Father’s Day: The Best (and Worst) Gifts to Get Dad

Updated May 14, 2021 

Father's Day Gift Ideas that Dads Actually Like

Coming up with a great Father’s Day gift can be a challenge. And compared to moms, dads are often small fry. 

According to Entrepreneur, U.S. consumers spend nearly 40% less for Father’s Day than Mother’s Day. We are 14% more likely to buy a Mother’s Day gift than a father’s day gift. And when we do shell out for mom, we spend nearly 30% less on mom than dad. 

On top of that, dads are more often left to BBQ lunch for the family (vs being taken out to brunch or getting breakfast-in-bed). And while the cliché of getting dad a tie is losing favor, dads still get stuck with plenty of gifts they don’t want. 

In doing some online research (and casually polling the few dozen dads in my office at InboxDollars), I’ve hunted high and low to discover the most unwanted father’s day gifts, the most coveted father’s day gifts, and a list of ideas for budget-friendly, dad-approved gift ideas. 

Most Unwanted Father’s Day Gifts: 

• Gym memberships .
• Magazine subscriptions.
• Generic/off-brand/outdated version of something that dad really wanted.
• Computer-printed card (with clipart).
• Coupon books (for walking the dog, taking out the trash, etc.)
• Text message greeting.
• Cheesy T-shirt.
• Work disguised as a DIY kit (i.e. build-your-own-birdhouse or hand prints in a cement block for the garden). 

Most Wanted Father’s Day Gifts:

• Gift cards.
• Electronics & gadgets (fitness tracker, drone, VR goggles, smartwatch or smartphone).
• Sports game tickets (where dad chooses his plus one).
• Cigars, pipe tobacco, or CBD themed gifts (if your dad indulges) 
• Handmade card.
• Homemade artwork.
• Phone call.

And If you’re looking to splurge, check out these top 10 gift ideas for dads.

Dad Approved Budget-Friendly Father’s Day Gifts:

•  Gift card to Best Buy or Amazon.com. 
• “Best Dad Ever” office nameplate. (Definitely more fun and less tacky than this stamped out on a mug or oversized T-shirt.) 
• Apple watch charging dock.  (Earn cash back shopping Best Buy through this featured link.)
• Black Tap cookbook from Target or Barnes & Noble for great craft burgers and crazy shakes. 
• Mug with a carabiner handle from united by blue.
• REI membership for only $20. 
• Special hot sauce.
• Litter Robot - for the Cat Dad who's also a tech geek. 
• Homemade baked goods, like these toy soldier Father's Day cupcakes or other budget art projects in this crafty blog.

With Father's Day still a few weeks out, there's time for your kids to earn money to buy Dad a gift.  They can even get a head start for Father's Day next year, or another big-ticket item they want.

Stacy

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