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Many dads insist they "don't need anything" when it comes to gifts. If you're shopping for a dad or father-figure in your life who doesn't feel comfortable with expensive presents, is wary of extraneous stuff that clutters his home, or just simply feels a gift is unnecessary, it can be tough to know where to look if you still want to show your appreciation for all that he does.
We've got a few gift suggestions below, ranging from thoughtful keepsakes that are worth more than their price tag to useful items that will upgrade his lifestyle.
19 slam-dunk gifts for the dad who says he doesn't want anything:
A luxe movie night in
The Original Proper Popper Popcorn Maker, $15.99, available at Amazon
Sur La Table Popcorn Movie Night Set, $24.95, available at Sur La Table
Grubhub Gift Card, from $10, available at Grubhub
If Dad doesn't need another tchotchke and he'd rather just spend the time with his kids, give him a souped-up version of his favorite night in — like a theater-grade movie night. Coordinate getting the group together, bring popcorn (maybe some fun popcorn seasoning), his favorite drinks, and order or cook a meal together. For this gift, it's the thoughtfulness that matters.
A heartfelt keepsake he'll have for years
Handwritten Message Money Clip, $185, available at Uncommon Goods
Dads who don't want anything may appreciate something that's worth more than the convenience it promises or the money it costs. This money clip is something he can keep for many years, and you can inscribe a note in it in your own handwriting.
Smart lights for the perfect lighting
Philips Hue LED Smart Bulbs, $179.99, available at Amazon
Smart lights are one of those unexpectedly wonderful gifts; it's something he may not buy for himself but will be often grateful to own. If he has an Alexa or Google Assistant, these connect to those devices, too.
A gift card for a weekend away
Airbnb Gift Card, from $25, available at Airbnb
Grab Dad an Airbnb gift card for a weekend away — solo, with his partner, or plan a casual weekend getaway within driving distance for the whole family.
Tickets to his idea of the best concert or game
StubHub eGift Card, from $100, available at StubHub
If Dad doesn't want anything, he might just not want anything material. Give him an experience you know he'll have a blast at — like a live concert or game.
A heartfelt card
'If at first you don't succeed call dad' Father's Day Card, from $4.49, available at Etsy
Take some time to tell your dad how much you care. You can gift him a unique card that's sentimental and sweet, funny, or a hand-drawn version of your favorite memory together if you're really aiming for a thoughtful, low-cost keepsake.
A personalized watercolor painting of the family pets
Pet Watercolor Portrait, from $71.20, available at Etsy
Sometimes "I don't want anything" means "I don't want anything that I can think of." This pet portrait memorializes your furry family members in a sweet way he may love to see around the house.
Personalized mugs for each family member
Personalized Family Mugs, from $32, available at Uncommon goods
If your dad doesn't want more stuff but loves memorabilia and keepsakes, get him personalized mugs that represent each member of the family — complete with the year the family was "established."
A small gift that's a big life upgrade
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug, $149.95, available at Best Buy
Listen, he may not want more things — but pretty much all of us appreciate things that make an infinitesimal improvement in our daily lives. And for some of our coworkers, that's Ember. It'll keep his drink hot for hours, so he never has to toss a forgotten cup in the microwave or drop its contents down the sink again. You can read a full review of the Ember Mug here.
If the Ember is out of your price range, we also love YETI and Hydro Flask for their temperature control.
Nice, thick socks he won't have to constantly replace
Men's Performance Running Ankle Socks (6-Pack), $94.05, available at Bombas
We all love a good pair of socks. It's one of the few aspects of our closet that we wear nearly every day — so a truly excellent sock will go a long way in making his days more comfortable. Bombas happen to be some of our favorites.
A versatile, comfortable shirt he will wear consistently
Versatile Shirt, from $54, available at Ten Thousand
We love this shirt, and Dad will, too. Ten Thousand's Versatile Shirt is our go-to for any kind of workout; we wear it running, biking, lifting weights, and while doing yoga. It's supremely comfortable, has a flattering fit, and doesn't chafe or feel constricting — so much so that our fitness and health editor owns four in a few different colors. It's one of Insider's All-Time Best products, and you can read a full review of the Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt here.
A regular meditation practice
Headspace subscription, from $12.99, available at Headspace
Maybe he really doesn't need or want anything. For that dad, maybe he'd most appreciate something that brings him closer to the present. Headspace is a meditation app, and we know mindfulness can be an important part of personal happiness.
A lush plant to nurture
Snake Plant Laurentii, from $50, available at The Sill
Give him something lush and green to nurture, like a beautiful plant. This one from The Sill is labeled "easy care" so it shouldn't be too high-maintenance for a newcomer. Plus, it'll be delivered to their doorstep.
One thing to note is that some plants aren't recommended for homes with pets, so that's worth considering in your selection.
An easy indoor garden for fresh herbs
Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden, $24, available at Uncommon Goods
These windowsill-grown herbs require minimal effort — next to none — and make home cooking taste so much better.
A weighted blanket
Gravity Weighted Blanket, from $249.99, available at Gravity
We know he doesn't want more things, but weighted blankets are some of our all-time favorite gifts — and, in our experience, everyone ends up loving them. They've been used to reduce insomnia and ease anxiety, and we find the swaddling feeling we get from them to be unbelievably comforting. We've also had some of the best and most consistent sleep of our life under them.
If you want more options, you'll find all of our favorite weighted blankets here, plus different price ranges. This is our top pick for extra-heavy blankets.
A useful iPhone charger
Courant Wireless Charging Accessory Tray, $175, available at West Elm
None of us are immune to the charms of convenient tech — and this tray will charge his phone by touch without him needing to plug it in or take off the case.
A comic strip featuring him as the protagonist
Custom Comic Strip, from $514.04, available at Etsy
Give dad a lifetime collectible: a comic strip featuring him as the protagonist.
A soft, pullover Patagonia sweater he'll wear all the time
Patagonia Micro D Snap-T Fleece Pullover, $89, available at REI
Convenient, comfortable, versatile. If he is to unwrap any more clothing, let it be this sweater — which he will probably love and wear routinely.
A gift card to a fun cooking class
Foodie Gift Card, from $10, available at Cozymeal
If his "I don't want anything" comes from a desire to have more experiences, he might love Cozymeal, a service that lets him take a local cooking class. Cozymeal has classes in dozens of US cities, but also offers virtual classes if he'd prefer that instead.
Mara Leighton
Senior Digital Culture Reporter
Mara Leighton is a senior digital culture reporter.
If you want to get in touch, please send an email to mleighton@insider.com, or send a DM on twitter to @maraleighton.
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