Father’s Day shopping can be tricky. Dads are notoriously particular with what they really like.
Some Dads claim they don’t need more stuff, but we all know there’s gotta be something they’d be tickled to have. Finding a unique item that’s also useful is the key to surprising your father with a gift that brings a real smile – not a fake one.
If you’re looking for something beyond ties and grill brushes, check out these Father’s Day gifts. They’re all highly rated on Amazon for under $30.
1. Salt Cellar
The cooking dad might not know he needs a salt cellar. These handy counter-top containers are lauded by top chefs for the convenience they bring when you just need a pinch or two of salt – which is usually!
This one has a swivel cover and is made from acacia wood. About 3.5 inches wide. It can be used for any number of spices or small items.
What reviewers are saying: “This is a fantastic salt crock. My wife and I moved into a smaller house with a smaller kitchen and needed to save space where we could. This salt crock was the perfect addition to our kitchen. It is sturdy and well made, holding just the right amount of salt to avoid needing to fill it on a constant basis. The magnet that goes the top in place works extremely well. This is fantastic product that I would buy again and highly recommend. I would also recommend it as a gift to any foodie!” –JF
Buy it on Amazon for $13.04.
2. Hiking Water Filter
The hiking dad might be tickled to get a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. This little fella allows you to drink from water sources that are usually off limits. It can filter contaminates like bacteria and parasites, so water is above EPA standards.
It’s lightweight and filters up to 1,000 gallons.
What reviewers are saying: “This thing is no joke! I took it backpacking on Maine’s Bigelow range. When I ran out of the water I brought, I was A-ok with this. I drank from the most disgusting looking crevice filled with brown scum. I thought, this is going to be safe, but taste horrid. WRONG. TASTED LIKE THE FRESHEST SPRING WATER. Better than any tap. … Get one for your outdoor adventures, and one for your bug-out bag, which everyone should have in case of natural disaster.” – AC
Buy it on Amazon for $17.47.
3. Hot Honey
Get your dad on point with the latest flavor craze – hot honey. If your dad’s the type who like hot sauce, try this hip honey with a spicy twist.
He can drizzle it on wings, pizza, cheese and more for a sweet- heat combo.
What reviewers are saying: “LOVE IT! Great honey taste with just a bite of heat at the end. My husband loves “hot” and even grows his own peppers to eat on anything. He really likes this on his French toast and I like it with peanut butter. However, I just made baked beans and added tablespoon of Mike’s Hot in addition to the brown sugar (reduced amount) and they were the BEST baked beans ever!” – Ritakc
Buy it on Amazon for $8.48.
4. Joke Book
If your dad is a big jokester – or tries to be – give him some cheesy fodder with the ultimate Dad Jokes book of “Terribly Good Dad Jokes.”
What reviewers are saying: “I liked that it was small and paper back. I may hate myself later for giving him more ammo, but I love him enough to put up with the jokes. They are clean and funny, so my kid will get a giggle out of silly old Dad as well.” – TeePee
Buy it on Amazon for $6.99.
5. Grill Light
Grilling dads may think they already have enough fancy tools – but have they thought about their nighttime cooking needs?
Magnetic grill lights should be a staple on everyone’s grill. These LED clamp-on lights are flexible and weather-resistant.
What reviewers are saying: “This was a surprise for my husband. He loves them. The lights are nice and bright and make grilling those last few things that didn’t get finished before dark hot. He’s also used them early in the morning when he’s setting the smoker up before dawn. He’s happy and finding them very useful. He especially loves the magnet on bottom so he can hang them off of so many things while he’s busy and he can use the flexibility to shine them where he needs them. Very awesome and easy to use.” – Holly Gomez
Buy it on Amazon for $24.95. Comes with two lights per purchase.
6. Electric Cork Opener
For wine-loving dads, an electric wine bottle opener can make pulling corks a cinch. This Secura blue light opener has been getting rave reviews. It’s also good for gadget-loving dads!
What reviewers are saying: “Best wind bottle opener I’ve had so far. I love this wine bottle opener. The best feature is that you can clearly see-through the blue screen how far the opener is going into the cork, as well as when it has fully extracted the cork. Wonderful new feature which I have not seen before I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but so far it works great and very fast. Excellent product.” – Kirsten Anderson
Buy it on Amazon for $29.99.
7. Jigsaw Puzzle
Dads who are fans of jigsaw puzzle will face a challenge with this galactic 1,000 piece puzzle. The colorful end result will leave puzzle lovers feeling happily smug. Expect a picture from him of his final product.
What reviewers are saying: “Very happy with this puzzle, it comes with a true to size layout paper which truly helps narrow down where to place each piece. It did not feel overwhelming because of its size, it was nice to assemble, good picture quality and accurate display of the solar system..” – AmazanJ
Buy it on Amazon for $14.56.
8. Stuffed Hamburger Press
In more ideas for cooking dads, a stuffed hamburger press can help turn plain burgers into bites of wow.
Make a perfectly shaped burger in three sizes. You can make it just plain – or tucked with cheesy stuffing.
What reviewers are saying: “The press made a perfect indentation in the patty which I filled with crumbled bacon and Gorgonzola cheese. I used a second patty of about 2 1/4 ounces which I pre-formed and placed on top, then covered with plastic wrap and pressed to seal. Burgers popped out easily and clean up was minimal since I used the plastic wrap. The most important part — the burgers were great!! I’ve already purchased a second one as a gift. Can’t wait to experiment with different fillings … maybe jalapeños and cream cheese next …” – Skeeta P.
Buy it on Amazon for $10.86.
9. Squirrel Picnic Tables
Is your dad in a war with squirrels? Help him extend an olive branch with these miniature squirrel picnic tables.
Now, the squirrels can perch in their own section with a corn on the cob instead of invading his bird feeders. You’ve gotta love it – and so does he.
What reviewers are saying: “For the last couple of years we’ve had issues with destructive squirrels in our yard. They chewed through a beam in our pergola, destroyed our veggie garden and even ate the eggs right of a bird’s nest. We sprayed a repellent and that worked temporarily, but you need to re-apply every month. I ordered the Picnic Table Feeder, not to use as a feeder but rather as a deterrent. We put it on a tree on the opposite side of the yard with some feed corn and it worked! I haven’t seen a squirrel in our pergola or pool area in weeks, but we can still enjoy watching them eat and play from a distance.” – M.S.
Buy it on Amazon for $25.95.
10. Pistachio Bowl
For pistachio lovers who also love to leave their shells in the bowl, it is high time for some help from this clever nut bowl. Add a nice bag of nuts and you’ve got a gift basket.
Now, he can still toss the shells right back into the bowl where he got them. Only this time they’ll sorted underneath.
What reviewers are saying: “I bought this for my dad and he loves his seeds and nuts. I totally recommend it. It’s big enough to hold a lot of it on top and for the bowl part which is “trash” it’s big enough to hold so you can dispose of it when you’re done.” – Julie
Buy it on Amazon for $9.35.
11. Whisky Ice Mold
And for whisky-sipping dads, try adding fancy-schmancy flare to his ice cubes with a sphere ice mold.
What reviewers are saying: “Perfect gift idea for whiskey drinkers! They pop out really easily and fill all the way to the top. It takes a while to freeze so we just fill as we use. Love these!” – Chelsea
Buy it on Amazon for $10.99.
12. Woodworking Magazine
Woodworking dads might find some inspiration with a subscription to Wood, a monthly magazine with project ideas for all skill levels.
What reviewers are saying: “I’ve subscribed to Wood magazine for about ten years. It is good for the medium to expert woodworker with clear directions, cutting diagrams, and color pictures that show you the various steps of the monthly projects. I also like the shop tips, and wishing I had an unlimited budget to purchase all of the tools reviewed in the magazine as well as what is advertised. The projects vary each month, and there is always something I want to try in each issue.” – Michael
Buy it on Amazon for $22 for a 1-year subscription.
13. Personalized Book
Father’s Day is the perfect time to try to tug at heart strings. With a “fill in the love” book, he’ll get a personalized snapshot of why you think he’s the best dad ever.
It’s a little book, so he can easily tote it with him wherever he needs a reminder of his greatness.
What reviewers are saying: “Bought one for my husband from our young children and bought another for my dad. Both men have the love language of “words of affirmation”. It brought them to tears on one page and had them laughing on the next. The paper quality is amazing! Very well so that it doesn’t bleed to the next page. I used a good quality, black gel pen. The book was covered in a clear plastic sleeve with instructions. Buy tissues too because he will need them. Such a well bound book with excellent cover. This will be a book you keep forever and ever. Best gift I ever gave my dad (and he agreed).” – Stdcam13
Buy it on Amazon for $7.43.
14. Personalized Cutting Board
Dads who spend some time in the kitchen or at the grill may find a personalized cutting board can add some personality to routine tasks.
Get this charming bamboo cutting board can be engraved with his initials, family name or a special date.
What reviewers are saying: “Wow!!!! Highly impressed by this cutting board!! Wow! High quality wood, durable, love the writing & style, love the color of the woods, beautiful, love the fact that it was designed fast and shipped super dooper fast, and I can’t say enough about this cutting board, it’s awesome!!!” – Amanda E.
Buy it on Amazon starting at $28.99.
15. Fancy Golf Balls
Golfing dads could always use a set of high-quality golf balls, unique in both color and texture.
If your dad spends a ton of time on the greens, opening this box of Callaway Golf Super Hot bright green golf balls Father’s Day gift will be a sure win.
What reviewers are saying: “I’m a golf snob but only bought these for a scramble to have some fun and stand out when assessing shots. My 8.5 index usually sports a ProV1 or X depending on temperature. The huge benefit is with the long irons and hybrids but I think this will make you slow down your driver speed in a very good way. It produces “easy” distance and you will get comfortable swing 70-80% speed and it jumps off the face. Excellent control around the greens and your putter will like soft feel. The surface texture is very unique!” – ARK
Buy it on Amazon for $24.99.
16. Gourmet Beef Jerky
Lots of dads are big fans of beef jerky, but they rarely get the treat for themselves. This Limon Con Chile Handmade Beef Jerky from People’s Choice steps it up a notch with the flavor, while keeping free of artificial ingredients and preservatives.
What reviewers are saying: ” I have been trying different kinds and different brands of jerky, but People’s Choice hit the nail right on the head. those others who claim to make the best jerky, are so far off. This beef jerky has the perfect texture and isn’t too tough or too soft, It’s perfect and does not have any nerve endings or tendons or any tough to chew pieces. All are consistently the same. I ordered 3 packages in my first order, and have already ordered another 4 packages, because I don’t want to run out. I offer to friends, family and co workers, whom all agree that its the best. Thank you at People’s Choice Beef Jerky for producing an out of the ordinary high quality product. You have my business and I will definitely recommend your product always. Two big thumbs up.” — Javier
Buy it on Amazon for $29.99.
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