Father's Day Gift Ideas

By Leslie Corona
Courtesy of Bunches & Bunches
It happens every year: You find the best card ever, but you can't find a gift for Dad. Don't stress! Our unique gift ideas will help you pick out something special this Father's Day.
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Boulder Backpack

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the dad who still sleeps in Star Wars pj’s and has Darth Vader as his ringtone. This Boulder Backpack will make him an honorary Jedi. $121. fandangofanshop.com

Have everyone in the family make their own BB-8 Droid and R2-D2 out of Play-Doh. 

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Kodak Dock

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the dad who wants an Echo Show, the Apple Watch, and a Sonos system but still insists on no-screen time for the kids. The Kodak Dock will give him the best of both worlds. $140, amazon.com

Take loads of pics at the most photogenic spots in your neighborhood, but instead of posting them, print them! 

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Trusco Toolbox

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the handy dad who can make anything—including a mean grilled cheese. This handsome Trusco Toolbox is a no-fail papa pleaser for stashing tools. $80. field-online.com

Get crafty with the kids and take a look at YouTube channel What Do We Do All Day? for projects the family can build together. 

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Wildsam Field Guides

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the dad who checks his frequent-flyer miles the way he checked the baby monitor during the newborn months. Wildsam Field Guides will give him the inside scoop on your fam’s next travel destination. $18 each. wildsam.com

Keep things local today, and ask friends for under-the-radar places in your town. Then make it a day of trying new things!

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Brass Pour Over Coffee Dripper Stand and Dave’s Coffee Black Crow Beans

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the secretly Instagramobsessed dad who can’t live without his morning coffee. You can’t go wrong with this Brass Pour Over Coffee Dripper Stand and Dave’s Coffee Black Crow beans. $40 (stand); worldmarket.com. $24 (two-pack of beans); food52.com.

The Experience Let Dad sleep in on his big day, and serve a post-worthy breakfast (with coffee, duh) when he wakes up. 

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Dad + Kid Socks

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the dad who’s all about hanging up the kids’ art in his cubicle and loves SNL and Chevy Chase movies. These Dad + Kid Socks will make twinning so much easier. $16 for two pairs (one dad’s, one kid’s); pairofthieves.com

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Whiskey Shave Set

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the dad who takes pride in his extensive fedora collection and wouldn’t be caught dead drinking a Bud Light. This Whiskey Shave Set will freshen him up for the family’s weekly brunch. $30. portlandgeneralstore.com

Instead of chowing down at your usual weekend diner, check out the chic new café he’s been eyeing. Go early before the noon rush so you won’t feel stressed about restaurant dining with kids.

Note: Executive photo director Lily Alt buys this on the reg for her hubby!

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Mitchell MU40 Soprano Ukulele

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the goof ball dad who sings along to all of your kids’ favorite songs, even though he’d prefer Miles Davis. The Mitchell MU40 Soprano Ukulele will double as a present and quality time. Your kids will be obsessed with dancing to tunes he loves playing.  $40. guitarcenter.com

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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ Top Sellers Pint Collection

Jeffrey Westbook

For the dad who actually eats the way kids imagine they’ll eat as adults. Offer the man five scrumptious pints from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ Top Sellers Pint Collection. $55. jenis.com 

Round out the day with another kid fave: Set up a pizza-making party for your family at your local pizza shop. 

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The Insanely Great History of Apple Print

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the tech-savvy dad who plays The Settlers of Catan and knows what’s what in Silicon Valley. The Insanely Great History of Apple Print will speak to his soul—in binary code, of course. $37.  popchartlab.com 

Head outdoors to indulge him in a geocaching walk with the kids. 

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Timex MK1 Aluminum Nylon Watch

Courtesy of TImex

You'll appreciate this watch's wallet-friendly price tag; Dad will appreciate the fresh aesthetic. And it's ideal for everyday wear—the aluminum case is super light and water-resistant, and the nylon straps are gentle on wrists. $79, timex.com

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Potlicker Kitchen Beer Jellies

Courtesy of Uncommongoods

If he's big on craft beer, he'll want to whip up snacks like PB&J sandwiches with these malty fruit preserves. Each jar of handmade jelly contains only three ingredients and no funky preservatives. $30 for a set of four, uncommongoods.com

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Ostrich Pillow Go

Courtesy of MoMA Design Store

If Dad's a frequent flyer, give him the gift of comfort with this, dare we say, chic travel pillow. It's washable and incredibly flexible, so it'll flatten for easy packing. $60, store.moma.org

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V76 by Vaughn Detox Bar Soap Trio

Courtesy of Birchbox

These organic body bars are loaded with oats and clay and will be a treat for Dad's skin. But don't be fooled: While the natural ingredients are gentle on skin, they're tough enough to leave him squeaky-clean. $36 for a set of three, birchbox.com

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Pizza's Here Oven Mitt

Courtesy of Always Fits

Dad will help with dinner tonight… and order that pizza himself! He'll proudly present all future meals donning this comical oven mitt. $12.50, alwaysfits.com

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Garmin Vívofit 4

Courtesy of Garmin

Help kick-start a new lifestyle change with the Vívofit 4. It's the perfect intro to healthy living, because it monitors fundamentals like steps, sleep, and calories. And with its 1+ year battery life, Dad can truly forget about charging it. $80, amazon.com

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Bela Portuguese Sardines

Courtesy of Food52

These anchovies are packed in tomato sauce and flavored oils like lemon and cayenne, so the chef of the house can add a hit of umami to all kinds of dishes. $29 for a pack of 12, food52.com

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Casetify Kid's Doodles Phone Case

Courtesy of Casetify

Transfer your kid's art from the fridge to Dad's phone case. It's an adorable advertisement of the little human that promoted him to his most important role. Plus, it'll melt 99.9% of people's hearts when they ask about it. $29, casetify.com

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Fifty Places to Run Before You Die by Chris Santella

Courtesy of Abrams

Give Dad some serious goals to work toward with this book written for anyone itching to hit the pavement in any part of the world. Make sure you can tag along on those travels too! Release date: March 20, 2018. $25, abramsbooks.com

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Polaroid OneStep 2 i-Type Camera

Courtesy of Polaroid

Dads nostalgic for the past will get snap-happy with the new-but-old Polaroid camera. Inspired by the original, this version of the OneStep has a USB rechargeable battery. For the retro-obsessed, it doubles as groovy décor. $100, polaroid.com

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Orbitkey 2.0

Courtesy of Orbitkey

Who knew a key fob could be swanky? The strappy holder organizes up to seven keys that fold together neatly. You can even add extra features like monograms, a bottle opener, and a USB stick. Maybe Dad won't forget his keys now! From $40, orbitkey.com

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Motorola Sphere+ Plus 2-in-1 Bluetooth Speaker with Headphones

Courtesy of Amazon

You can't beat this two-for-one deal if Dad is an audiophile. Besides the crystal-clear sound, he'll be impressed by its resistance to dust and water (and kids!), as well as its headphone-charging capability. $150, amazon.com

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Mr. Purple Recording Device

Courtesy of brandnewnoise by richard upchurch

For a DIY-option, the kiddos can actually build this recording device, then leave a sweet message for Dad to play when opens his gift. $50, brandnewnoise.myshopify.com

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"We Are Happy To Serve You" Coffee Cup

Courtesy of We Are Happy To Serve You

Skip the "world's best dad" mug, and delight the coffee connoisseur in your life with the iconic deli coffee cup! Instead of paper, it's made of ceramic. $12.75, wearehappytoserveyou.com

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Fredericks and Mae Dominoes

Courtesy of Fredericks and Mae

This old-school game is perfect for dads who love play time with their kids—it's simple and can be tucked away in a teeny box. It's proof that you don't need a ton of tech to have fun as a family. $38, fredericksandmae.com

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Ello There National Park Checklist Map

Courtesy of Ello There Outdoors

Nature lovers will plot outdoor adventures using this print, which outlines all 59 national parks. After Dad knocks one off the list, he can tag the location with a tree-shaped sticker to keep track of where's he been. From $55, ellothere.com

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Safari TV Cardboard iPad Stand

Courtesy of Cardboard Safari

This quirky iPad stand is the kind of gift he didn't think he needed: Propping up the tablet against random household items is a small nuisance you can eliminate from Dad's life. From $20, cardboardsafari.com

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Modern Espresso Machine

Courtesy of Espressotoria

Why let dad start his day with a regular cup of coffee when he can have a frothy cappuccino instead. The Espressotoria Caprista Espresso Coffee Pod Machine and milk frother are sleek additions to any kitchen. Now you just have to learn the art of making a heart with steamed milk. From $99, walmart.com. 

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Bunches & Bunches Mole Trifecta

Courtesy of Bunches & Bunches

Dad's new rule: Every day is Taco Tuesday. And you can thank these moles for that. The rich, hand-roasted chile blends elevate any Mexican-inspired meal and will have Dad thinking beyond the salsa and guac. $36, bunchesandbunches.bigcartel.com

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