CHRISTMAS is fast approaching, and the one person we struggle to buy for every year are gifts for Dad.
Socks and pants, or aftershave, are often top of the Christmas wishlist for dads, but for those who want to truly spoil their father this year, we have found the best Christmas gifts for dad this year.
Whether you’re looking for something fun, functional, tech-y, or just a little bit sweet to show him that you care, you’ll find something perfect in our round-up below.
Our list covers everything from top-end gadgets to fun days out – and yes, there are a quite a few beer-related gifts too.
For gents in general, there’s also our list of the best Christmas gifts for him, as well as our best Christmas gifts for boyfriends.
Sentimental gifts for dads
If you’re looking for a genuinely heartwarming pressie for your dad this Christmas, we have you covered. After all, if you can’t get sentimental at Christmas time, when can you?
1. Silver Envy Signet Ring
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- Silver Envy Signet Ring, £64 from Serge Denimes – buy here
A signet ring is a staple item of jewellery most men wear, and one that will be treasured for years to come. It can be worn all the time, or only for special occasions.
What we love about a signet ring is they are suitable for parents of any age, and can be passed down through the generations too.
2. Personalised Scratch Off 92 Football Grounds Print
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- Personalised Scratch-Off 92 Football Grounds Print, £16.29, Not On The High Street – buy here
Football fans will go head over heels for this scratch off football grounds match. Whether you are a seasoned footie fan and plan to visit every ground, this will help you on your way.
3. Sausage Dog Mule Slippers
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- Sausage Dog Mule Slippers, £15, Marks & Spencer – buy here
Dog lovers, or dads who love nothing more than putting their feet up to watch their favourite show with a cuppa in hand, a pair of slippers are part and parcel of your relaxing get up.
This soft design is made from a soft borg lining, while the interior is made from Freshfeet™ technology to keep any smells at bay.
4. Personalised Men’s Golf Glove
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- Personalised Men’s Golf Glove, £23, Not On The High Street – buy here
Golfing pro, or novice, a personalised set of golf gloves will make your father look the part on the range.
This purchase can be personalised with up to two letters max, so choose wisely.
5. Personalised Multi Photo Leather Envelope Keyring
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- Personalised Multi-Photo Leather Envelope Keyring, £35, Etsy – buy here
Your dad, or father figure, can keep you with him at all times thanks to Etsy’s creation.
You can add a photo, as well as personal message on this keyring, which will no doubt brighten the recipient’s day.
Alcohol gifts for dads
We’re sure your dad is looking forward to a tipple over the festive period – why not treat him to one of the booze-based gifts below?
1. Tom Savano Old Fashioned Cocktail
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- Tom Savano Old Fashioned Cocktail, £25 from John Lewis & Partners – buy here
For those who enjoy a little tipple, or two, but don’t want to venture out in the cold to a bar come Christmas season, can enjoy their favourite cocktail at home.
Tom Savano has created a whole host of popular cocktails, so all you have to do is pour and drink.
2. The Staying Inn Lager Gift Box
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- The Staying Inn Lager Gift Box, £27.50 from Not On The High Street – buy here
What could be more exciting than opening your very own pub on Christmas Day? Well, your dad almost can with this bundle.
Inside an intricately decorated gift box, which resembles a pub, homes six craft beers, as well as a pub quiz game, so you can sip your beer, and enjoy some evening entertainment too.
3. The Whisky Tasting Company Single Malt Gift Set
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- The Whisky Tasting Company Single Malt Gift Set, £35.95 from Not On The High Street – buy here
Bring the whisky tasting tour to your house with this stylish gift set, complete with four Scottish single malt whisky, as well as an award winning Swedish single malt.
4. Laphroaig Islay Select Single Malt Whisky
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- Laphroaig Islay Select Single Malt Whisky (700ml), £25 (Was £33) from Amazon – buy here
A single malt whisky is a great gift idea for those who enjoy a tipple, or for those you may be stock for ideas.
This whisky boasts a smokey and oak flavour, and can be enjoyed neat, on ice, or in a cocktail.
5. BrewDog Punk UPA Beer Making Kit
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- BrewDog Punk IPA Beer Making Kit, £40 (Was £45) from Menkind – buy here
Fancy your hand at brewing beer? Now you can, and so can the beer lover in the family.
This kit comes complete with the essential tools to brew your own Indian Pale Ale, and it makes up to seven pints of the alcohol.
Once it’s gone you can buy a refill kit, so the supplies just keep on flowing.
6. Beer Hawk Cheers 12-Bottle Craft Crate
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- Beer Hawk Cheers 12-Bottle Craft Crate, £32 from Beer Hawk – buy here
For those who are really stumped for gifts, and your parent only likes beet, Beer Hawk has you covered.
This crate contains a mix of 12 craft beers for your dad to sample over the festive period.
Experience gifts for dads
One great option for fathers is an experience-based gift – you can be sure that a special day out somewhere will be something your dad cherishes forever.
1. Two-for-one 60-Minute Segway Experience
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- Two-for-one 60-Minute Segway Experience, £39 from Buyagift – buy here
Making memories, and having a laugh while doing so is all part of the fun, which is guaranteed with a segway experience.
You and your parent can enjoy a bonding session with an hour segway trip at various locations.
2. Full Day of Paintballing for Four
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- Full Day of Paintballing for Four, £39 from Buyagift – buy here
Get the whole family involved in the fun this Christmas, or post Christmas, with a paintballing session.
Don your finery and get active after stuffing your faces with a roast dinner.
3. Vineyard Tour and Tasting
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- Vineyard Tour and Tasting For Two, £34 from Menkind – buy here
Taste your wine skills and knowledge with a tasting session. First you will be taken on a tour of a classic British vineyard, across one of 12 locations, before sampling their booze.
We have no doubt this will go down a treat.
4. Classic Car Driving Experience
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- Classic Car Driving Experience, £39 from Virgin Experience Days – buy here
Let your dad channel his inner Bond, James Bond, on the track, which is bound to put a smile on his face.
Select your favourite car and hit your foot on the accelerator for three miles.
Unique gifts for dads
If you want to treat your dad to something a little quirky and left-field this Christmas, here are a few offbeat options.
1. Beer and Curry Night
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- Beer And Curry Night In (6 beers and spice kit), £27.75 from Not On The High Street – buy here
For those who like spice, beer, and a night in with a curry and a beer, this is the gift you have been waiting for.
This bundle comes complete with six beers, as well as a spice kit so you can recreate some of your favourite dishes.
2. Personalised Whiskey Tumbler
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- Personalised Whiskey Tumbler In Solid Oak, £39.95 from Not On The High Street – buy here
Upgrade your drinks trolley with this oak tumbler to enjoy your whiskey in.
It is made from sturdy oak, and can be personalised with your parents initials, so noone else can claim it.
3. Personalised Naga Hot Sauce Gift Box
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- Personalised Naga Hot Sauce Gift Box, £31.50 (Was £35) from Menkind – buy here
For those who you really are stumped to buy for, or for the dad who has anything, liven up their Christmas with this bundle of spicy sauces.
From smoked chilli and garlic flavour, jalapeno and sweet apple, to super hot, there is no time like Christmas to get creative in the kitchen.
4. Personalised Lyrics Record Print
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- Personalised Lyrics Record Print, £35 from Not On The High Street – buy here
Music buffs who already have all the vinyls, records, and playlists, this is for you.
This gift features all of the lyrics to one of your dad’s favourite tracks, by his favourite artist. All you have to select is the artist, the song title, and the style of the print, and the rest will be done for you.
Gadgets for dads
If your dad’s the sort of person who appreciates something useful, here are a few tech-related suggestions – and they’re all from brand we trust and recommend.
1. GOOKAM 4K 20MP Sport Action Camera
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- GOOKAM 4K 20MP Sport Action Camera, £46.974 (Was £54.99) from Amazon – buy here
Whether you parent is a budding photographer, or simply wants to capture all the memories in the future, a camera s a great way to go.
But this isn’t just any camera, this design allows you to capture every moment when. onthe go, and even underwater.
2. HONOR Band 6 Smart Watch
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- Honor Band 6 Smartwatch, £41.39 (Was £45.99) from Amazon – buy here
For the dads who are fitness fanatic, or couch potatoes, but want to be more active a smart watch is a great investment.
Not only can it monitor your calories burnt, steps, but also your sleep pattern too.
3. Personalised In-Charge Apple Charging Station
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- Personalised In-Charge Apple Charging Station, £32 from Not On The High Street – buy here
For the tech buffs, or the neat freak parents, this prop is ideal.
This purchase allows you to charge your phone and smart watch at the same time, without any messy cables sprawled out on the bedside table. Plus you can get it engraved, just for that extra special touch.
4. Orskey Full HD Dash Cam
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- Orskey Full HD Dash Cam, £37.99 (Was £63.99) from Amazon – buy here
The Dash Cam purchase is a high tech design to keep your parent safe on the road.
It features a high resolution and three inch LCD screen, so you can catch every detail, from license plates to road conditions. It also features a Superior Night Vision feature, wide angle and a G-sensor-activated emergency recording to protect the driver at all times.
5. Echo Show 8
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- Echo Show 8, £99.99 from Amazon – buy here
For tech whizzes looking to transform their house into a smart home, am Echo Show is the way to go.
This modern design allows you to control almost anything at the touch of a button, and voice command. You can complete tasks from asking random questions, turning on the lights, asking the weather, to video calls and much more.
6. Sky-Watcher Heritage-76 Mini Dobsonian Telescope
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- Sky-Watcher Heritage-76 Mini Dobsonian Telescope, £64 (Was £79.99) from WesPhotoVideo – buy here
Could this be the best Christmas gift to your dad this year? We think so, as it’s certainly outside the box.
This prop ticks a lot of boxes in our books; it is lightweight, can be easily transported to get the best view of celestial objects, and is affordable.
Fun gifts for dads
If your dad’s a big kid at heart, then look through these fun (and a little bit silly) gift options – we know that Lego set will keep him busy after Christmas dinner.
1. Star Wars The Mandalorian
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- Star Wars The Mandalorian 8-inch Cable Guy, £25 from Menkind – buy here
If your dad is a big Star Wars fan, then this is a no brainer.
This purchase doubles up as a phone or remote controller, after all, dads do tent to hog the tv control, so now they can make their mark in style.
2. Lego Technic Chevrolet Corvette Race Car
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- Lego Technic Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Race Car, £39.99 from Amazon – buy here
Let your father’s inner child loose with this epic Lego set.
Collectors, or young at heart dads can create two in one vehicles with this set; the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the intoa Hot Rod replica.
3. Tobbie the Robot
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- Tobbie the Self-Guiding AI Robot, £30 from Menkind – buy here
For the real youngster at heart of any parent.
This miniature robot has two settings,: follow me and explore, so it can be your parents double, or wonder round the house. It’s a great gift for those who still love games, or just want a bit of company, without the upkeep of a malting pet.
4. Oculus Quest 2 VR
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- Oculus Quest 2, All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset and Controllers, £299 from John Lewis – buy here
Tech fanatics will go head over heels for this VR set, which comes compleet with a headset and controllers.
Not only will your dad enjoy the fun and get swept up in another realm, but you and the family can sit back and watch a she navigates – or knocks over – items in the household.
Gifts for dads that have everything
If you’ve got a dad who simply buys everything he wants, then surprise him with something a little unusual, or something luxurious he’d never usually treat himself to.
1. Creed Aventus
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- Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum, £195 from John Lewis & Partners – Buy here
Creed Aventus is a very distinct scent, and one no recipient can justify buying for themselves.
So for those who really wnat to blow the budget on their parent, this will go down a storm – mark our words.
2. Grow Your Own Carnivorous Plants
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- Grow Your Own Carnivorous Plants, £13 from Menkind – buy here
The green fingered, or just unusual parent will definitely not expect a kit so they can grow their own Venus Fly Trap and Pitcher Plant.
Let’s just hope it’s not another follow up to Little Shop of Horrors.
3. Happy Socks
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- Happy Socks Big Dot 4-Pack, £35.95 from Happy Socks – buy here
Socks are a classic Christmas gift idea for parents, end of.
This pack of four come in vibrant colours and patterns, just to stand out from other undies they receive this Christmas.
4. Ancestry Kit
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- Ancestry Kit, £59 from 23andMe – buy here
For those who interested in history, geography and ancestry, this kit is a great investment.
Not only does it tell you about your ancestry, where your ancestors came from, but also the likelihood of certain traits you may have picked up over the years.
5. Discover Your Family History
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- Discover Your Family History – 3 Month Membership, £35 from Menkind – buy here
If you are looking for an ancestry kit that depicts more of your family history and can help you piece together your family tree, then Menkind’s Discover Your Family History is for you.
What do you buy your dad for Christmas?
That’s where the guide above comes in handy.
We’ve covered a range of gift ideas, ranging from affordable options to stuff that’s extra-special. Gadgets, footwear, alcohol, experiences: we’ve got it covered.
And even if you don’t see anything you like in our selection of Christmas gift ideas, we think it will inspire you to go hunting for something else.
What do you buy the dad who wants nothing?
Oh dear: is your dad a bit of an Ebenezer?
Our advice is to treat him to a coupon code or voucher – but for a store he would never normally shop at.
For example, a voucher from a department store gives him an opportunity to invest in some toiletries (dads deserve pampering too), or an item of clothing that he would never usually buy for himself.
What should I get my boyfriend’s dad for Christmas?
If you’re trying to impress your other half’s father, our advice is not to spend too much – instead, to pick out something modest but thoughtful.
You could opt for a classy pair of socks, a book in the bestsellers list, or even a particularly nice bottle of wine.
Low-cost but well-chosen items like this should guarantee you a place in your boyfriend’s dad’s good books this Christmas.
What should I get my dad for Christmas for under £10?
Fab presents needn’t cost big bucks: most dads will appreciate a box of chocolates, or a selection of beers this Christmas.
If he’s a keen cook, a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil or selection of spices might be appreciated.
There are plenty of excellent books for less than £10 on Amazon – in fact, you’ll find an entire section dedicated to them.
Or if he likes music, why not hunt out some old vinyl bargains on eBay?
What’s a good Christmas present for a new dad?
If you know a new dad then a personalised gift would go down a treat, as it’s something he’ll treasure forever.
It might be a personalisable art print, or leather wallet, or even a photo album.
Not on the High Street is a particular good store for these kind of options – we’ve listed some of them in our suggestions above.
What should I buy the dad who has everything?
Dads can be difficult to buy for, as when they want something, they often just purchase it straight away.
But feat not: we’ve put aside an entire section above to dads who (seem to) already have it all.
Consider a luxe version of an everyday item, or an experience-based gift – if it’s something you and he can do together, then all the better, that might be the gift he really wants.
When should I begin Christmas shopping?
You mean you haven’t already started?!
There’s no way around it: the earlier you start, the whole let less stressful it will be later down the line, when you’ll be fighting crowds, or looking for items that are low in stock.
For more expensive items, we do suggest you keep an eye on retailers’ Black Friday offers.
While it officially falls on Friday November 26 this year, you can expect the deals to start appearing a good fortnight earlier – or even as early as the beginning of November.
For a full lowdown, head to our When is Black Friday article.
Should I buy Christmas presents during Black Friday?
Like we say, Black Friday is a great time to find deals on Christmas gifts – and it’s obviously scheduled at the end of November with the festive market in mind.
If you’re thinking of treating dad to a pricier present than usual – for example, a piece of tech – then we definitely advise you to hold your spending back until the November sales madness kicks off.
Not sure where to start searching for deals? Take a look through our list of Black Friday deals pages.
Looking for the best beauty advent calendar? Here are our top picks.
Loved our roundup of the best Christmas gifts for Dad? Check out our top shopping guides on Sun Selects here.
You may also want to look at our pick of the best Black Friday tech deals.
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