Gifts for Dads Who Don’t Want Anything

While I generally believe it’s best to listen to someone when they tell you they don’t want gifts, I also Discover unique Father’s Day gifts think it’s fine to ignore the “I don’t want anything” schtick just this once. The catch is that, if you’re going to go against their wishes, the gift in question must be especially great. To help you find a gift so thoughtful it will delight even the most no-nonsense dads, I dug into the Strategist archives, polled friends, and asked my husband (a newish dad), as well as my own father, for recommendations.

Below you’ll find gifts that are smart, practical, delicious, and fun for every type of dad. 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.

The Original Stretchlace Elastic Shoelaces
According to Adam Scott, these elastic shoelaces save him seconds a day. So, technically, this is a gift of time.

Gexco Tennis Ball Saver

If he’s been influenced to get back out on the court this summer, he’ll appreciate this pressurized tube (I learned about it from the ACL newsletter) that keeps tennis balls bouncy.

Blumat Classic Plant Watering Stakes

These little cone-shaped stakes will help do it for him.

Nomad ChargeKey
I bought this keychain charging cord for my husband after Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon recommended it: 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 (or long weekends) when you’re low on juice and just need a simple way to plug in.

Slice Auto Retract Box Cutter Utility Knife

A sleek and safe utility knife to help him flatten cardboard in no time.

Classic Customizable Mug, 15 oz

Last year, for my husband’s very first Father’s Day, I ordered this customizable coffee mug with a picture of him and our son, plus the words “Best Dada Ever.” 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.

Hooga Book Light
A discreet yet powerful book light that’ll let his bedmate sleep.

Buck Mason Gift Card

Buck Mason’s T-shirts, chinos, and oxford shirts consistently top our lists of menswear basics.