No more ties and socks, here are 25 unique gifts for dad who wants nothing.
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What is it about dads that makes them impossible to shop for? Or is that just mine? Every Christmas, birthday, and Father’s Day I rack my brain trying to figure out a meaningful gift for my dad but I am always left feeling like I could do better!
This year I decided I’d compile a list of gifts for everyone whose dads want nothing.
How To Celebrate Your Dad’s BirthDay
Maybe the reason it seems our dads don’t want anything is because their love language is time? Supposedly it’s the most popular love language for both genders (my poor boyfriend has to deal with someone whose love language is all 5 though, oops…). Given that time is one of the most common ways we give and receive love, that would be the one of the best gifts for the dad who wants nothing.
Take the day off and focus on spending some quality time with your dad. Here are some fun activities you can enjoy with your dad this year:
- Go fishing! – Check out a new spot with your dad and spend the day fishing.
- Spend the day playing his favorite sport- whether it’s golf, football, or soccer, this will be quality time he’ll never forget.
- Laugh at his jokes (even the corniest ones!)
- Watch his favorite movie! (without scrolling through Insta!)
- Go on a hike – take a day trip to a nearby nature trail!
- Check out a new beach – enjoy a day in the sun with your father!
- Build something together (like this birdhouse)
If you’re unable to be there with him, set up a FaceTime or Zoom call to reminisce about some of your favorite memories together. Pair the call with one of these 25 gift ideas for the dad who wants nothing.
Budget Friendly Gift Ideas For your dad
If you’re tired of getting your dad a tie, try out one of these 13 unique and budget-friendly gifts! (If you’re looking for something homemade, skip to the next section for some DIY gifts for dad!).
- Beer chilling coasters– these coasters are stylish and will keep his beer cool too!
- Wireless charging station– not only does this station charge your phones but it sanitizes them too!
- Portable beer table – this collapsible beer table is perfect for summer nights or beach days! It even comes with a beer opener! Now that I’ve seen this I’m really itching to get this for our Florida beach days…
- Kabob baskets (skewer free!)– these grilling baskets are a great alternative to using skewers! My boyfriend has been grilling kabobs almost every week for the last month- this is a nice sustainable alternative to the wooden skewers we’re currently using!
- Magnetic key rack– your father can stick these onto a light switch by your front door and never lose his keys!
- 365 dad jokes – in case he runs out of his own! Plus he’ll be reminded of how much you love him every day for the next year!
- Book club – monthly book subscription straight to your father’s door! What would be even more special is if you joined in on the book club with him!
- REI membership – for only $25 you can get your dad a lifetime membership to REI! Perfect for planning your next camping trip.
- Board Game- this gift will allow him to make countless memories with your family! My favorite board game right now is Codenames.
- Meat claws– that’s right! There are literal claws your dad can use at his next grilling sesh.
- Bedsheets he won’t have to wash as often– these are infused with silver so they eliminate 99.9% of the bacteria! How innovative!!
- Magnetic glasses holder– your father can stick these on his shirt so he never loses his glasses again!
- Booze making kits – there are kits for everything from gin to wine! I’ve seen plenty of beer making kits before but that limoncello kit is something special!
DIY Gifts for a dad who wants nothing
Now even if your dad has “everything he needs”, he certainly could always use another homemade creation by you. Homemade and DIY gifts are my favorite because A) they’re cheap and B) they’re filled with effort and love. These 12 unique DIY options are perfect for surprising your dad!
- Homemade cooking oil (infused with peppers)- what a unique idea! Plus he’ll be reminded of you every time he cooks!
- DIY shaving cream– this is another great gift that he can use every single day! And you can infuse it with his favorite scents!
- Homemade card– you can never go wrong with a thoughtful card. Be sure to include a meaningful message in it! You can even take it one step further with this 3D version!
- Mini toolbox for nails & screws – these are so cute! They took old Altoid mint tins and repurposed them into mini “toolboxes” for nails and screws!
- Summer BBQ together– recreate any of these incredible summer BBQ recipes and either cook together or surprise your dad with a feast!
- Help with yard work for a month– if you’re not personally able to take over yard work, then hire a landscaper for a month to give your dad a break!
- DIY Cornhole board – great addition for future BBQs and tailgating!
- Make a mix CD or Spotify playlist with his favorite music – I used to make mix CDs as gifts for friends and family often and it was so fun! I spent lots of time trying to find the perfect songs for them and ones that conveyed how much the person meant to me.
- Take a few minutes to learn about what he loves – read his favorite book, watch a documentary about his favorite sports team etc. Your father will love being able to discuss his passions with you.
- Organize – whether it’s his office, work bench, or car, he will be grateful for a neat and organized space!
- Homemade beer coasters – get crafty with these coasters! They’ll be a perfect addition to his man cave.
- DIY remote holders– make custom remote holders for your couch!
Be sure to save these unique gift ideas for next year on Pinterest, and share the ideas with your family and friends who are in need of some inspiration!