17 unexpected gifts for dads that are difficult to shop for

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17 unexpected gifts for dads that are difficult to shop for

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A salami bouquet from Olympia Provisions, from $50.

  • Finding a great Father's Day gifts for Dad can be hard enough as is, but it doesn't help that when you ask Dad what he wants, he won't give you any clues.
  • If Dad is hard to shop for, no worries. We've got you covered with some great gift ideas he'll love, so you don't have to spend too much time trying to figure out what he really wants.
  • Whether it's a cool experience, a quirky gift that'll make him laugh, or a practical product he really needs, we've thought of it all. Check out our roundup of 17 gifts for dads who are hard to shop for.

When it comes to gifting, you never really want to ask your recipient what they want. But, even if you were to ask Dad what he wants this Father's Day, he'd probably respond with something along the lines of "I have everything I need." And you know he really means it.

Dad may not care much for all the material stuff, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve a great gift this Father's Day. Whether it's a fun experience he'll remember forever or a jab at his incessant dad jokes, there are plenty of gifts for the dad who's hard to shop for. We did some searching and found 17 great Father's Day gift ideas that show Dad how much you love and appreciate him.

From the practical to the sentimental, keep reading for 17 unexpected gifts for dads that are difficult to shop for.

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A Himalayan salt block

A Himalayan salt block
Himalayan Salt Plate, available at Williams Sonoma, $31.96 - $39.96

Dad may be perfectly content with his grilling setup as-is, but he'll definitely be impressed with this addition — it'll amp up the flavor profile of his already delicious creations.

A small and sentimental book

A small and sentimental book
"What I Love About Dad By Me", available at Uncommon Goods, $10

If he's really anti-stuff, go for the sentimental route. This little book is filled with 50 prompts that you can fill out with all of the awesome things you love about your old man. You can be sure he'll keep this one forever.

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A new way to store his beers

A new way to store his beers
BottleLoft, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

Make it even easier for him to reach for his favorite brews with a BottleLoft. All he has to do is put these magnetic strips onto the ceiling of the fridge and hang some handy bottles.

A funny pair of socks

A funny pair of socks
Friday Sock Co. Mismatched Socks, available at Etsy, $13

Pair these quirky socks with a homemade breakfast on you for a Father's Day gift that Dad —and his stomach — will love.

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A trophy for his desk

A trophy for his desk
Juniper and Ivy World's Best Dad Wooden Trophy, available at Etsy, $8

He gives the best advice, makes the best pancakes, and is always there for you when you need him. Remind him he's the best with this sweet wooden trophy claiming his title — he'll be proud to show it off.

Custom cookies of his face

Custom cookies of his face
MK Sweets Co. Custom Face Cookies, available at Etsy, from $96

Satisfy Dad's sweet tooth and give everyone in the family a good laugh with some customized cookies with his face all over them. Honestly, these may be too cute to eat.

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A kombucha brewing kit

A kombucha brewing kit
The Kombucha Shop Deluxe Kombucha Brewing Kit, available at Amazon, $74.99

If his favorite brew is of the fermented tea sort, he'll love this kit that has everything he needs to brew his own kombucha from his own kitchen. After a few uses, this kit essentially pays for itself — and Dad can enjoy fresh kombucha whenever he wants.

Tickets to see his favorite team or artist

Tickets to see his favorite team or artist
Find concert and sports games tickets at StubHub, from $15

If you don't want to go the material route, gift Dad an awesome experience instead. Get him tickets to see his favorite band the next time they're in town or to cheer on his favorite baseball team — and get a ticket for yourself for a memorable experience you can share.

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An Apple Watch

An Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 3, available at Amazon, $229

An Apple Watch will make Dad feel undeniably more tech-savvy than ever before. He can call, text, track his physical activity, and more all from his wrist. Cue the oohs and aahs.

A leather passport cover

A leather passport cover
Pegai Distressed Leather Passport Cover, available at Etsy, from $24

Does Dad have any summer travel plans? This passport cover in a rugged, distressed leather, is the perfect accessory for his next trip — it looks nice and will keep his passport safe, too.

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A camera that lets him keep tabs on the dog

A camera that lets him keep tabs on the dog
Furbo Dog Camera, available at Amazon, $199

Give Dad a gift that benefits him and his best friend — the family pup, that is. With the Furbo dog camera, he can monitor, speak to, and even throw treats to his favorite fur-baby when he's not home.

A calendar full of dad jokes

A calendar full of dad jokes
Sourcebooks Dad Jokes Boxed Calendar, available at Amazon, $10.39

Make Dad laugh — and everyone else roll their eyes — with this set of 365 dad jokes, enough to buff up his comedic routines with enough cringe-worthy puns for a whole year.

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A meat bouquet

A meat bouquet
Olympia Provisions Salami Bouquet, available at Food52, $50 - $80

If the way to his heart is through his stomach, this is the gift for him. Because nothing says "I love you" like a delicately arranged bouquet of salami.

A burger press

A burger press
Adjustable Nonstick Burger Press, available at Williams Sonoma, $19.96

Speaking of meat, is there anything better than a juicy burger? This burger press turns any meat (or veggie blend, if that's more his speed) into perfectly-portioned patties — he can even fill the center up with cheese, herbs, or other tasty toppings for a burger creation that's all his own.

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A kit to take care of his beard

A kit to take care of his beard
Lovett Sundries Love Your Beard Pack, available at Uncommon Goods, $38

When it comes to his morning routine, Dad may be pretty low maintenance, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve a little pampering. This set of handcrafted beard oil and balm smell like pine and will keep his facial hair looking fresh.

A UV phone sanitizer

A UV phone sanitizer
PhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone Sanitizer, available at Amazon, $59.95

If he's a germaphobe, he will seriously appreciate this little device that uses UV light to zap germs and bacteria off one of his dirtiest items: his cell phone.

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A limited-edition Scotch

A limited-edition Scotch
White Walker by Johnnie Walker, available at ReserveBar, $39

Pay homage to his favorite show and his favorite drink with this limited-edition bottle of Johnnie Walker inspired by "Game of Thrones."