27 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 the holidays, Father's Day, 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 father-in-law 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.

Any man will tell you that a great shave is hard to achieve, so a gift that includes all the essentials he needs for a smooth, burn-free face is bound to be well-received. This option's incredible scent makes it all the more exciting.

Shop Now: The Art of Shaving Sandalwood 4 Elements Shaving Kit with Pure Shaving Brush, $120, theartofshaving.com.

Does your dad do his very best to stay on top of the latest tech trends? Then this gift is for him. An outdoor smart camera that alerts him when someone or something enters his property is bound to be his new favorite toy.

Shop Now Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera, $289.99. amazon.com.

At the end of a long day, there's just nothing like coming home and sliding on a pair of cozy slippers. He'll love this warm micro-mink pair.

Shop Now: Riley Micro-Mink Moccasins, $49, rileyhome.com.

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

Shop Now: Red Clay Hot Sauce "The Whole Shebang" Set, $46, redclayhotsauce.com.

Especially handy for anyone who travels frequently, a good dopp kit will help him stay organized at home or on the go.

Shop Now: Italic "Miles" Leather Dopp Kit, $125, italic.com.

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.

Shop Now: 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.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Copper Bird Feeder, $51.68, amazon.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.

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

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.

Shop Now: Eparé Manual Coffee Grinder, $49.95, epare.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.

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

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

Shop Now: "Martha Stewart's Vegetables: Inspired Recipes and Tips for Choosing, Cooking, and Enjoying the Freshest Seasonal Flavors" Book, $14.34, 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.

Shop Now: Charcoal Companion "Sound Beam Grill Speaker," $42.49, bloomingdales.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.

Shop Now: Filson "Rugged Twill Medium Duffle" Bag, $395, filson.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.

Shop Now: YETI "Tundra 45" Cooler, $300, amazon.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.

Shop Now: 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.

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

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

Shop Now: Normann Copenhagen Whiskey Glasses, $50.50 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.

Shop Now: Tile "Sport" Bluetooth Tracker, $34.99, amazon.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.

Shop Now: Griffin "PowerDock Pro" USB Charging Station, $129.99, amazon.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.

Shop Now: Restoration Hardware "Deluxe Poker" Set, $315, restorationhardware.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.

Shop Now: 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.

Shop Now: Williams Sonoma "2" Smart Thermometer, $89.99, williamssonoma.com.

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

Shop Now: 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.

Shop Now: Mount Gay Rum "1703 Old Cask Selection" Rum, $183.95, winechateau.com.

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

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

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

Shop Now: Waterford "Elegance" Decanter, $160, bedbathandbeyond.com.

Introduced in the 1960s, these folding frames were Steve McQueen's sunglasses of choice.

Shop Now: Persol "PO0714SM" Sunglasses, $370, sunglasshut.com.