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The 30 Best Holiday Gifts for Dads

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers

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Dads — you love them, but you (probably) hate to shop for them. Instead of pretending otherwise, we’re embracing the fact that they can be picky and preparing well in advance with this list of crowd-pleaser holiday gifts that every type of dad will love.

Do you have a dad who’s newly retired? What about one who likes tools and gadgets? Or does he say he already has everything he wants? No stress, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling to shop the best gifts for dads this holiday season.

So, you’re looking for the best gifts for dads?

For the dad who’s a social butterfly
For the dad who couldn’t care less about a gift
For the dad who loves dad jokes
For the dad who’s your style inspiration
For the dad who loves gizmos and gadgets
For the newly retired dad
For the dad who has a lot of hobbies

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For the dad who’s a social butterfly

If your dad loves to have the boys over, consider gifts that will make him the entertainer of the year — like a new cookbook with some delicious recipes or a poker set.

Photo: retailer

If he binge-watched The Bear, he’ll love this cookbook, which looks good on any bookshelf and will teach him how to make the best double-beef-patty melt.

Think an upgraded version of boys’ night in.

Photo: Retailers

He wants to show his dad friends he is always ready for the great outdoors and this gear kit from Solo Stove has everything he needs to take his grilling skills out to Mother Nature.

Photo: Retailers

Sharing is caring and owning a cooler that can hold a dozen beers for him and his buds will make him happy.

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For the dad who couldn’t care less about a gift

For this category, think much-needed upgrades to the things he already uses or would never think of buying for himself — like new shoes or socks.

If your dad has had the same pair of running shoes for years, these new Hoka Clifton 9’s would be the perfect gift.

If he has a beard, this will be a lifesaver for the most conditioned, healthy-looking beard out there. Containing marula oil, carrot extract, and vitamin E, the serum keeps the skin from getting itchy and dry.

Nothing beats new socks — especially these extra-cushioned ones from Bombas.

Photo: Retailers

You can never go wrong with a candle, especially if it’s designer. Will he know he owns a Moncler candle? No, he’ll be oblivious, but he will always comment on how good it smells. Just never tell him how much it cost.

Photo: Retailers

The same goes for this Hermès body oil. It’s a two-in-one product (which we know dads always love) that has notes of lemon, black tea, and guaiac wood.

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For the dad who loves dad jokes

Whether it’s his birthday or the holidays, sometimes a gag gift is just what your dad needs.

Not really a gag gift but still kind of silly, these vinyl coasters will impress any music fan.

Big Mouth Billy Bass
$40
$40

Either he has seen The Sopranos or loves to fish.

Maybe he has never told a dad joke or tells one too many, but this is sure to tease him into telling a few more.

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For the dad who’s your style inspiration

If he knows that skin care is more than just face wash and likes a handful of fashion brands, he’ll appreciate the following as gifts.

More casual than loafers but more sophisticated than typical backless slides, these Tecovas pull-on shoes are versatile and effortlessly cool. They’re made from durable and comfortable cowhide leather.

Photo: Retailer

If your dad knows there’s more beyond face wash but still needs to venture into the realm of beauty, this is the perfect starter pack from Pharrell’s brand Humanrace. It has the three most important products in one’s routine (a cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer) and the sleekest of packaging.

If traveling in style is important to him, this weekender bag from Rains will surely satisfy. He’ll be able to fit all of his chunky sneakers, plain tees, and his Bermuda shorts in there.

Photo: Retailers

If your dad has great personal style and an eye for interior design, this Burberry book encompasses both interests. Not only will he look incredibly handsome while skimming through the pages, but it will look great in his space as a coffee-table book.

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For the dad who loves gizmos and gadgets

He might place his phone right in front of his face to read a text, but the man still likes his tech toys. If this sounds like your dad, consider the gifts below.

Behold one of the best headlamps on the market. This is sure to impress any dad who loves the outdoors or simply needs some extra lighting to find his keys.

An espresso machine is a great gift idea since it’s a luxurious, nice-to-have item that your dad probably wouldn’t buy for himself. This one will elevate his morning coffee routine (and his kitchen) without taking up too much counter space. It has a manual milk frother, stainless-steel boiler, two-level cup holder, and the ability to make single or double espresso shots.

I spy, with my little eye, a dad who is a tad bit nosey and would love to see your face pop up on the doorbell video when you come home for the holidays.

His devices will never run low on battery, thanks to this wireless charging pad.

Whether he’s a wannabe grill master or just the casual cooker, this meat thermometer is highly rated and the simplest of tools to upgrade his meals.

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For the newly retired dad

Or if he just has too much time on his hands.

If Wordle isn’t enough for him anymore, gift him this New York Times crossword-puzzle book.

Brooklinen’s best-selling waffle robe is a great gift for anyone on your list; it’s a crowd-pleaser that even your dad who’s impossible to shop for will love. The 100 percent Turkish cotton material is lush and buttery soft yet breathable, plus the unique honeycomb weave makes it ultra-absorbent.

You’ve heard of brewing your own kombucha, but take it to the next level with this DIY beer-brewing kit.

From $10

Maybe he wants to learn chess or how to shoot a basketball better. Regardless, he’ll have endless opportunities with a subscription to MasterClass.

Photo: Retailers

Since he’s recently retired, he probably still has a ton of business cards he doesn’t want to trash. This card case will keep them secured. However, this card case is also ideal if he loves to use coupons but needs to keep them neatly organized.

Photo: Retailers

If your recently retired dad has developed hobbies like beach volleyball, surfing, or just long walks by the shore, these shorts from Vuori check all the boxes when it comes to comfort and style.

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For the dad who has a lot of hobbies

One stereotype about dads that’s true more often than not is that they always need to be doing something, whether it’s a home-improvement project, an outdoor activity, or a new hobby. Scroll on to shop for the outdoorsman, the winter-sports lover, and the aspiring bartender.

Shopping for an outdoorsy dad? Consider gifting these super-comfortable, springy, and abrasion-resistant hiking boots that are made with Keen’s signature fusion technology so they won’t fall apart no matter how much he wears them.

If your dad deserves the world this holiday season, gift him the next best thing: luxurious Mackage outerwear. This light down jacket, made from water resistant and repellent materials, is fully lined and features convenient inseam pockets. It also has elasticized details to enable a greater range of movement, which makes it perfect for layering underneath a heavy coat for skiing or other cold-weather activities.

People who love mezcal, like, really love mezcal — and all the intricacies of it. If this sounds like your dad, gift him this book of 50 mezcal-based cocktail recipes, as well as tasting notes and information about how it’s made.

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The 30 Best Holiday Gifts for Dads