When I think about gifts for dads, I think a lot about utility — how can you get him something he’ll actually use? There are a lot of answers, but if you have the budget, the quickest, easiest options are often expensive. Well-made stuff just costs more, but if the item is worth the price tag, he’ll get many more years of use out of it than something charming but flimsily made. To find the best bang for your buck, I combed through the Strategist’s deep archive of cool-dad content and relied on my knowledge as the resident gifts-for-dads expert to find 12 presents that are worth the expense. And for more holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list — from teen boys and new grandparents to Swifties and birders — check out our hub here.
High-tech recovery boots
These compression boots will cut down his recovery time after a workout. They’re recommended by Strategist fitness writer Jeremy Rellosa — and cool-dad Jason Schwartzman, who calls them “a total game-changing extravagance.”
Stoner- and chef-approved infuser
Modernist art book set
The three-volume set of Josef Albers’s seminal work of color theory is a delight to page through, whether he is an artist or just deciding what color to paint the bathroom.
Made-in-the-USA sweatsuit
A sturdy, well-made, heavyweight pair of sweatpants and a hoodie with a ’90s fit that will last him for decades. It’s especially great for dads who grumble that nothing’s made as well as it used to be.
Powerful pizza oven
“If you want to see a grown chef cry, gift them an Ooni,” Strategist food and dining writer Emma Wartzman writes. It heats up to a maximum temperature of 950 degrees Fahrenheit, ideal for the perfect Neapolitan-style char.
Big Brother camera for birds
This Wi-Fi-enabled bird feeder has a camera that will allow him to catch small moments of backyard bird drama he’d otherwise miss — and it has an alarm he can use to drive away squirrels.
The best smart watch and fitness tracker
According to both our tech writer and fitness writer, it’s the best one on the market.
The Egyptian cotton socks the pope wears
Although Pope Francis’s Gammarelli socks are white — cardinals wear these red ones. They’re made in Italy by a company that has manufactured fine ecclesiastical garments since 1798.
DJ turntable
“The 1200 was the standard when it came out in the ’70s, and it’s been the standard ever since,” says Mike Davis, owner of New York City’s Academy Records. It’s a splurge, but DJs and record collectors swear by it.
International cheeses and meats
Four French cheeses, a third of a pound of truffle salami, one happy dad.
A cooler that will last a lifetime
It’s been called “the Birkin of coolers” — durable, well made, and incredible at keeping things cold. Fill it with his favorite drink if you’re feeling extra-nice.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
