The 30 Best Gifts For Impossible-To-Shop-For Dads Who Want Nothing

When it comes to Christmas gifts, dads can be difficult to shop for, especially when they won’t tell you what they want or insist that you don’t need to get them anything at all. If that’s the guy you’re dealing with, we’re happy to help you find some gifts for the dad who wants nothing.

You know they have enough of the classic dad gift ideas — socks, ties, gadgets, grilling equipment — but you still want to get them something they’ll like or that will at least make them laugh this holiday season. (Gag gifts are acceptable.) No matter your dad’s interests or passions, there’s sure to be a gift for him out there that he’ll love.

With Christmas right around the corner, these are the best gifts for dads who want nothing but deserve everything. Keep scrolling to see some of our faves for the 2021 holiday season.

• Read More: The Best Gifts for the Impossible Man
• Read More: Best Gifts For Parents Who Already Have Everything

1. The Mover Max Emergency Kit

BEST OVERALL

Why is this emergency kit the best possible gift for impossible to shop for dads? Because, unlike most gifts, you actually want your dad to throw this in a closet and never think of it again. If your dad does use this emergency kit, then you’ll both be thrilled you gave it to him. And if he never needs it, well, that’s good too. For this reason, it’s the perfect gift idea for dads. Here’s to hoping he’ll never need to use it.

Appeal to your dad’s protective instincts with a Judy Emergency Kit. The 100% waterproof and rip-proof Mover Max Emergency Kit comes with over 50 life-saving supplies to cover a family of four for 72 hours in the event of an evacuation. That “just in case” peace of mind is a surefire dad-pleaser.

2. Fire TV Stick 4K Max

FOR THE SMART HOME AFICIONADO

If your dad loves having easy access to all of his favorite shows, you may want to consider gifting him Amazon’s brand new Fire TV Stick. The device is the brand’s most powerful yet, offering faster app start-up and more straightforward navigation than its predecessors. Unlike Fire TV Sticks before it, this version enhances your overall smart home experience with Live View Picture-in-Picture and the ability to view connected cameras around your home without ever changing the channel. It also allows control of other things around the house, such as lighting with a simple ask from Alexa.

3. Proscenic T21 Smart Air Fryer XL

FOR THE COOK

Give your dad the gift of easy cooking with this Proscenic Smart Air Fryer. Not only does it work to cook meals in half the time, using less oil and unhealthy fats, but it works in conjunction with Amazon Alexa for a more streamlined process throughout. He’s sure to enjoy every meal that comes from it.

4. Jot Coffee

FOR THE COFFEE LOVER

If your dad is a coffee lover, tuck this Jot Coffee under the tree or in his stocking and watch his smile light up the room. This pure, highly concentrated coffee is 20 times more caffeinated than any coffee alternative, meaning he will only need one tablespoon to transform a simple glass of iced water into a delicious cup of cold brew.

Jot Coffee

$72.00

Buy Now on Amazon

5. VNYL

BEST FOR MUSIC AFICIONADOS

Your dad is sure to enjoy the retro vibe of collecting his favorite vinyl albums. Allow him to transport back in time with a VNYL subscription plan that ships records to your home based on his personal music taste. With this plan, you can connect his Spotify with the VNYL team so they can curate and surprise him with three records that he’ll totally love.

6. Amazon Fire TV 43″ Omni Series 4K With Hands-Free Alexa

FOR THE TV LOVING DAD

Looking to splurge on a major entertainment gift for dad? Check out the Amazon Fire TV Omni. Designed to provide clear and vibrant viewing with 4K Ultra HD, this smart TV can handle myriad tasks without needing a Fire Stick or other device to receive commands. Just speak directly to the TV and enjoy. The TV, which is Amazon’s first, was just released in October 2021. Your dad definitely won’t mind seeing this under the tree on Christmas morning.

7. New Kindle Paperwhite

Released in October 2021, the new Kindle Paperwhite is a great gift for dads who enjoy reading. The new Kindle Paperwhite offers a 6.8-inch screen and adjustable warm light for a more comfortable viewing experience. Like past versions, the new Kindle Paperwhite is also water-resistant, so he can enjoy it while relaxing in the bath or by the pool with no worries. There’s also an upgrade where pages turn more quickly, allowing him to read with little hassle.

8. Shiatsu Neck Massager

FOR THE TENSE DAD 

Fatherhood is great, but it can also be fraught with tension, and if you have room in the budget for a full-fledged massage chair or masseuse, good on ya. The Shiatsu Neck Massager by Mo Cuishle is an excellent and affordable alternative that your dads with sore muscles will surely appreciate. It has eight deep tissue kneading nodes targeting the neck, shoulders, back and even heats up to help soothe tension and stress.

9. How to Traumatize Your Children

FOR THE EMBARRASSING DAD 

Who doesn’t like to give their dad a hard time for embarrassing or traumatizing them? This book is a fun gag gift for all the dads who seem to take pleasure in humiliating their children. It’s a funny, sarcastic guide with step-by-step instructions for screwing up your kids. It’s sure to give dad a laugh, and unfortunately for you, probably some devious ideas.

10. Jackery Portable Generator

BEST FOR CAMPING

From camping trips to at-home power outages, the Jackery is something dad never knew he needed. This portable charging unit is lightweight and packed with enough power for lights, laptops, phones and more. It’s great for taking on camping trips and other voyages just as much as it is for unlikely situations like power outages from storms. Trust us, when the time comes, he’ll be thankful he has it.

11. What I Love About Dad Book

MOST PERSONAL

If your dad is the kind of guy that truly doesn’t need or want anything, the What I Love About Dad book is ideal for him. This is book is something he truly never knew he wanted. It’s filled with quick answer fill-in-the-blanks that you fill out before gifting. Prompts include statements like “I love that you taught me to appreciate ______”, “You’ll keep ______ forever, won’t you?” and more. This is the gift that will most definitely bring a tear to his eye.

12. Leatherman One-Handed Multi-Tool

FOR THE HANDY DAD 

My dad had a pocket knife on him, literally at all times, just in case. He also broke a few dozen of them because they tended to be cheap. Buy yours the Leatherman Free T4, and it’ll probably be the last one he ever needs. This sturdy 12-tool wonder comes with Leatherman’s famous 25-year warranty and is American-made along with the rest of the Leatherman line.

13. Saucemoto Dip Clip

BEST FOR FAST FOOD LOVERS

He’s gotta drive Derek to soccer practice, Raelynn to ballet, Kyle to his orthodontist appointment and Cassidy to her swim meet. Mom’s out with the girls and none of the kids will be home for dinner. What’s a guy to do? One word: McDonald’s. On his back-and-forth escapade to-and-fro all parts of town, papa’s bound to get hungry. Support his love for nuggets and fries on busier days with the Saucemoto Dip Clip, a fast food sauce holder that clips right to his air conditioning vent for dipping on the go.

14. Kiehl’s Age Defender Eye Repair

FOR THE YOUTHFUL-LOOKING DAD 

Even if they’re too shy to ask for it, dads appreciate products that keep them from looking like an old catcher’s mitt. Hard to beat Kiehl’s Age Defender Eye Repair for keeping him looking youthful. It helps with wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness under the eyes to help dad look as young and fresh as possible and to prevent those awkward “is this your granddad?” moments.

15. Gaiam Balance Disc

FOR THE OFFICE WARRIOR DAD 

Office chairs are torture devices. Dad can place the Gaiam Balance Disc on any chair to provide extra cushioning and, at the same time, increase core strength and balance. This may sound counterintuitive to comfort, but core strength is essential for a healthy back. It helps improve posture, forcing dad to sit up straight, and he can use it off chairs for a variety of exercises or as a meditation cushion.

16. Ring Video Doorbell Pro

FOR THE KING OF THE CASTLE 

If your dad is infuriated by stolen packages, pushy solicitors or neighborhood hooligans playing Ding Dong Ditch, he’ll love the Ring Video Doorbell. He’ll be able to catch perpetrators in the act or just decide if he wants to pretend he’s not home, depending on who’s at the door. This Pro version features two-way talk, advanced motion detection, enhanced WiFi and customized privacy settings.

17. Embark Breed Identification Dog DNA Test

FOR THE DOG DAD 

It’s always charming when dads have a special connection with their dogs. The Embark Breed Identification Dog DNA test makes a great and thoughtful gift if his pup is a rescue. It can identify over 350 breeds and precisely detect breed contributions down to 5%. It can even show you other dogs that share DNA with yours, so maybe his dog-park pal is actually a long-lost cousin!

Read More: Best Gifts for Dog Lovers

18. If You Can Read This, Bring Me Some Beer Socks

BEST FOR BEER LOVERS

For the dad that can’t go a day without a cold one after a long day at work, these are the perfect socks to get him this holiday. They mean what they say — the old man’s thirsty! These are perfect for propping up on the recliner or coffee table, no matter how many times mom tells him to get his feet off.

19. Nikon 8247 7×50 Aculon A211 Binoculars

FOR THE BIRD-ENTHUSIAST DAD

If your dad is into bird watching or getting a closer look at anything in the distance, these Nikon binoculars are a must-have. They have enhanced light-gathering capabilities, and you can choose your preferred magnification to best suit your dad’s magnifying needs. It’ll be a nice way to support his hobbies, even if you think it’s adorably nerdy when he tells you the baby robins in the backyard just flew the nest — like you.

20. Crocs

BEST SHOE

Even if dad has Crocs, he doesn’t have all of the Crocs. With so many styles and patterns to choose from, your dad can own 100 pairs of his go-to shoe brand and still not have everything under their catalog. Our favorite Croc of the season is these faux fur-lined Crocs that transform the classically summer-esque footwear staple to something more multi-seasonal. He can get them in a number of colors and patterns depending on what you think his favorite might be.

21. Cubii Pro Compact Seated Elliptical

FOR THE FIT DAD 

The Cubii Pro is a perfect gift for the dad who is always trying to find ways to stay more fit. He may be busy or just lazy and struggle to find the time and energy to work out — no judgment here. This compact seated elliptical from Cubii allows him to stay active while working, reading or even watching TV. It’s whisper-quiet, fits into almost any space, and pairs with the Cubii app, Fitbit, or Apple HealthKit to track his activity and calories burned.

22. Putt-A-Bout Grassroots Par Three Putting Green

FOR THE DUFFER DAD 

Any dad who plays golf would love a little practice putting green in their home or office. This affordable option has a high-quality putting surface that stays smooth, non-skid backing, and sand trap cutouts to mimic an actual course. There are three practice holes to help them master a variety of puts to prepare for their time out on the links.

23. Anker Wireless Charger 2-Pack

FOR THE DEAD-PHONE DAD

Your dad may not know that wireless charging is an option, so this set of Anker Qi-certified wireless chargers will be a pleasant surprise that makes it easy for him to keep his phone fueled at all times. They provide high-speed charging for Androids and iPhones without having to take your case off. Plus, the positioning makes it easy to see and use the phone while it’s charging.

24. Meat Handler and Shredder

FOR THE GRILLMEISTER DAD 

If your dad is a serious carnivore and already has all of the typical grilling tools, these shredders from BBQ Butler will make a fun addition to his collection. There are six super-sharp prongs on each claw for shredding chicken or pulled pork, or you can use one as a grip for carving. It’s doubtful that he has anything like these, but there’s no doubt he’ll use them if he’s a grilling enthusiast.

Read More: The Best Boozy Father’s Day Gifts

25. Back and Body Shaver

FOR THE MANSCAPING DAD

This dad gift may be more for the benefit of those around him — maybe his significant other, perhaps his kids who have to see his hairy back every time they go to the beach. This shaver works like an extension of your arm, so you can access all of those hard-to-reach places. If your dad looks like he’s wearing an angora sweater when he’s shirtless at the beach, this is for him.

ON SALE!

26. History by Mail Six-Month Subscription

FOR THE HISTORY-BUFF DAD

If Dad’s into history, he will love receiving these detailed replicas of historical documents instead of just reading about them in the same old books. Each month a letter will be sent to your dad delivering detailed replica historical documents, from Albert Einstein’s letters to Franklin Roosevelt to the police report from Rosa Parks’ arrest in Birmingham for refusing to move to the back of the bus. Each letter comes with all of the essential context and historical significance of the document. It’s an amazingly unique gift for any history enthusiast.

27. Dadvil

FOR THE JOKESTER DAD

Dad jokes got their name for a reason — only dads find them funny. Add Dadvil to that list. These candy pills are a perfect accompaniment to the corniest of the corny dad jokes. Take two of these and groan in the morning!

28. Night Runner 270 Shoe Lights

FOR KEEPING DAD SAFE 

If dad’s a runner or just takes the DNA-identified dog out for a nighttime stroll, the Night Runner 270 shoe lights will keep him visible to cars and safely help him get home. They provide 150 lumens of light visible from 360 degrees, and they hold their power for anywhere from two to five hours before needing a recharge from the supplied micro USB cable. They illuminate the path for up to 30 feet ahead, helping eliminate the potential for traumatic falls — particularly useful if dad is older or losing his eyesight. An excellent gift for any dad and peace of mind for you knowing he’s safe doing his outdoor activities in the dark.

29. Letters to My Dad

FOR THE SENTIMENTAL DAD 

Sappy gifts may not be for everyone, but a sentimental dad will appreciate these lovely letters that can be treasured forever. Each one has a different prompt to inspire you to write some nice things about dear old dad. You can fill them all out at once and give him the whole booklet to go into a time capsule to read years down the road, or anytime he needs a reminder of how much he means to you.

30. FunFamz The Original Spider Prank Box

FOR THE LOLZ

The original spider box prank has been featured in hundreds of Tik Toks, Instagram posts and Youtube videos over the years, and it’s still one of our favorite gifts for the impossible to shop for dad. Instead of trying to find the perfect dad gift idea, settle for a good old-fashioned laugh.

The Best Christmas Gifts

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