This gift guide has been editorially created, selected and chosen by multiple gifting editors at Brostrick, including men’s style and grooming editor Beau Hayhoe, gifting editor Jen Belanger, and Brostrick founder and style guy, Patrick Varone.
The age-old question persists: What to get the man who has everything? The best gifts for Dad or for the father figure in your life need to hit the sweet spot: Personal, intriguing, up for anything, useful, wise, stylish and even a touch daring. As Dad might say, to catch a big fish, you need to venture into deep water: Consider this advice accordingly as you shop for the best gifts for Dad.
And yet, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach: Perhaps Dad is a grillmaster, or maybe he’s an avid golfer, a devout hiker, a dedicated runner, a whiskey aficionado. Perhaps in some way, shape or form, he’s all of these at once. Like I said: Shopping for the best gifts for Dad is no easy feat, yet these picks just might help make things a touch easier on you.
Here’s another good rule of thumb that I like to follow: If it’s something you yourself like, and if it’s something you can see Dad enjoying in a similar fashion, go ahead and pull that trigger. The best gifts for Dad rise to the occasion handily.
BROSTRICK'S REVIEW CRITERIA
UTILITY
Most dads, it seem, prize things that are seriously useful and perhaps a touch unexpected. That could mean a set of golf clubs as easily as it could mean a durable tool kit, or even handy trinkets like a versatile pocket knife, a humidor or a cigar cutter. A bottle stopper for a favorite decanter? Yes, that works as well. We looked at form and function equally.
AFFORDABILITY
It’s always a nice touch to splurge on a gift, especially one of the best gifts for Dad. Yet, shopping on a (relative) budget should stay close to the forefront. Now, we’re not saying to entirely skimp on a gift for Dad – far from it. But finding a bargain that also delivers some bang for your buck is about as good as it gets when gift-giving.
THE "COOL" FACTOR
This is harder to define than others, as “cool” means a lot to a lot of different folks (Dads very much included). But like I said above, if you yourself find a product seriously cool, and if your pops comes to mind right away when you see it – whether “it” is a handsome watch or a stylish coffee table book – then it’s got that indefinable “cool” factor. Shop accordingly.
OUR BEST DAD GIFT WINNERS
Q Timex Velocity 1971 Reissue
best for the watch nerd
PROS
- Highly affordable watch with plenty of style
- Retro design looks great with many different looks
CONS
- Watch features a less pricey quartz movement
Does your Dad have a thing for watches? As in, he can’t seem to get enough when it comes to stylish additions to his wrist game? Here’s just what the doctor ordered: A retro-inspired timepiece with sporty, speedy appeal and a cool-as-can-be design.
Adorned with a useful rubber strap, it’s a watch seemingly designed to be made for long drives, and as Timex says, it’s a “revved-up classic.” Even better? I can’t help but love the highly affordable price – it’s no Rolex, Tudor or even Shinola, but every man’s wrist game collection deserves variety, and this fits the bill nicely for Dad.
Line of Trade Slim Wallet
best for more cards, less cash
PROS
- Stylish leather wallet with compact & useful design
- Space for up to 15 cards for exceptional utility
CONS
- Some dads might prefer a more traditional billfold
- May prefer an even more sleek money clip instead of a slim wallet
Does Dad have his wallet down to a science? Does he obsess over his everyday carry? Or could he perhaps use a more streamlined wallet with so much, well, stuff in it? While it might be a hard habit to break, Line of Trade does its parts to help dads (and stylish guys) everywhere, putting this handsome, effective leather wallet out into the universe in the process. In fact, this wallet is deceptive in terms of its design – it features space for up to 15 cards, so Dad never misses a beat on the go.
Hoto Tools Brushless Drill Tool Kit
best for the tool guy
PROS
- Compact design filled with highly useful tools
- Minimalist look adds variety to his tool collection
CONS
- Some might prefer a more traditional set of tools
Is it cliche to get dad a set of tools as a gift? Perhaps, but that’s because not all tool sets are as well-designed or – dare we say – cool as this one from Hoto Tools. There are uses aplenty in this tool kit, which packs a ton into a compact package. It’s also on sale at the moment, and boasts a minimalist design that’ll still stand out in dad’s workshop or garage bench set-up. Does it get any better than that?
Whiskey Peaks Half-Dome Decanter
perfect for the whiskey lover
PROS
- Distinctive decanter with outdoor-inspired design
- Fairly priced at Huckberry, a highly trusted retailer
CONS
- Might not fit with the aesthetic of every dad’s bar cart
For the whiskey-loving dad, a great decanter is a nice change of pace amongst the bottles of a well-stocked bar cart. Better still is the fact that this rugged-meets-refined decanter pays tribute to Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome, a nice touch sure to appease the outdoor-minded dad. And while we can’t guarantee the whiskey he’ll put in it will be affordable, this option from Huckberry (also sold on Amazon) is fairly priced and a surefire conversation starter.
Todd Snyder Denim Shirt in Indigo
perfect for the stylish dad
PROS
- Casually rugged shirt that upgrades his post-work style
- Rich indigo color goes with plenty of wardrobe essentials
CONS
- Might not fit with every dad’s personal sense of style
- Priced expensively for a more casual buttondown shirt
If Dad’s shirting wardrobe needs a bit of an upgrade, or rather, a change from the dress shirts he relies on for his 9-to-5, it’s very hard indeed to go wrong with a shirt from acclaimed American menswear designer Todd Snyder. In fact, I’d venture to say that every dad can look great wearing a rugged denim shirt (just look at guys like Matthew McConaughey and Josh Brolin, for instance).
This shirt has an air of casual cool, and can be worn with black jeans or even olive or tan chinos. Plus, it layers up easily over a henley or under a shawl cardigan, and it’ll give Dad’s off-duty style a shot in the arm.
Snake River Farms First Class Filet Pack
perfect for the steak lover
PROS
- High-quality cuts of meat delivered to his door
- The sort of gift the whole family can enjoy
CONS
- Expensive compared to ordering, say, a single steak dinner at a steakhouse
Give Dad another reason to fire up the grill for Father’s Day and beyond with a truly ingenious set of out-of-this-world filets from Snake River Farms. Seriously, in my experience, these cuts are among the best of the best in terms of steak you can get delivered to your door.
And while it’s a bit of a splurge price-wise, these cuts are sure to prove a hit with Dad. Best of all is the fact that, if you’re lucky, your pops will set aside some for you as he grills up these excellent steaks.
Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket
perfect for the rugged dad
PROS
- Handsome jacket with old-school design inspiration top of mind
- A best-seller from Huckberry, with color and fit options aplenty
CONS
- Might not fit every Dad’s sense of personal style
- Flannel lining is too hot for more warm or temperate climates
Here’s the perfect gift for the rugged, outdoors-y dad – or at least, the dad who enjoys getting out in nature or hanging around by a bonfire in his off-duty hours. This handsome waxed trucker jacket is a certified modern style classic – Huckberry and Flint and Tinder modeled after old-school, open-road trucker jackets, then crafted it from durable sailcloth fabric. The fabric repels wind and water, it breaks in with every wear and it gets better with age. And its flannel lining is warm as can be all year long. It just might become Dad’s new favorite jacket.
Halfday Premium Garment Duffel
perfect for the weekender
PROS
- Nicely sized duffel that also doubles as a useful garment bag
- Available in neutral colors for versatile travel style
CONS
- Some may prefer a more traditional garment bag or carry-on bag
- Some might might prefer a bag with more space
Give Dad’s carry-on game a serious upgrade, one that packs in plenty of utility alongside a sleek, TSA-approved design. This duffel bag is ideal for weekend jaunts and even overnight business trips – yes, business trips, as it also unzips into a seriously useful garment bag inside.
Simply guide Dad through the paces of adding blazers or suits to the interior garment bag itself, then allow him to pack up the rest of this incredibly cool duffel bag with all the trappings of versatile style. As for me, I might not be a dad, but this is my go-to travel bag – it does everything I need it to do, and then some.
Taylor Stitch Valet Tray
perfect for getting organized
PROS
- Eye-catching valet tray made with rich craftsmanship
- Extremely useful for holding valuables, from a wallet to a pocket knife
CONS
- Fairly expensive for a valet tray
Speaking of dad’s everyday carry (as well as your own), every guy needs a place to store those handy daily essentials. And since your pops might as well have the best, invest in this remarkably handsome, stylish valet tray.
It functions as a catch-all for keys, a wallet, a bottle opener, a pocket knife, AirPods and then some. It also hails from the design minds at Taylor Stitch, an expert source for modern takes on the classics (feel free to pick up your dad a stylish flannel shirt or some crisply cut chinos, too). This valet tray also hits the “cool factor” I talked about earlier, and I can’t help but appreciate that.
James Bond Destinations – Coffee Table Book
perfect for the 007 dad
PROS
- Premium coffee table book from a respected publisher
- Made with a highly detailed look into the world of James Bond
CONS
- Expensive price tag for a book to give as a gift
Is Dad a serious James Bond buff? Give him the gift of 007 in the coolest way possible – well, not quite as cool as a trip to an exotic, James Bond-approved locale, but the next best thing. This lavish, extremely cool coffee table book is a personal favorite of mine, and always invites both intrigue and compliments aplenty (not unlike both James Bond and Dad himself). It’s a welcome addition to any den or office, and an ultra-premium look inside the world of everyone’s favorite secret agent.
YETI Rambler Colster Beer Can Insulator
Great for keeping beers cold
PROS
- Keeps his beer nice and cold for hours
- Finally dishwasher safe
- The colster doesn't sweat, keeping hands dry
CONS
- Doesn't float, so hold onto it in the pool or lake
If he loves his beers and wants to keep them nice and cold the entire time he’s sipping, your father will fall in love with this can insulator from our favorite brand, YETI. Unlike some other brands, you can actually toss this one right in the dishwasher after use.
I own this one in their maroon version from a few years ago and have personally gifted the navy blue one and the one in seafoam green. They’ll keep his beverages cold for a hours, not that he’ll be sipping his beer for that long, is scratch resistant, and is designed to not sweat – keeping your hands nice and dry. While the 12 ounce size fits most standard cans, I’ve also been able to put a beer bottle inside too – it jiggles a little, but still does the trick.
Vintage-Style "Dad Bod" Tee
Great for any dad
PROS
- Comfy 100% cotton tee
- Perfectly priced for a t-shirt gift
- Worn vintage look is currently on-trend
CONS
- 100% cotton so could shrink a bit if you dry it
- May not be "funny" if your dad is self-conscious about his body
Gotta love a dad bod and, if you have a dad, he most likely has one. The perfect gift for the guy who has a good sense of humor about where his body is currently at, but still showing his pride for a healthy and positive body image.
This 100% cotton comfy tee comes in a variety of colors and the printed “dad bod” looks worn and vintage, just like most dads!
Dior "Sauvage" Cologne
Great all year round fragrance
PROS
- Smells amazing & is timeless
- Can be worn all year round
- Current best selling cologne this year
CONS
- A lot of guys own it, so not overly unique
- Scent is personal, so dad may want to choose his own
If your father still has is Old Spice cologne sitting on his dresser ever since 1982, it may be time for a major fragrance upgrade.
One of my personal favorite colognes of the year, Dior Sauvage is, yet again, one of the top selling men’s fragrances since it’s pretty timeless and is considered a modern take on the classic men’s cologne. It has a fresh, spicy, and woody scent with notes of bergamot, pepper, lavender, elemi, and ambroxan.
So many guys (and gals) love it due to its attractive and well-balanced scent, which appeals to a wide range of men. It has a fresh and crisp opening, with a warm and spicy heart, and a woody and slightly sweet dry down, making it a versatile and timeless fragrance.
Corksicle Whiskey Wedge
best for the whiskey aficionado
PROS
- Keeps whiskey chilled without diluting
- Easy to use
CONS
- Lasts only for one drink, so you may need more than 1
Perfect for whiskey loving dads, this top seller from Corksicle will keep his whiskey nice and cold without diluting it too quickly, like regular ice can do.
This gift set comes with the whiskey glass and the silicone slanted ice mold. All dad has to do is fill the ice mold, freeze it, and then pour his favorite whiskey or bourbon (yes, there’s a difference), sip, and enjoy.
Ninja Outdoor Pizza Oven
perfect for the pizza loving dad
PROS
- Affordable outdoor pizza maker option
- 8-in-1 oven for so much more than just pizza
CONS
- Heats up to 700-degrees, while some other brands go up to 900-degrees
I’ve covered a variety of outdoor pizza ovens here at Brostrick for a few years now, including the Solo Stove Pi pizza oven and the Ooni pizza oven. And while I do love both, I found this new one from Ninja to be the best priced option and similar in features as the others mentioned above.
While this is an outdoor pizza oven, it’s also an 8-in-1 that can broil, bake, speciality roast, dehydrate and more. Your dad can even choose from 5 different pizza styles based on his own personal preferences like thin crust, Neapolitan, NY-style and more.
