How to Shop for Father's Day

Father’s Day is a little under two weeks at this point, so it’s time to start hunting for the perfect gift. My dad is difficult to shop for because he’s so practical and I liked to get him gifts that he’ll use. Since he’s always been handy, tools would be an easy one to go for, but I also need something that fits in my budget. Plus, it’s impossible to know what he already has!

I’ve come up with a list of pretty simple shopping ideas for Dads that cover a few bases but are also budget-friendly. These are the things that I keep in mind when I’m shopping for my dad.

Personalize things: coffee mugs, wallets, grilling tools. My dad loves things that are made special for him. Tip: Check out Etsy. They have such a wide variety of gift ideas, and plenty of them can be personalized!
Something he’ll use at home or on the go. My dad loves coffee, beer and red wine. I’ve gotten him some travel mugs and glassware so he can actually use his gifts.
A great book. Pick up something by his favorite author or from her favorite genre. If you’re unsure, ask your mom or check out his at-home library!
Something related to a hobby. My dad collects coins, so I’ve gotten him quite a few things to do with that hobby. He also loves airplanes, so I’ve gotten him some of these prints for his office. Think of what your dad enjoys and find something related to that.
Do something together. What dad doesn’t want to spend time with his kids on Father’s Day? Mine loves museums and historical places, so every year we would find a new museum to go to and go learn something together. Find a meaningful place for your dad and set it up.
Food. The way to every man’s heart is his stomach, right? Steak is my go-to, but everyone is different. Although, I don’t know many men that don’t like a good steak. Either take him to his favorite restaurant or cook his favorite meal and he’ll be a happy man. My dad also loves dessert so something like this personalized spoon is perfect, too.
A Card. Get him a nice, meaningful card. It’s really important to remind your dad how much you love him and how appreciative you are of all of his help. Cards seem really uncommon these days but they really make a big impact.
Go Halfsies with your siblings. If you all want to get something big for your dad, have everyone go in together! My sister and I do this fairly frequently for both parents because it allows us to go bigger together.