this keychain charging cord for her husband — the mini USB-C to USB-C cable lets you connect the newest iPhones and iPads, or a pair of Bluetooth headphones, to your laptop or a USB-C port in the car. Though it doesn’t hold a charge itself, it’s a lifesaver for those days when you’re low on juice and just need a simple way to plug in.
For the dad who’s too busy to water the plants
Pair these little terra-cotta cone stakes with an upside-down wine bottle and his plants will become self-watering.
For the dad who’s too busy to tie his shoes
According to Adam Scott, these elastic shoelaces save him seconds a day. So, technically, this is a gift of time.
For the dad who gets teary looking at old photos
Corsillo also recommends this customizable coffee mug, which she gave her husband for his very first Father’s Day. “I was astonished not only by the print quality but the quality of the mug itself — and now we both consider it the best mug in the house,” she says.
For the dad who reads in bed
A small yet powerful book light with a soothing amber glow that’ll let his bedmate sleep.
For the picky dad
A gift card is the best gift for a dad who doesn’t want anything. Two options that show him you didn’t pick it up in the grocery store checkout aisle: Buck Mason’s T-shirts, chinos, and oxford shirts consistently top our lists of menswear basics, and Bookshop allows him to pick out his own gift while supporting independent booksellers.
For the dad who just wants a six-pack
Pair his favorite beer with this gadget, which trims off the tops of cans to turn them into wide-mouth cups.
For the superfan dad
For an immaterial gift, buy a Cameo personalized video from his favorite celebrity. Pick from sports stars, reality-TV characters (there are so many Survivor players), actors, musicians, and more.
Under $100
For the dad with a sore neck
A heated neck and back massager to get out any aches and pains.
For the dad with a sweet tooth
If he loves dessert that’s “not too sweet,” this boxed cake mix that comes with its own mini-bottle of olive oil is almost a perfect gift. Bake it for him to get the rest of the way there.
For the dad who hates shaving
A longtime Strategist favorite, the One Blade has been recommended by professional barbers and stylish men for its ease of use, compact size, and do-everything versatility. You can use it to trim long facial hair, shave down to the skin, or maintain just the right amount of stubble.
For the dad who struggles to unplug
Along with its app, this 3-D-printed gadget allows you to temporarily block access to specific apps and notifications on your phone. Simply tap the physical cube to activate or deactivate your personal screen-time ban.
For the dad with a baseball cap collection
There’s always room for one more, whether he’s a golfer, a Bed-Stuy creative, or a jazz fan.
For the dad with a threadbare tote
Whether he’s going to work or the beach, this sleek and durable black tote bag will be an upgrade.
For the dad who misses paper photo albums
Start a tradition of printing family photo books so he can flip through something other than his phone.
Under $200
For the dad who listens to podcasts while he cooks
This AM/FM radio and Bluetooth speaker is water-resistant allowing it to survive splashes of tomato sauce, coffee, and salad dressing.
For the dad who texts you about the backyard birds
He’ll love this Wi-Fi-enabled bird feeder, which became a hit in Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa’s family group chat.
For the dad who goes on and on about the Maillard reaction
For the dad who’s up all night
A supremely comfortable, high-quality pillow is the ultimate upgrade gift. Our sleep writer has tried dozens of pillows and this is her absolute favorite.
$200 and up
For the dad who always reads the Sunday comics
Kobo’s latest e-reader has a color display that’s awesome for comics, graphic novels, or just highlighting books and articles.
For the dad who takes a million pictures but never looks at them
Aura is the maker of our favorite digital picture frames that are beloved by many a Strategist parent and grandparent. This model is large-format and wall-mountable for an extra-nice-looking display.
For the dad who prefers his coffee iced
An espresso machine that makes cold brew in minutes.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
