40 Gifts for Dads and Fathers-in-Law

It's the thought that counts when it comes to surprising your dad with a special treat for Father's Day, the holidays, his birthday, or the big day—also known as your wedding day. But it can be tricky to find gifts that he'll actually like, not to mention presents that he doesn't already have. Whether you're intent on showing your dad how much he means to you, or you're trying to impress your current or future father-in-law, we know how stressful the search for the ultimate present can be. When in doubt, look for items that fall in the sweet spot between sentimental and practical.

Don't discount the power of a truly cool present: Whether your dad or FIL is into sports or gear, books, or craft beer, there's something that speaks to his interests out there, and we're here to help you find it. Before you start shopping, consult this list, which is composed of creative, meaningful, and useful goodies. For the home chef, you'll find must-haves for cooking in the kitchen or on the grill. Is he more of a tech guy? The latest gadgets will surely win him over. There are options for athletic types, food- and wine-lovers, businessmen, travelers, and guys with a whole bunch of other hobbies and lifestyles, too.

To help you put a smile on his face—and something he will cherish in his hands—we've rounded up some of our favorite gift ideas for dads and fathers-in-law. Consider this your ultimate guide to shopping for the (other) guys in your life, no matter the occasion.

Make sure your dad or father-in-law knows all the facts about his favorite sports team. This customized book, courtesy of the New York Times, allows him to retrace the history of his favorite football team through reprinted newspaper pages. If he's not a huge fan of this game, don't worry. Other history options include baseball, WWII, and space.

New York Times Football History Book, $80, store.nytimes.com.

Novice bird watchers and pros alike will love this copper bird feeder. With four different feeding ports, he'll be able to invite tons of different species to his yard for viewing.

Martha Stewart Copper Bird Feeder, $49.99, amazon.com.

Thanks to a new partnership between the Tie Bar and Destination Hotels, your dad can take home a tangible memory from his favorite location. This one, from Maine's Cliff House, celebrates classic New England style. The catch: Items are only available at each of the six properties (L'Auberge del Mar, Terranea Resort, the Carolina Inn, Woodmark Hotel & Spa, Cliff House Maine, and Manor Vail Lodge).

The Tie Bar x Destination Hotels Capsule Collection, starting at $8, thetiebar.com.

Thank your dad for all he's done for you with a bottle of the good stuff. This single malt whisky has been aged for 21 years, resulting in a sweet flavor with notes of vanilla, toffee, and fig.

Glenfiddich 21 Year Single Malt Whisky, $179.99, glenfiddich.com.

Waking up in the morning is way easier when you've got a cool, modern alarm clock on your bedside table.

MoMA Color Cube Clock, $30, store.moma.org.

For the dad who's serious about his morning cup of coffee, only home-ground beans will do. This manual tool allows him to choose his preferred grind—espresso, aeropress, pour over, chemex, cold brew, and French press—and the airtight container means his joe will stay fresh all week long.

Eparé Manual Coffee Grinder, $49.95, epare.com.

If nothing is ever hot enough for your dad, this hot sauce hit will blow him away—literally.

Burn "The Golden Collection" Hot Sauce Set, $40, burnhotsauce.com.

If he's a whiskey aficionado, you can't go wrong with one of these crates, which arrives stocked with everything he needs to enjoy a glass: a decanter, rocks glasses, ice molds, coasters, peanuts, pistachios, and pecans.

Man Crates "Whiskey Appreciation" Crate, $179.99, mancrates.com.

Your dad may love to camp, but that doesn't mean he wants to rough it. This tri-leg leather stool brings sophistication to the outdoors.

Orvis Tri-Leg Leather Seat Camp Stool, $198, orvis.com.

Uncork a bottle of wine and break out this cheese course to enjoy together. A gift that helps you two create memories is a winner in our opinion.

Knack "The Cheese Course" Set, $75, knackshops.com.

Whether your dad loves to go camping, wants to relax at the beach, or spends every weekend tailgating, this cooler is a must-have. Thanks to it's unique insulation, it keeps food and drinks cold for days.

YETI "Tundra 45" Cooler, $300, rei.com.

This rain-resistant duffle is durable and stylish, making it ideal for anything from weekend vacations to business trips. It also meets maximum airline carry-on restrictions, to prevent any travel hassles.

Filson "Rugged Twill Medium Duffle" Bag, $395, filson.com. 

Encourage Dad to eat his veggies with this delicious cookbook of recipes.

"Martha Stewart's Vegetables: Inspired Recipes and Tips for Choosing, Cooking, and Enjoying the Freshest Seasonal Flavors" Book, $17.99, amazon.com.

Upgrade his beloved grill with this handy gadget. One party light, one part bluetooth speaker, this gift will give your dad everything he needs to cook like a pro.

Charcoal Companion "Sound Beam Grill Speaker," $42.49, bloomingdales.com.

If his vinyl collection is growing dust, it's time for a brand-new record player. This sleek option will look great in any room in the house.

Audio Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable, $89, barnesandnoble.com.

Give your dad these Belgian chocolate-covered potato chips, which are salty and sweet. They're guaranteed to become his new not-so-guilty pleasure.

Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate-Covered Potato Chips, $30, dylanscandybar.com.

These cool wool throws are inspired by vintage maps, and spotlight some major cities. Pick the one that's closest to his heart for a meaningful gift he can snuggle up with.

Faribault Woolen Mill Map Throw, $200, faribaultmill.com.

Help your dad master his golf game with this amazing GPS watch. It shows wearers important course information, like maps, distances, and hazards. Splurge for the model with premium materials—specifically, a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel and leather band.

Garmin "Approach S60" Watch, $499.99, garmin.com.

If your dad loves Siri, he'll adore the Google Home Mini. The electronic assistant comes in different colors and provides hands-free help in a flash.

Google "Home Mini" Smart Speaker, $49, store.google.com.

If your dad hasn't heard of Liberty London, it's time to introduce him. The historic brand is known for its stylish floral ties, which are classy and backed by the retailer's legacy.

Liberty London "Phoebe" Tie, $101.89, libertylondon.com.

These fashionable glasses were designed with whiskey fans in mind. The shape fits perfectly in the hand and optimizes flavor and aroma.

Normann Copenhagen Whiskey Glasses, $55 for set of two, normann-copenhagen.com.

Give him a Tile for his keychain (or anything else he loses frequently), and he'll be worry-free for an entire year. The gadget is tracked on a phone app, meaning he'll be able to find whatever it's connected to. This version is extra durable, and great for outdoorsy types or those who perform manual labor.

Tile "Sport" Bluetooth Tracker, $30, thetileapp.com.

For the ultimate techie dad, look no further than Griffin's USB charging station. He'll be able to juice up five smartphones or tablets at once, meaning your dad (or your entire family!) will never be without power.

Griffin "PowerDock Pro" USB Charging Station, $129.99, griffintechnology.com.

Give him the gift of ultra-smooth skin with this personalized starter kit from Harry's. You can even include a custom engraving.

Harry's "Winston" Shaving Set, starting at $25, harrys.com.

Upgrade his bar with these sharp coasters, which feature needlepoint designs of some of his favorite drinks. They also come with a coordinated wooden holder.

Smathers & Branson "Gentlemen's Drinks" Coasters, $75 for set of four, smathersandbranson.com.

If you're looking for something fun and extra luxurious, try this travel set of dominoes, stored in a leather bag.

Smythson "Mara" Dominoes Set, $775, smythson.com. 

Forget skewers. These kabob baskets will help him flip veggies with ease.

Uncommon Goods Kabob Grilling Baskets Set of Four, $17, uncommongoods.com.

Telling time has never looked better. Your dad will be perpetually early thanks to this rose-gold and alligator stunner.

Buccellati "Ornatino" Watch, price upon request, buccellati.com.

Gift your beloved card shark this tournament-quality poker set, packed up in a solid wooden chest. With two sets of cards, a pair of dice, and four trays of chips, you can get the whole family in on a game.

Restoration Hardware "Deluxe Poker" Set, $295, restorationhardware.com.

Flowers are not just for the women in your life, especially not when they're made out of delicious beef jerky! Send your dad a bundle of edible roses or daisies in either original, peppered, teriyaki, or mixed for a gift he'll—literally—eat up.

Say It With Beef Beef-Jerky Roses," $53, sayitwithbeef.com.

This boozy chocolate torte is sure to win over even the biggest sweet tooth. Laced with real Kentucky bourbon, this decadent chocolate dessert is topped with a layer of pecans and finished with a gooey caramel-bourbon sauce. Consider dessert covered.

Matthews 1812 House Chocolate-Bourbon-Peacn Torte, $39, 1812house.com.

Help your dad become the greatest at-home chef with this super-smart thermometer. Time mains, sides, and dessert, then keep track of the progress on your smartphone or tablet.

Williams Sonoma "2" Smart Thermometer, $89.95, williamssonoma.com.

These lambskin cashmere gloves are stylish and will keep his hands warm all year long.

Brooks Brothers Cashmere-Lined Gloves, $148, brooksbrothers.com.

Mount Gay Rum has been around for hundreds of years, so you know you can trust it. The 1703 old cask selection is made from Mount Gay's oldest reserves and tastes like a balance of caramel, spice, and toast. 

Mount Gay Rum "1703 Old Cask Selection" Rum, $179.95, winechateau.com.

If he's an Old Fashioned type of guy, you've found his gift. Created to give a high quality cocktail experience at home, these syrups (traditional, maple bacon, pecan) will enhance his go-to drink into something even better.

Proof Cocktail-Syrup Set, $65, proofsyrup.com.

With this gift, you'll hit a bull's-eye.

Best Made Company "Belgian" Dart Set, $158, bestmadeco.com.

Indulge his inner Inspector Gadget with this smart photography drone.

DJI "Phantom 4 Advanced" Photography Drone, from $1,199, store.dji.com.

This classic decanter will bring a dose of speakeasy style to his liquor cabinet.

Waterford "Elegance" Decanter, $160, waterford.com.

Personalize this distressed-leather travel kit for dad with a complimentary embossed monogram.
 

J.W. Hulme Co. Travel Kit, $275, jwhulmeco.com.