Finding amazing dad gift ideas can be a bit of a daunting task, especially if your father is the type of guy who states that he "only wants peace and love" and "a happy household" when you ask him for his Christmas list. My dad, especially, is a bit of a tough cookie to buy gifts for — as a retired man, he truly finds the most joy in the simple things in life, is happy with what he already has, and is rarely curious about gadgets and new technology. That being said, for the first time in years, my dad was the first person who I figured out my gifts for this season, and I feel like this achievement qualifies me to help others who are in a predicament over the best gifts for dad this Christmas.
Dads come in all types — you might have a golf dad who is happy with an annual gift of golf balls and tee time. You might also find yourself in a household with a hunting and fishing dad, who is always in need of new gear for the wilderness. Or, you can have a dad who absolutely loves having a vast collection of DVDs, making himself the new Blockbuster of the block when neighbors are looking for something brand new to watch. No matter where your dad's interests lie, here are a few solid gifts that are guaranteed to make him smile.
1. Roku Streaming Stick
If your dad isn't a gamer, there's a pretty good chance that he doesn't watch his streaming videos through a Playstation like the rest of us. Roku is a fantastic brand that'll help him navigate through Netflix and Hulu menus with ease. Even better, this stick is so tiny that he won't even know it's there, thus preventing him from dealing with a box or system he'll have to make room for on his entertainment center.
Roku Streaming Stick, $99.99, Walmart
2. Kindle Paperwhite
The Paperwhite is seriously life-changing. This little gadget gives you the "feel" of reading a standard paperback, while weighing only a little over seven ounces. If your dad is an avid reader, this will be a fantastic gift. Even better, its built-in backlight will let him stay up to read without waking up mom.
Kindle Paperwhite, From $119.99, Amazon.com
3. Retro Games
While at Target the other day, I noted something pretty amazing on one of the endcaps — retro board games, with the original box artwork. If your dad grew up in the 50s and 60s, he might get a kick out of seeing Sorry! from 1958, or Twister from 1966. Target currently has five games on its website, all priced from $15.99 to $18.99 — might as well collect them all, right?
Retro Boardgames, $15.99-$18.99, Target.com
4. Quirky Cufflinks
When dads get dressed up, they go all out — and a pair of cufflinks for a man is (how I imagine) earrings to be for a lady. Etsy has a bunch of amazing designs, but these Super Spy Cufflinks from Utah-based seller PerfectCufflinks might just be my favorites. If your dad is a big fan of all things Bond, he'll probably get a kick out of these.
Super Spy Cufflinks, $28.88, PerfectCufflinks/Etsy.com
5. Crosley USB/Vinyl Record Player
If your dad likes reminiscing about music from back in the day, this'll be a perfect gift for him. Not only is this player visually stunning, but it's able to play both vinyl records and MP3s — so if your dad is in between formats, he'll get extra use out of it. This item is sold exclusively at Urban Outfitters.
Crosley USB/Vinyl Record Player, $169, Urban Outfitters
6. Mr. Beer Home Brewing System
Is your dad a beer enthusiast? If so, he might be interesting in trying to make his own at home. This gift might as well ignite a hobby that your dad didn't even know he had. This beer kit is perfect for beginners, and includes a two-gallon fermentation keg and 11 reusable bottles to fill with a delightful home brew.
Mr. Beer Premium Edition Home Brewing Craft Beer Kit, $48.19, Amazon.com
7. Draftmark Home Tap System
Dad would rather just have beer waiting for him rather than try to make it himself? Draftmark is the solution. This mini-keg gives dad the draught experience at home, and holds a gallon of your dad's favorite brews. Pick from Budweiser, Shock Top, Goose Island IPA, and Michelob Ultra. Beer will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 30 days.
Draftmark At-Home Tap System, Target, $49.99
8. RazorPit Sharpener
If your dad appreciates a clean shave, he'll love this razor sharpener. Not only will it save him money on blades, but he'll love the fact that he'll be throwing old blades away much less frequently. Plus, not only does this nifty gadget sharpen the blade, but it cleans it as well. Talk about smooth.
RazorPit Men's Razor Blade Sharpener, $14.44, Amazon.com
9. Caffeinated Shaving Cream
As long as you're getting your dad a razor, you might as well get him some shaving cream to go with it. This caffeine-infused version made with natural ingredients by Pacific Shaving Company promises to reduce redness and irritation, meaning no more razor burn.
Caffeinated Shaving Cream And Aftershave Set, $15.99, Pacific Shaving
10. Personalized Docking Station
Does your dad have too much stuff? Is he in need of a manly way to prop his iPhone up to charge? URARTDESIGN over at Etsy offers a beautiful personal docking station that'll even give him a place to store his keys. Since it's handmade with natural wood, your dad will adore the craftsmanship behind it, as well as the convenience it'll bring him.
IPhone 6-6S Personalized Docking Station, $24.00, URARTDESIGN/Etsy
11. Personalized Pocket Knife
Since Christmas is all about awkwardly trying to open heavily taped up boxes in front of the family, a pocket knife might be handy. If you choose this gift for your dad, you might want to make it the first one he opens. This particular knife from donebetter on Etsy is made of wood and stainless steel, and it's absolutely gorgeous.
Personalized Pocket Knife With Wood Handle, $19.99, donebetter/Etsy
12. Canon Wireless Compact Photo Printer
Dad doesn't quite grasp Instagram — he'd rather have copies of photos he can hang on the wall. Get him a wireless photo printer so he can easily relive all his favorite moments, instantly.
CanonWireless Compact Photo Printer, $94.99, Canon
13. The Roosevelts on DVD
I feel like Ken Burns would be best friends with all of our fathers. For some reason, his films seem to intrigue men of a certain age. The Roosevelts is the latest miniseries, airing on PBS in 2014, and would make a fantastic gift if your dad is a major history buff. Plus, if you buy it from PBS directly, they'll throw a free tote bag in the mix.
Ken Burns: 'The Roosevelts: An Intimate History,' $59.99, ShopPBS
14. Firewood Scented Candle
Have you ever smelled a Firewood candle before? It smells absolutely amazing, and my dad agrees — these candles have been featured in his present pile for years now, and have become the Belz Household Signature Christmas Scent. This is a great gift if your dad is without a fireplace, or wants the smell, but doesn't feel like doing the hard work.
Firewood Signature Candle, $30.00, Henri Bendel New York
15. Smart Battery iPhone Charging Case
If dad's phone is constantly out of juice, this is exactly what he needs. Apple's Smart Battery iPhone case won't just protect his phone, it will also help prolong his battery life.
Smart Battery iPhone Charging Case, $99, Apple
16. Nest Thermostat
Baby, it's cold outside. The perfect way to adjust the temperature is with a Nest Thermostat. If you've never heard of the Nest, here's a little introduction: It pretty much learns your schedule based on how you set it, and is way more visually attractive than the common thermostat. Plus, you can set it on your phone. If your dad is into fun, useful gadgets, this gift will definitely be a home run.
Nest Thermostat, $249, Nest.com, Photo Courtesy of Aaron Muszalski/Flickr
17. Stained Glass Ornaments
If your dad loves the look of stained glass, it'll be a nice idea to brighten up his holiday with some pretty ornaments for the tree. Etsy has a few great selections, my favorites being the hand-painted glass birds in the shop of DebbiesShed. She fires these in a kiln, so that they reflect the light beautifully. Even better, these can easy be transferred to a window after the holidays.
Hand Painted Bird Stained Glass Ornaments, $27.85, DebbiesShed/Etsy
18. Keurig 2.0
Can your dad function without caffeine? Can anyone function without caffeine? If your dad is still using a decanter, it might be nice to upgrade him to a Keurig. The basic model (K200) won't totally break the budget, and is available in all kinds of fun colors, from Sandy Pearl to Turquoise. You can find these at any type of appliance store, but by ordering it from the site, you can also pick up some amazing pods easily.
Keurig 2.0 K200 Brewing System, $109.99, Keurig.com
19. Wooden Bottle Opener
If your dad prefers bottles over cans, this would make an excellent gift. WoodChopKC, located in Kansas City, has many beautiful products located in their Etsy shop, fashioned out of walnut, cherry, cedar, or maple wood. These aren't just bottle openers — they're works of art.
Wooden Bottle Opener, $20.00, WoodChopKC/Etsy
20. A Subscription To Blue Apron
Subscription boxes are big, and technically, they're the gift that keeps on giving. Blue Apron would be a good choice for a man who likes to cook, but doesn't have a full kitchen. It's kind of like he's getting a cooking lesson and a wonderful dinner all in one. Your mom is also likely to bonus from this gift.
Plans for two people start at $59.94 per week, but he can cancel at any time, as well as skip deliveries if he feels like it's a good night for takeout.
Blue Apron Subscription, starting at $59.94, BlueApron.com
21. Lagavulin Scotch
Here's a gift that Ron Swanson would approve of. If your dad enjoys sipping on some intense whiskey, consider getting him a top brand. Lagavulin 16 Scotch has been aged for 16 years, and might make his holidays a little more (ahem) "spirited."
Lagavulin Scotch 16, $89.99, BevMo!, Picture Courtesy of Keith McDuffee/Flickr
22. Account To Ancestry.com/AncestryDNA Kit
How do I know this might be a hit with your dad? Well, because I got my dad this kit last year. Since he was sure of his heritage, he figured that I should be the one to send my vial of spit to the labs — I mean, more bang for our buck, right? But then we got the results, and my dad realized that his (pretty well researched) knowledge of his ancestry was slightly off, adding more mystery to the mix. In short, my dad has been asking for a second DNA kit since March 2015, when we got my results back. If your dad is also curious about his heritage, this may just be the perfect present.
Ancestry.Com Account, $19.99 per month. AncestryDNA kit, $89-$99, AncestryDNA.com
23. SodaStream Power
Does your dad like soda? Sparkling water? Energy drinks? Liquid in general? Well, maybe it's time to equip him with a SodaStream. The SodaStream Power might inspire him to stay more hydrated, and will probably save him a ton of money at the grocery store (depending on his soda habits.)
SodaStream Power, $149.99, Soda Stream USA
24. The Suprematism Watch
PROJECTS Watches are known for having super cool designs, but the Suprematism Watch is in its own category of cool. While this watch, which launched this year, would be a great gift for a watch enthusiast, it's also right on the mark for your dad if he's a no-frills man who's into simple art and design.
Suptematism Watch, $140, ProjectsWatches.com
Looking for more awesome holiday ideas? Check out Bustle on YouTube.
