50 clever and practical gifts for dad under $50
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Whether you're looking to rag on dad or show him all the love and kindness in the world (which are really one in the same, right?), we've got gift ideas for every kind of dad, from the hapless car-key-losing fool to the history buff and the masterful (and not-so-masterful) home chef.
Whatever it is that dad's into, something below is bound to make him smile, laugh, cry, or, hopefully, all of the above. You've been a pain and a nuisance all along; why change now?
Still shopping for more gifts? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2018 here.
A classy lunchbox with a cutting board top
Lunch Box with Cutting Board Lid, available at Uncommon Goods, $30
Don't send dad off to work (or school, as the case may be) with a brown bag. If you think it's embarrassing for you, it's definitely embarrassing for him.
A fish-shaped waiter's key
Deep Sea Bottle Opener, available at Uncommon Goods, $41
A nice piece for the bar to replace that ratty old plastic thing he stole from Holiday Inn before you were born and life was good.
A 3-month Amazon Prime Subscription
An Amazon Prime membership, available at Amazon, three months for $39
He'll pick up on it. Just get him started.
An Amazon smart plug
Amazon Smart Plug, available at Amazon, $24.99
If the thought of talking to Alexa blew his mind, wait till he starts using these.
A coffee table book-ode to American whiskey
"The Art of American Whiskey," available at Amazon, $15.94
Whether or not dad's a drinker, there's some deep-seated American history in Rothbaum's collection that no one can deny.
An Anthony Bourdain cookbook illustrated by Ralph Steadman
"Appetites: A Cookbook," available on Amazon, $26.81
Because, according to both Jacques Pepin and this book's late author, no grown man should ever go without knowing how to cook an omelet.
An avocado tree starter set
Avocado Tree Starter Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $20
Setting these up will be almost as enjoyable as the fruits of his labor. And while it may take a while to yield, everybody wins with this gift.
The story of Bacardi, and the fight for Cuba
Bacardi: The Long Fight for Cuba, available at Amazon, $16.98
History and rum. What more intrigue does a dad need?
A folding bamboo laptop desk
Homfa Bamboo Laptop Desk with Tilting Top Drawer, available at Amazon, $32.99
Or a breakfast-in-bed tray, as he likes.
A beard care kit
Love Your Beard Care Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $38
Stop letting dad go out with that scraggly Jeremiah Johnson beard and get him some beard oil and balm to shape it up a little.
A Bloody Mary garnish branch
Bloody Mary Cocktail Branches, available at Uncommon Goods, $18
If his Bloody Mary game is ever lacking, this will surely be incentive to start bedazzling them.
Bottle locks to keep you out of the liquor cabinet
Tantalus Bottle Locks, available at Amazon, six for $49.90
So you can stop getting blamed for your younger siblings' delinquency. Then again, you might be shooting yourself in the foot for this one.
A carry-on cocktail kit to take the edge off the flight
The Carry On Cocktail Kit: The Old Fashioned, available at Amazon, $17.49
Dad's sick of the same old scotch and soda he drinks on his red eyes. Help him change it up a bit.
A pillow just for naps
Casper Nap Pillow, available at Casper, $35
What's more precious to dad than his naps? Well, besides you...
A lava pizza stone
Italian Lava Pizza Stone, available at Williams Sonoma, $39.99
If he's using a baking sheet — or worse, nothing but tin foil — to make pizzas, there's no need to discuss it: It's time for a change.
A chambray and leather apron
Chambray Grey Apron, available at Crate & Barrel, $29.95
No more bacon grease stains on his favorite football jersey.
A comb for life
Chicago Comb Model No. 1, available at Amazon, $39
This will likely outlast his hair, but when it does, he'll look at it as a fond memory of his long-lost locks — of which, he'll dare not let you forget, you singlehandedly stripped him during your formative years.
A chocolate and coffee sip and taste set
Bean Box Coffee & Chocolate Gift Box, available at Amazon, $38
Four pouches of gourmet coffee, beans whole or ground, paired with four chocolate bars and tasting notes.
Cufflinks from recycled circuit boards
Reclaimed Circuit Board Cufflinks, available at Uncommon Goods, $49.95
For his inner computer nerd, whether he'll admit it's there or not.
An Amazon Echo Dot
Amazon Echo Dot, 2nd Generation, available at Amazon, $39.99
The 2nd generation of the Amazon Echo Dot is less expensive, yet more compatible and compact than it's next-generation replacement. Get this for dad while supplies last. If you don't believe me, let one of our texperts explain.
Organic foot and shoe powder
TrueNaturals All-Natural Foot and Shoe Powder, available at Uncommon Goods, $23
A not-so-subtle gift for the whole family, but if there's ever a time to let dad know that his feet stink to high heaven, it's the holiday season.
A custom graphic map of his favorite city
Custom Map Poster, available at Grafomap, starting at $49
You can make one of your dad's hometown, his college town, his favorite travel destination, or the place where he got engaged or married — you're only limited by your imagination.
A guitar pick punch
Pick Punch, available at Uncommon Goods, $25
If dad doesn't already play the guitar, it's time. There is no instrument more "dad" than the ax. But, just as he loses his keys, he'll constantly find himself in want of a pick. Make no mistake, this little tool will save him a few bucks over the years. Old gift cards and credit cards are fair game, but beware: so is your fake ID.
A handmade wooden back massager
Handmade Wooden Rope Back Massager, available at Uncommon Goods, $24
Dad could always use a massage, but this is for those times when no one is in the mood to give him one.
A Himalayan salt stone
Himalayan Salt BBQ Block, available at Uncommon Goods, $29.99
Heavy salting and charring might not be the best thing for dear old dad's body, but it is simply rhapsodic to his soul.
Himalayan salt tequila glasses
Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses, available at Uncommon Goods, four for $28
More salt? Yes, we know. But if dad is anything of a tequila drinker, we're sure there's no better vessel from which to send (or sip) it down his gullet than these hand-carved salt glasses.
A kit to make his own hot sauce
Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $34.95
Help dad ditch the Cholula and sriracha and tap into his creative side. Even if you've never seen it, it's there. We promise.
A hot toddy spice kit
Hot Toddy Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $38
If he's being a Grinch or a Scrooge, nothing will put him in the holiday spirit faster.
An exfoliating coffee scrub
Le Labo Coffee Body Scrub, available at Nordstrom, $44
Whether or not your father's blackheads are shaping into braille, this scrub will leave his skin soft and smooth. As for that stubbly five o'clock shadow? Have a look at one of our shaving kits.
An eco-friendly enamel shaving kit
Napa Soap Eco-Friendly Enamel Shaving Gift Set, available at Amazon, $29.95
Banish the electric razor from your house by reminding your dad how lovely it is to shave with a real razor, a fine brush, and thick, frothy soap from a mug.
Also, check out our buying guide to the best shaving supplies here.
An assortment of liquor and beer nuts
Beer & Bourbon Nuts, available at Uncommon Goods, $38
Because no dad should ever be left with bourbon and no nuts.
A crate of ramen noodles and accouterments
Ramen Connoisseur Crate, available at Man Crates, $49.99
If dad's a ramen fiend, he'll love this.
Check out other options from Man Crates here.
A classic French shellfish shucking tool
Opinel Shucking Tool #9, available at Amazon, $20
There may be no other single gizmo that will make dad feel more like a man than a shucking tool. A classic design that hasn't changed in, like, forever, Opinel has been making knives of all shapes and sizes for almost 130 years. This shucking tool is an all-in-one that can handle oysters and clams.
For an oyster-specific knife, my personal favorite from spending a few months behind an oyster bar is the Dexter New Haven Blade that's available on Amazon for $12.
Adjustable silicone bands for organizing
Packbands Adjustable Straps, available at eBay, three-pack for $19.95
A solution to anything and everything from tools and loose wires to poorly packed suitcases.
An emergency pizza rescue kit
Pizza Rescue Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $15
For when delivery pizza doesn't quite deliver.
A faux succulent Bluetooth speaker
Succulent Speaker, available at Amazon, $13.97
No matter how black his thumb, there is no way he can kill this thing (at least, we hope).
A folding multitool for his inner chef
A Chef's Portable Multi-Tool, available at Uncommon Goods, $32
His campfire meals can only improve with this thing along for the trip.
A refreshing aftershave
Proraso After Shave Lotion, available at Amazon, $14
Help dad feel fresh and clean. He's getting old. Also, check out our buying guide to the best shaving supplies here.
A soft pretzel and beer mustard making kit
Pretzel and Beer Mustard Gift Set, available at Amazon, $32.99
Dad deserves a pretzel made with love, even if he has to make it himself.
Cube-shaped steel drink chillers
Brookstone n'ICE Cubes Stainless Steel Drink Chillers, available at Brookstone, six for $9.99
Those big whiskey rocks can be heavy, if altogether unnecessary. Here's a more refined, pared down option to chill his spirits.
An illustrated book on sushi
"Sushi: Jiro Gastronomy," available at Amazon, $10.19
Inspiration for dad in the kitchen, or maybe just sushi smut.
A key finder
Tile Mate Key Finder, available at Amazon, $39.99
A compact key tracker for your hapless car-key-losing fool of a dad is honestly a really thoughtful and practical gift.
A money clip full of tools
Credit Card Multitool Wallet With Money Clip, available at Amazon, $19.99
If dad's a tool guy, he can't possibly not appreciate having one of these on him at all times. If he isn't, and if he never even uses the thing, it'll at the very least make him feel like he's MacGuyver.
Bison-down trail socks
United By Blue Bison Wool Socks, available at United By Blue, $38
Socks might seem boring to you now, but wait till you're a dad. Socks like these will be worth their weight in gold.
A nearly indestructible fishing rod
Ugly Stik Elite Fishing Rod, available at Amazon, $49,95
If dad's the kind of guy who breaks things (aren't all dads?), this is the fishing rod for him.
A set of Waterford whisky glasses
Marquis by Waterford Double Old Fashioned Glasses, available at Amazon, four for $39.95
Your dad's a classy guy, and even if he's not, he should be drinking from crystal — if not platinum — by now, if for no other reason than all the years he's had to put up with you.
A pair of durable stainless steel pint glasses that keep drinks cold for hours
YETI Rambler Stackable Stainless Steel Pint Glasses, available at YETI, two for $49.99
More things he can't possibly break or kill.
A sandalwood-scented starter shaving set
The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Starter Kit, available at The Art of Shaving, $30
In case you've been looking for a way to let dad know that it's time to shave that patchy, salt-and-pepper-colored thing that is growing on his face.
An outdoor fondue set
Outdoor Fondue Pot, available at Uncommon Goods, $39.99
For "rugged" weekends in the great outdoors.
A huge custom cardboard cutout of your lovely face
3-Foot Cardboard Face Cutout, available at Amazon, $44.99
Lest he forgets his one and only pride and joy.
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