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These Are The Unexpected Gifts That Will Really Impress Dads This Year

You’ve got this one in the bag.

Written by BDG Commerce
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
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If you dread every Father’s Day because you always seem to be fresh out of gift ideas, you’re in the right place. This list is full of weird, genius, and (above all) thoughtful gifts, with something to impress even the hardest-to-shop for dads. Whether you’re shopping for someone whose love language is artisanal snacks, unique grilling tools, or the latest tech, you’ll find it here. Best of all, the gifts on this list start at just $15, so you don’t need to blow your budget, either.

1The Stylish Golf Shirt With A Built-In Collar Loop To Hold A Tee

If their go-to golf shirt is looking worse for wear, this one from Kenny Flowers will be a stylish and functional upgrade. It combines a relaxed floral print with soft, four-way stretch material that boasts UPF50+ sun protection (while also being odor and wrinkle resistant). Some other unique details include coconut buttons and the brand’s signature golf tee holder built into the collar.

  • Available sizes: S — XXXL

2This Subscription Box That Curates Some Of The Best Japanese Snacks

If the way to their heart is through their stomach, this snack box is sure to win them over. Available on a monthly subscription or as a one-time gift, Sakuraco boxes offer a next-level curation of fine Japanese treats and other fun stuff — all sourced from artisans in Japan. Each month has a new theme, and every box includes a booklet with more details on the goodies plus additional insights into Japanese culture.

3The Sought After Spanish Spirit That Has Won Over 30 Awards

For dads who already seem to have everything, this premium hierbas from Basbas is a gift that probably isn’t on their radar. The hard-to-find herbal spirit has roots that date back to the 16th century, when it was originally distilled by monks living in the Balearic Islands. It has a fragrant smell, with notes of anise, sage and citrus, and it can make for an especially nice substitute to Chartreuse for mixed cocktails. Most recently, the alluring liqueur has won the 2023 Product of the Year from Food & Beverage Magazine, and Double Gold in the 2022 International SIP AWARDS.

4Tickets To A Sold-Out Sports Event, Concert, Broadway Show, & More

Want to gift an actual experience? You can find second-hand tickets to all kinds of sold-out events on the Event Tickets Center site. You can search the site by artist, sports team, or venue to find options nearby or at a destination of your choice. Right now, the site has tickets to see everything from Jane’s Addiction, to Kevin Hart, to NASCAR, and even The Book Of Mormon.

5This Water-Resistant Sport Watch That Combines Style & Function

With a water-resistance rating of 5 ATM, this Ralph Christian watch is as rugged as it is elegant. The stainless steel watch face features precise Japanese quartz movement, a 24-hour subdial, a day function, and a date function. The silicone wristband offers a flexible, comfortable fit. And the watch comes in your choice of bright colors or sophisticated neutral tones.

  • Available designs: 10

6This Potent Skin Care Bundle That’s A Full Regimen In One Set

Whether their skin care routine is in its early stages or they enjoy switching it up, this Geologie set has it all. The five-piece set comes from an award-winning brand (with accolades from GQ and Men’s Health, to drop some names), and it includes the brand’s salicylic face wash, the morning cream with sun protection, the night cream with 2% retinol, and the caffeine-boasting eye cream. The bundle is perfect for normal, oily, and combination skin types.

7These Swim Shorts With Plenty Of Vacation Spirit

It will always feel like vacation with these swim trunks, which feature a colorful pattern of cocktail umbrellas. The navy trunks have a soft, stretchy fabric blend, with a drawstring waistband, a mesh inner lining, and plenty of pockets (including a Velcro back pocket and a hidden interior pocket). The mid-length trunks come in 4.5- and 6.5-inch inseams for just the right fit. For a complete, resort-ready look, pair them with the matching “open bar” short-sleeve button-down.

  • Available sizes: S — XXXL (in regular & short inseams)

8The Ultimate “Dad Hat” With A Tropical Twist

For the guy whose look is never complete without a classic “dad” hat, this subtly golf-themed cap from Kenny Flowers is a hole in one. Available in a crisp, white cotton fabric, it has an unstructured, six-panel construction with an adjustable strapback. The front features a stitched rendering of a coconut shell cocktail that, upon closer look, perfectly channels a golf ball.

9An Electric Burr Grinder With 18 Coarseness Settings

Remove the barriers standing in the way of Dad getting a perfect cup of coffee at home with this automatic grinder. It features durable burr blades, which are known for offering the most even grind (translating to a better-tasting cup of coffee). And the range of 18 coarseness settings makes it suitable for everything from espresso to French press coffee. This grinder has one-button operation with a timer and automatic shutoff, so they can prep their beans and then come back when they’re fully ground.

10A Combination Phone Stand & Wireless Charging Pad That’s Case-Friendly

Don’t be fooled by the simple, understated design of this Qi-certified charger — it solves for several pain points at once. The upright design offers an easier way to watch videos and take FaceTime calls. And the wireless charging pad powers up compatible devices quickly, working through many styles of phone cases. Finally, and most simply, with this charger as a home base for their device, they will be less likely to lose track of it when they’re at home.

11A Wildly Popular Reading Light That Hangs Around Your Neck

For the bookworm in your life, this clever LED light will allow them to devote even more time to their TBR pile. Its unique design has earned it nearly 100,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and for good reason. Rather than clipping onto a book, it’s designed to hang around your neck to perfectly light the page (without any risk of tearing it). Plus, it has three brightness levels and a lightweight design for maximum ease.

  • Available colors: 4

12This Quirky Metal Scrapper That Cleans Grill Grates With Ease

The post barbecue cleanup can really put a damper on the day, but this handy grill scraper makes the job so much simpler. It has a unique notched design that fits in between grill grates to scrape off any stubborn debris. And the bristle-free construction means there’s no need to worry about the mess (or potential danger) of pieces shedding and getting into food. As an added plus, the other end of this scraper features a handy bottle opener.

13The All-In-One Sandwich Maker That’s The Ultimate Breakfast Hack

Mornings will be easier than ever (and afternoons, and late nights) with this Hamilton Beach sandwich maker. It has a multi-chamber design that fits bread or an english muffin, an egg, and cheese or pre-cooked breakfast meat, heating it all up at once. When it’s done, it only requires the sliding out of the egg plate for the sandwich to be fully assembled and ready to savor.

  • Available colors: 6

14This Versatile Multitool Card That’s Slim Enough To Keep In A Wallet

Some dads pride themselves on always being prepared for anything, and with this multitool, they’ll have everything they need for whatever task pops up. It features 18 tools in a tiny package, including a ruler, an eyeglass screwdriver, a hex screwdriver, and even a fruit peeler. Despite being as slim as a credit card, it’s made with tough steel that’s been heat-treated for maximum durability.

15This Brilliant Cushion That Can Hold Everyone’s Drinks, Snacks, & More

Perfect for everything from long car rides to simply parking on the couch for a movie marathon, this “Cup Cozy” pillow will be a game changer. It has five expandable compartments with insulating foam to fit most drinks while also helping to keep them hot or cold. And it also provides a nice spot to stick snacks, remotes, or even eyeglasses. The cushion has a stable design, but the polyester cover can be removed and machine washed, just in case.

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