My husband is my favorite person. He's a great dad and a doting husband, but he — like most men — is tough to shop for.
My kids are in elementary school now, so he's got enough hand print artwork and family photo coffee mugs to last a lifetime. I assume a guy can only get excited about those things for a few years before he's secretly wishing you'd come up with some new Father's Day gift ideas.
I'm always struggling with what to give him for birthdays and holidays — and Father's Day is no exception. So, this year, I asked him to give me some unique gifts he would actually want this Father's Day. (This is nowhere near as bad as the time I asked him to wear a male romper ... )
Maybe it's the stage of parenting we're in, but there wasn't a single "World's Best Dad" mug on his Father's Day gift list.
1. 'Better headphones or a cool speaker'
My husband loves walking and biking. But he still uses the standard earbuds that came with his iPhone, so a great set of headphones makes total sense as a Father's Day gift. We also entertain often, so finding a speaker that will play music during dinner parties and cookouts was high priority.
Sengled Solo Color Plus Bluetooth Smart Lightbulb Speaker, $40, Amazon
This smart light bulb plugs into any lighting fixture and doubles as both a colorful lighting option and a Bluetooth speaker. Dad can control the bulb — which can even be set to blink in rhythm with the song — from an app on his phone.
Marshall Acton Bluetooth Speaker, $125, Amazon
This miniature Marshall speaker has the classic vintage look of Marshall products, and connects either wirelessly via Bluetooth or by cord with an auxiliary input. It looks great and it can blast music with a powerful deep bass that's sure to make Dad feel like a rock star.
Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones, $225, Walmart
These wireless Beats headphones come in a variety of colors and have a 40-hour battery life. While wearing these, Dad can take phone calls, listen to music and activate Siri.
And, for a more affordable (but highly reviewed) wireless headphone set, check out these Cowin E7 headphones on sale for $60.
2. 'New pots and pans or other kitchen gadgets'
We love entertaining and cooking, so I wasn't surprised that my husband put kitchen items on his Father's Day list. From fancy pots and pans to a pizza oven that fits right on the grill, I found lots of items to consider for this category.
T-fal Titanium Advanced Nonstick Cookware Set, $99, Amazon
These nonstick pans by T-fal have a heat indicator circle in the center that lets Dad know when they've reached the perfect temperature. The pans are made of a titanium material that makes them look — and feel — like a luxurious gift at a reasonable price.
"Toy Story 4" Breakfast Set, $45, Pampered Chef
If Dad is the breakfast-maker in your home, consider gifting him with this cute breakfast set from Pampered Chef that features the characters from "Toy Story 4." In addition to a Hamm pancake flipper, Dad can make flapjacks in the shapes of Woody, Buzz and a little green alien and detail them with a powdered sugar stencil. But the real star of the set is the Forky spatula.
Phillips Smoke-less Indoor Grill, $220, Amazon
This indoor grill heats up quickly and uses infrared technology to evenly grill meats, veggies and anything else Dad wants to throw on. There's no need to adjust the heat, as the grill heats automatically to 446 degrees, the optimal temperature for searing meat. The grill is also easy to clean — either wipe it clean or place its parts in the dishwasher for cleanup in less than a minute.
Krups Air Fryer, $130, Amazon
This air fryer by Krups has sleek black design that will look great on any kitchen counter. With little-to-no oil and optimized air flow, Dad can fry, bake, grill and roast his favorite foods — like wings and burgers — in a healthier way.
Primo Pizza Stone, $56, Amazon
This ceramic baking and pizza stone from Primo can be used with a Primo grill or other backyard grills to make pizza. The stone can also be used in a conventional oven and doubles as a baking sheet for breads, cookies and more.
Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer, $439, Amazon
This juicer from Hurom works differently than some other commercial juicers — it's designed to mimic hand-squeezing, resulting in more juice being extracted from each fruit or vegetable. And, the Hurom H-AA works overtime as an ice cream maker and a tofu press, making it a versatile kitchen appliance.
Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker, $139, Amazon
This espresso and coffee machine uses special capsules to make creating coffee drinks as easy as the push of a button. Dad can effortlessly create lattes, cappuccinos and more — which he's bound to appreciate during his morning routine.
BakerStone Pizza Oven Box Kit, $130, Best Buy
With this pizza oven kit, Dad can transform the backyard into a pizzeria. The metal box, which holds a pizza stone inside, fits onto any gas grill and bakes homemade pizza in minutes.
3. 'The kids usually get me clothes or cologne and that's great'
He's right: The go-to gifts I usually pick out from the kids are cologne, socks or clothing. I was happy to hear he enjoys those things, so I went on the hunt for some ideas that were a more unique take on the norm.
Mickey Mouse Watch by Citizen, $325, Amazon
My family loves visiting Walt Disney World, but even non-Disney-obsessed dads would love this classic Mickey Mouse watch from Citizen. Note: this design also comes in black if silver isn't Dad's thing.
Shawn Mendes Signature Unisex Fragrance, $19 for 3.4 ounces, Amazon
This unisex fragrance from singer Shawn Mendes comes in a beautiful glass bottle with a copper guitar pick accent. The fragrance has citrus, floral and woody notes and smells amazing on Dad (or Mom).
Staheekum Men's Flannel-Lined Slipper, $23 -$40, Amazon
These comfortable flannel-lined slippers have an indoor/outdoor sole and keep Dad's feet warm and dry in any weather. Staheekum offers the slipper in a variety of colors — from black corduroy to country wheat — making it simple to find a pair that matches Dad's personality.
Nike Verge Sunglasses, $59, Amazon
These Nike shades offer a vintage feel with a comfortable, athletic fit. The sunglasses are lightweight and have a slim frame, making them just as perfect for commutes to the office as golf outings with friends.
Philips Norelco Series 9700 Razor, $285, Amazon
We know: a good razor is another traditional Father's Day gift. But, the Philips Norelco Series 9700 razor takes the standard electric shaver up a notch with its improved contouring and precision blades.
4. 'Some fancy booze or barware'
With kids and budgets and the day-to-day grind, it's not often that we splurge on an expensive brand of liquor or the latest rock glasses. So, it makes sense that a good bottle of wine or another bar-related item would make my husband feel special.
Meiomi Pinot Noir, $20, Wine.com
Not only is this Pinot Noir from Meiomi one of our favorite wines, but Meiomi was also recently named the official wine partner of the PGA Tour, making it a special gift for dads who golf as well.
Sagamore Spirit Port Finish Rye Whiskey, $58-$150, Drizly
This whiskey from Sagamore Spirit won World's Best Rye Whiskey at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirit Competition, and comes in an elegant bottle that's sure to make Dad feel fancy.
Gin and Tonic Scented Candle, $20, Wax Cabin Candle Company
The next best thing to drinking a gin and tonic is smelling one. This scented candle from Wax Cabin Candle Company smells like the real cocktail with hints of juniper, rosemary, mint and eucalyptus.
Whiskey Appreciation Crate, $180, Man Crates
If Dad is a whiskey lover, this gift set from Man Crates is the perfect Father's Day gift. After breaking into his Man Crate with a crowbar, Dad will find personalized glasses and a whiskey decanter, along with assorted snacks and bar accessories like fancy ice molds.
Swig Combo Cooler, $19, Amazon
Similar to the Swig wine tumblers featured in our Mother's Day gift list, this Swig cooler cup keeps Dad's beer cold for hours. The cooler can serve as a cup, or hold Dad's beer can or bottle — perfect for taking a drink on the go.
The Botanist Gin, $25-$62, Drizly
Perfect for seasonal cocktails or classic favorites, the Botanist is a dry gin made from 22 hand-foraged botanicals. The gin comes in a beautiful bottle, embossed with the Latin names of each ingredient — perfect for Dad's bar cart.
5. 'A better night's sleep'
Despite my husband's protests — our dog sleeps in our bed every night. Between our pup's snoring and the occasional midnight visit from a kid, it's no wonder a better night's sleep is on his list.
1 Voice Sleep Headphones Eye Mask, $24, Amazon
This machine-washable memory foam sleep mask connects with any MP3 player or phone to allow Dad to fall asleep listening to his favorite tunes or relaxing sounds.
Purple Mattress, $999-$3500, Purple
Purple mattresses are made with a special material that allows cool airflow, pressure-relieving support and motion isolation. Maybe now Dad won't feel his partner, kids or pets tossing and turning during the night.
If you're planning on getting dad a mattress, be sure to check out our mattress buying tips!
6. 'I could use some kind of bag or backpack'
Energizer Wanderer Solar Backpack, $92, Amazon
This backpack by Energizer contains a power bank — charged by a solar panel on the outside of the bag — that can be used to charge smartphones, tablets and other USB devices while out on the go. Not only can Dad keep his phone charged, but he can also be his kids' hero by keeping their tablets running on long days.
7AM Enfant BK718 Backpack, $59, Amazon
This waterproof backpack comes in several color combinations and and has six interior pockets. In addition to a padded storage space for laptops and other tech items, the bag also comes with a changing pad perfect for diapering on the go.
7. 'Some new wheels'
We live in Florida, where the weather is great year-round. So, our family is always out biking, skateboarding and scootering. It's been a while since we've bought ourselves a new set of wheels, and there are some amazing options out there.
EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter, $429, Amazon
This electric scooter from Razor travels at up to 18 miles per hour. The scooter has a seat and basket, making it perfect for running errands or taking kids to the park.
Sixthreezero Men's Cruiser Bike, $200, Amazon
This sleek black cruiser bike has an optional rear rack for a basket or pannier, making it perfect for extra items Dad needs to haul around. The white and black tires and upright, adjustable handlebars give the bike a retro appearance Dad is sure to love.
EPrime Electric Scooter, $349, Walmart
This new addition to the Razor line of scooters moves at up to 15 miles per hour. The battery of the electric scooter provides about 40 minutes of continuous ride time before needing a recharge, giving Dad plenty of time to commute or cruise through the neighborhood in style.
8. 'An actual camera to use instead of my phone'
One of our big parenting focuses right now is spending less time on our phones and more time making memories with our kids. However, that doesn't mean we don't want to take family photos when we're out enjoying our screen-free time.
GoPro HERO7 Waterproof Action Camera, $193, Amazon
This waterproof touch screen camera captures HD video and still photos and comes with a timer feature, so Dad can hop in a few photos with his family. The camera also responds to voice commands and has cool features like a burst mode photo setting and the ability to create time lapse videos.
Vivitar 4k Action Camera, $69, Walmart
Dual screens give this camera the ability to capture photos and selfies seamlessly. The camera is waterproof and comes with a bike and helmet mount, so Dad can capture all of his adventures and share them with friends and family.
Polaroid Snap Touch Portable Instant Print Digital Camera, $135 (usually $180), Amazon
Not only does this Polaroid camera capture digital images, but it also prints them out instantly. We think it's perfect for days when Dad wants to avoid the distraction of his cell phone but still capture moments spent with his family.
9. 'Any other cool tech gifts you think I'd like'
This one's self explanatory. Because I know my husband loves new technology, I keep my eye out year-round for tech gift ideas that will make him smile.
GPX 90-Inch Indoor/Outdoor Projection Screen, $227, Walmart
This gigantic projector screen can be stored in a portable bag, allowing Dad to set it up anywhere — from movie night in the backyard to a vacation photo slide show in the living room.
Retro Video Game Phone Case, $17, Everything Tech Gear
This retro-inspired phone case is available for most iPhones and comes in four different colors. One side allows Dad access to his phone while the other mimics a vintage video game system with a selection of classic-inspired games.
Samsung SmartThings Hub, $88, Amazon
With this home automation system from Samsung, Dad can truly be the king of his castle. The unit connects with a Wi-Fi router and allows Dad to control things like lights, speakers, thermostats and motion sensors around the home.
10. 'We need to get my dad something, too'
Let's be honest: When it comes to gift-giving, Mom tends to pick up a lot of the slack. Making a list of possible gifts for himself reminded my husband that we need to mail a gift to my father-in-law. Luckily, I had some great grandpa gift ideas in mind that he also loved.
Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Series, $30, Amazon
To celebrate Hot Wheels' 50th anniversary, the toy car maker released a set of five original Hot Wheels cars, complete with legacy graphics and original packaging. The set includes classic cars like the 1968 Mercury Cougar and the 1967 Ford Mustang and is sure to give both dads and granddads a feeling of nostalgia.
AncestryDNA Kit, $99, Amazon
Giving Dad an AncestryDNA testing kit is a great way to help him learn about his past and to inspire him to embrace his ethnicity and family history. Dad can simply use the kit to collect a saliva sample and mails his specimen to Ancestry.com. In six to eight weeks, he'll receive a full report that's truly all about him.
Food Sensitivity Test, $159, EverlyWell
If Dad has already tested his DNA, motivate him to get healthier by gifting him with a food sensitivity test from EverlyWell. With just a few drops of blood on a sheet of paper, EverlyWell produces a detailed listing of foods Dad may be sensitive to.
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