Over the previous ten years, friends have told me that I have a lot of dad energy, and becoming a real dad only made it worse. As a father, I’ve also heard that dads—including myself—can be rather difficult to buy presents for. I understand. When people ask me what I want, I normally respond that I’m fine or return a few days later with a really specific item, like a cycle bottle or a 100-watt USB-C cord.
I’ve produced gift guides for years and have gathered gift ideas from a variety of areas, including things I’ve previously given to my dad, even though I can’t read your father figure’s mind and suggest anything that will appeal to his precise niche.
SKIP AHEAD: Top tech presents, top travel presents, top home presents, top fitness presents, top clothing presents, top kitchen presents, top outdoor presents, and reasons to trust NBC Select.
Selected.
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Best overallApple AirTag
$24.00$29.00Amazon
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Best for fitness loversTheragun Relief
$119.00$149.00Amazon
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Best drinkware giftYeti Rambler 30oz Tumbler
$28.00$35.00Amazon
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Best outdoor giftVictorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Pocket Knife
$42.46$45.00Amazon
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Found: the perfect gift for every type of mom out there
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Best tech gifts for dad
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2
These are some of the best wireless earbuds available for those who use a MacBook or iPhone. According to NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin, there’s a 99 percent likelihood that my dad wears them in his ears during the workweek between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. These earbuds perform exceptionally well in almost every scenario our team has tested them in, including airline noise and barking dogs.
JBL Clip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Clip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Clip 5 is our top pick for an outdoor speaker if your father figure is looking for one. He can attach it to practically anything with its built-in carabiner, including a filing cabinet, exercise bike, backpack, baggage, and shower curtain rod. According to the company, it is also IP67 water and dust proof, and we have had no issues using it at pool parties at the beach.
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Dads who enjoy taking notes in the margins of books and documents will love the Kindle Scribeis, which is a hybrid notebook and reader. Like other Kindles, it offers a bright, glare-free screen and a 12-week battery life, making it a great device for reading. It also includes a stylus for writing notes, signing documents, and other tasks. According to Rebecca Rodriguez, the editorial projects manager at NBC Select, who got a sample from Amazon, the pen is incredibly responsive and feels just like writing on paper.
Best travel gifts for dad
L.L. Bean Boat and Tote
L.L. Bean Boat and Tote
One of our favorite all-purpose bags is this one. He needs a weekend bag, a beach bag, a grocery tote, or anything else. “I’m always shocked by how much it can hold,” says Lindsay Schneider, editor of commerce for NBC Select. A monogram or name up to ten letters long can be added to the tote to make it uniquely yours; however, please allow additional time for shipping. There are two strap lengths and four sizes available, along with an azippered top variant.
Yeti Rambler 30oz Tumbler
Yeti Rambler 30oz Tumbler
One of our favorite tumblers is the Yeti Rambler, a double-walled vacuum-insulated cup that maintains beverages at the ideal temperature for hours. For an extra cost, you may personalize the tumbler with a monogram, text, or image if you buy it from Yeti’s website. According to Malin, my dad must now own at least a dozen personalized Yetis. He packed and wrapped each one like a valuable item when he moved.
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
Rodriguez got her father this roomy and useful backpack. Rodriguez claims that he went out and got her a bag as well because he and his mother would frequently quarrel over who would get to use it on their trips. According to the brand, it is composed of neoprene fabric, which is shock-absorbent, insulating, and water-resistant. There are four sizes and more than ten colors available (Rodriguez gave the large).
Apple AirTag
Apple AirTag
For the holidays, I’ve given this Apple AirTag to my parents and other people, and they always find a useful application for it. It is a Bluetooth tracker that displays its exact location using the Apple sFindMyapp. In my parent’s home, the AirTag has located numerous misplaced keychains, crossbody bags, and other items.
However, there is no case included. Think about including something like this Belkin AirTag case in their gift if they wish to attach it to their backpack or luggage.
Field Notes Memo Book (3-Pack), National Parks Series
Field Notes: National Parks Series
For years, I’ve taken notes at home and at work using Field Notes memo books. They contain high-quality paper that doesn’t bleed through and are just the right size to fit in any bag or back pocket. Although a plain black version is also available, each book features stunning cover art of U.S. national parks.
Best home gifts for dad
ExcelMark Custom Engraved Nameplate
ExcelMark Custom Engraved Nameplate
“I adore the vintage charm this nameplate brings to my desk,” says Cory Fernandez, editor of commerce for NBC Select. The wording, subtext, and color can all be customized, and the plating is available in gold and silver. It’s not the greatest last-minute choice because the customizing process takes several days.
Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Water Bottle
Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Water Bottle
When I’m at home, I don’t drink enough water. I have a reusable bottle, but I frequently leave it somewhere and forget about it for hours. My hydration problems were resolved when I acquired several Hydro Flask bottles. I have one beside my bedside table and one at my desk. In my experience, this 32-ounce version carries enough to be practical without being heavy, and it maintains drinks at a consistent temperature for hours. It also works with the brand’s wide range of options. Ordering from Hydro Flask’s website entitles you to a personalized text engraving (at an extra cost).
Loop Dream Earplugs
Loop Dream Earplugs
For many of our employees, Loop earplugs are the key to sleeping despite the cacophony of New York City, therefore we strongly recommend them if they have trouble getting (and staying) asleep due to noise. According to the firm, the Dream earplugs are designed especially for sleeping, with ear tips consisting of soft foam and silicone that are kind to the ear.
Amazon Gift Card
Amazon Gift Card
Receiving a gift card to Amazon has never made me unhappy. Seeing a gift fund balance on my account always makes me happy and grateful to the person who made it possible. Every dad I know, including myself, is always purchasing small essentials and luxuries from the storefront. The gift card can be obtained as a digital code or as a physical card.
Best fitness gifts for dad
Theragun Relief
Theragun Relief
Each time I give a massage gun as a gift, everyone in the group wants to give it a try. I can easily reach hard-to-reach places like my mid-back and shoulder blades using this Theragun one’s triangle grip. Additionally, it is easy to use: a single button controls the massage speed and turns it on and off.
Brooks Ghost 16 Running Shoes
Brooks Ghost 16 Running Shoes
One of my favorite shoes for running and walking is the Brooks Ghost 16, which I suggest to anyone searching for a sturdy, comfortable fit. It features a sturdy, shock-absorbing sole and sufficient arch support that is both practical and unobtrusive. You may be confident that his size is available because it comes in a variety of widths and sizes.
Best apparel gifts for dad
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
Over the years, I’ve given and gotten a ton of Carhartt beanies, and I always get excited when I get a new color to add to my collection. The Carhartt emblem is prominently shown on the foldable cuff design of this acrylic rib knit item. It is available in over twenty colors and one universal size.
Blundstone 587 Round Toe Chelsea Boot
Blundstone 587 Round Toe Chelsea Boot
These boots are essentially my second skin in the cold; I’m always on my feet and prepared for anything. They pair well with almost any outfit, and are so much easier to pull on and off than any other boot I own. The shoe features a cushioned midsole for enhanced comfort and is constructed from water-resistant leather.
Best kitchen gifts for dad
Atlas Coffee Club Coffee Subscription
Atlas Coffee Club subscription
If he needs fresh beans or wants to try purposefully ground blends for espresso or pour over, an Atlas Coffee Club subscription is for him. Jordan Bowman, editor of NBC Select commerce, reviewed it and sampled exotic blends from Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and India. (The brand sent him three bags of ground coffee as part of a three month subscription). You can gift a three- to 12-month subscription of whole, ground or pod compatible coffee, with surprise beans or emails ahead of time where he can choose his preferences.
Our Place Daily Cutting Board
Our Place Daily Cutting Board
One of those items that my dad often promises to repair but never manages to do is cutting boards. This simple, dishwasher-safe cutting board comes from one of our favorite kitchen brandsOur Place. It s a little over 15 inches long and 10 inches wide, and has non-slip sides.
Fly By Jing Variety Pack
Fly By Jing Triple Threat Variety Pack
Fly By Jing is one of our favoriteAAPI-owned food brands, and with this variety set he ll get a jar of theSichuan Chili Crisp, a sweet and savoryZhong Sauceand extra crunchyChengdu Crunch. I m not usually a spicy food person, but putting a little of the Chili Crisp sauce on my home eggs, toast or salmon adds a crunch and kick that is just perfect, says Malin.
Best outdoor gifts for dad
Goodr OG Sunglasses
Goodr OG Sunglasses
Walking, running, hiking, biking or just hanging out on a sunny day, these Goodr sunglasses won t go flying off his face thanks to the grippy, rubberized finish. I can wear these sunglasses on 10-mile runs and never have to adjust them, says Malin. They re also not very pricey he won t have to worry if they get a little beat up in a bag or on a weekend getaway.
Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Pocket Knife
Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Pocket Knife
My dad has a habit of gifting me pocket knives and multitools, and while I don t think of myself as a pocket-knife kind of dad, I somehow end up using them almost daily around the house. Opening packages, cutting bags, tweezing splinters, this multitool from Victorinox tackles lots of jobs around my apartment.
Celestron Nature DX 8×42 Binoculars
Celestron Nature DX 8×42 Binoculars
If he has any interest in birds, wildlife or just spotting faraway buildings and landscapes, this pair of binoculars has helped me handle all three with ease. They re easy to adjust to your eyes and face shape, in my experience, and easy to handle thanks to the rubber and plastic casing. The lenses have an eight-time magnification and can focus as close as 6.5 feet.
Solo Stove Mesa Fire Pit
Solo Stove Mesa Fire Pit
This tabletop fire pit can help bring a warm focal point to his outdoor space, and is small enough to move and store easily. It s about seven inches tall and five inches across, and you can personalize it with his favorite sports team or a custom message if purchased directly fromSolo Stove(for an additional fee). The stove requiresfirewoodorpellets, which are sold separately.
Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder
Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder
Abird feederis a great way to get colorful visitors soaring towards Dad s house. This smart bird feeder automatically records birds as they visit the feeder. The Birdfy app sends a notification when a bird is in view, and he can open it to watch a live video feed, or check saved clips later. The camera isIP65weatherproof so dust, rain and snow shouldn t cause any issues, plus it comes with a solar panel for renewable power.
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Why trust NBC Select?
I m areporterwho frequently covers technology and fitness, where I ve written about the bestfitness trackers,wireless earbuds,TV brandsand more. For this article, I curated gifts using my first-hand experience as a new dad, as well as NBC Select staff picks, and top-rated items from previous coverage.
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