Father’s Day Gift Guide
Happy Father’s Day to all the new dads, the old dads, the dads to angels, the dads to animals, the dads to plants, and all the dads in between! Whether you’re shopping for your dad, your grandpa, your partner, or your friend, getting the dad in your life a good gift can be a big ask. While there are more kinds of dads then I can ever perfectly produce gift guides for, I’ve made a helpful gift guide for a spectrum of dads with a spectrum of interests! You can find the aesthetic divided, expanded, visual version of this gift guide, as well as more of my lifestyle and gifting content on @_mirobug_, feel free to leave any comments or suggestions there, or let me know if you used this gift guide and how it went!
No items listed or links are affiliates or paid promotions, all recommendations are my personal opinion and are endorsed by myself alone and I do not get paid for any recommendations listed below.
Home Baked Cookies
Taste and smell holds so much nostalgia. Whether you used to bake cookies with your dad as a kid, or you found your dad’s mom’s famous cookie recipe, gifting your dad with a sweet nostalgic treat is a heartfelt gift that focuses on memories over consumerism.
Original image by @coziebakes on Instagram (check out all her recipes, they look DIVINE)
DVD Box Set of his Fav Show
It’s probably M*A*S*H, or Lost, or King of the Hill, or Star Trek, but whatever it is, there is probably a sweet DVD box set sitting on eBay or Etsy right now, just waiting to find it’s way to your dads T.V. stand. With streaming platforms changing their catalogs all the time, making sure your dad always has access to his comfort show is a great way to show you see him. This could also be a great way to start watching your dad’s favorite show with him!
I’ve included a link to a box set of M*A*S*H on Depop for $50.00, click on the image to see if that’s still available!
Customized Playing Cards
Playing cards are a dad toolbox staple. Black Jack, Solitaire, Card Castles, a good deck of cards is sure to please! Going the extra mile to customize the cards with sentimental pictures, affirmative phrases, or an inside joke is a great collectable for dad.
Vintage Sweat Shirt
This gift can be so customizable to your dad and is easily purchased secondhand making it great for not just dad but also the planet. When picking out a sweatshirt pick a topic to focus on. Does your dad have a favorite or sentimental vacation spot? Is he big on his old college days? Is he obsessed with a particular show or movie? Maybe he’s really missing a specific brand that has fallen out of existence. Pick something that fits your dad’s personality and get to your local thrift store, eBay, Vinted, or Depop.
Sweatshirt featured is currently available on Poshmark for $39.
Though since there is only one of these, here are some cool sellers to check out that regularly have good vintage sweaters:
@clydevintageclothing on Etsy, most sweaters on their shop range from $25-$75, with vintage sports sweatshirts being their more expensive pieces. Super great stock and lots of variety!
@creamcitythrift on Vinted, most sweaters on their shop are around $25-$50.
A Vintage Ceramic Mug
Like with the sweatshirt, this makes a great gift because it is so customizable and so nostalgic. Go through the same system as with the sweatshirt, what does your dad like? Where does he like to go? What show does he enjoy watching? Thrift Stores and Etsy are going to be your best friend here and the hunt is just as fun for you as the gift will be for him.
Mug pictured is from What When Wares on Etsy for $13.98
Other Options:
This Krispy Kreme Mug from Rainy Day Relics on Etsy for $24.99
Themed Candle
A library scented candle for the bookish dad, a whiskey scented candle for the old fashioned dad, a Malort candle for your heathen of a Chicago dad, if you can think of it, there’s probably a candle for it.
The one picture is the Library ex Libris Candle from Paddywax on Makeup Store for $24.99
Other Options:
This Malort Scented Candle from Rocket Relics on Midwest Nice for $37
This Sweet Whiskey Scented Candle from The Driftwood Home on Etsy for $22
Tote Bag
Never shy away from gifting your dad a bag. He has stuff to carry, and he’s going to need something simple and personal to carry it in. Depending on the dad this also may be a great gift that dad might not purchase for himself but really wants. There is a themed tote bag for every kind of dad, and even if he has one, I’m sure he’d be thrilled to have another.
Tote bag pictured is the Thank You Tote by Moomys Shop by Emely on Etsy for $10
Other Options:
This screen printed Creatures Tote by Fox Coment on Etsy for $20
This hand painted Cat Snake Tote by Catiniata on Etsy for $22.90
Handmade Photo Strip Book Mark
Personalized bookmarks remind your dad every time he opens a book how much you care about him and how many lovely memories you’ve made. I’ve made a handy how-to guide on making this book mark over on my Instagram @_mirobug_ , but there are tons of different ideas and tutorials on Youtube and Pinterest to fit your dad’s unique interests if the photo booth aesthetic isn’t quite his vibe.
Watch my How-To Video on my personal insta @_mirobug_
Access my Canva Template here!
Image in photo by @booktankonular on Instagram
A Bunch of Stickers
One sticker has never been enough! There are a million incredibly talented artists making stickers your dad would absolutely LOVE. Single stickers, sticker sheets, sticker packs, holo stickers, reflective stickers, all can be personalized and are sure to give your dad a smile.
The sticker pictured is the Cool Dads Club Sticker from Dowdy Studio on Etsy for $6.00
Other Options:
This Vintage Design Cat Dad Sticker from Bog Paws Mart on Etsy for $3.23
This #1 Dad Lobster Sticker from Sean Monett on Etsy for $2.00
Check out these shop’s non-dad related stickers, they have a lot of really lovely work!
Vintage Sunglasses
Glasses nowadays all look the same, turn back the clock to the era of men’s glasses with thick frames, reflective glass, sick shapes, and eclectic colors! Etsy, eBay, your local vintage or thrift shop are all going to have glasses that will have your dad looking like McGuiver or John Lennon faster then you can say “Hi Hungry, I’m Dad”.
Other Options:
These Tortoise Shell Aviators from Urban Outfitters for $15
These Round Metal Industrial Sunnies from Sunglass Museum for $40
Coffee Table Book
For the dad obsessed with a niche topic that’s hard to buy for, coffee table books are a life saver. There’s a coffee table book for anything, Vintage Menu Design, Matchbooks, Old Comic Strips, James Bond. This gift can take a little longer to search for and can be in the higher price range, but when you find the perfect book at the perfect price you’ll have no regrets.
Other Options:
This Keith Harring Pop Up Book by Simon Arzipe sold by Poposition Press on Etsy for $59.99
This Leather Bound 100 Hikes of a Lifetime Book on Quince for $144.90
Vintage Key Chain
Every girly-pop and her dog have cute little bag charms and keychains, why should your dad miss out on the joy of a little trinket. Vintage car logo keychains, retro toys and handheld devices, sports memorabilia, or handmade pieces that dad can hook to his keys, bag, belt, or display on a shelf are sure to be a hit!
Keychain pictured is the solid brass Suzuki keychain from Belt Buckle History on Etsy for $25
Other Options:
This Vintage Tamagotchi Keychain from A Vintage Vacation on Etsy for $151.69
This Deadstock Coach PacMan Bag Charm from Hand Bag Closet on Poshmark for $175
Hand Painted Plant Pot
This one is for the plant dads! You don’t need to be good at painting to create a sentimental, memorable piece that your dad will be happy to place on his window sill. You can paint it with inside jokes, his favorite food, even something as simple as his favorite colors. Having something made by you that he can use for his plant obsession will mean the world to him.
Pot in the picture is by the insanely talented ceramicist @dawid_blawicz (if you do open the link be warned that some of their work is NSFW)
Engraved Ring
A little more pricey but a fun and memorable gift! Am I the only one that think men really need to be wearing more jewelry? While bracelets, necklaces, and earrings can be a big jump for the more wary dad, he certainly has already worn a ring. Finding something personal, minimal, and fun is a great way to ease dad into the sparkly, shiny, mf, he truly is on the inside.
Other Options:
This Silver Mountain Ring from Medusa Mythology on Etsy for $40
This Vintage Gold Anchor Ring from Nemesis Jewelry NYC on Etsy for $32
