Finding the perfect gift can be a challenge, especially when you’re choosing one for someone you want to impress – your father-in-law. He’s the man who raised your other half and still holds considerable sway in their life and, by extension, yours. Whether your father-in-law is a stereotypical macho man who loves outdoor adventures and DIY tasks, or more of a sophisticated homebody who enjoys fine wine and good literature, it’s crucial you select the right gift that fits his personality and interests.
Remember, the goal is to make him feel appreciated and respected, all the while subtly reminding him of your excellent taste and decision-making skills. With this in mind, we’ve done all the legwork for you and put together a list of 35 unique gift ideas that will impress even the toughest of father-in-law’s.
From the practical to the extravagantly thoughtful, here’s your no-fail guide to securing your position as the favorite son or daughter-in-law. Pour yourself a stiff drink, exhale that stress away, and get ready to peruse this list with confidence, humor and an open mind.
1. The iPhone 13 Pro: If your father-in-law’s an ardent Apple fan, this latest offering from Apple promises to thrust him into the world of technological advancement like never before. He may be a little irritated about having to learn new features, but boy, will he be showing off that ProMotion display on the golf course.
2. Personalized whiskey decanter set: For the FIL who fancies himself a whiskey connoisseur, this stylish relic of a bygone era will be a hit. Engraved with his initials, he’ll think fondly of you with each pour – even if he prefers his whiskey on the rocks to your pure.
3. Yeti Cooler: Ideal for the outdoor-loving father-in-law. He can complain about its weight while admiring its insulation technology that keeps his beers icy cold during fishing trips.
4. Crosley Radio Cruiser Deluxe Turntable: For the FIL that loves his old records. Yes, he might scoff at the lack of tube amplification, but he’ll appreciate the portability.
5. Five-star rated Italian Cooking Classes: Whether he loves cooking or can’t boil water, he’ll enjoy this immersive holiday to the culinary world. And there’s a chance you might get better lasagna out of the deal.
6. William Shakespeare’s Complete Works: For a father-in-law who appreciates literature. Just don’t blame us if he starts quoting sonnets.
7. BBQ Smoker: If he loves barbecue, he’ll adore this smoky gift; though, be aware that you’re signing up for even more “Pulled Pork Sundays.”
8. Luxury shaving kit: It’s more manly than it sounds and will give him a little taste of luxury every morning. Now if only it could make his bathroom cleanup any faster!
9. Personalized BBQ apron: A great pick for the grill master. It might encourage him to cook more ribs, although it guarantees more ‘dad’ jokes quicker than you can say ‘medium-rare’.
10. MasterClass Subscription: For the perpetual learner. Steve Martin’s comedy class might just be his retirement calling.
11. Garmin Golf Watch: Perfect for the golf-obsessed FIL. This nifty gadget calculates distances, records stats, and alerts him to incoming storms. It doesn’t, however, improve his short game.
12. Wine Club Subscription: For the FIL who believes every meal should be accompanied by a perfectly matched bottle. Just remember, you risk turning family dinners into wine tastings.
13. Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-tool: For the DIY enthusiast. It might mean he takes on more home projects than necessary, but it’s worth it when he’s the one fixing that squeaky door.
14. Fitness wearables: To encourage his fitness endeavors. He might get obsessive about his daily step count, but his health is worth it!
15. NFL Tickets: For the die-hard football fan. Just prepare for his amplified excitement – and potential paint-induced headaches.
16. Bosca Men’s Bifold Wallet: Even the most frugal of dads can’t resist a good quality wallet. Plus, this way he’ll have somewhere stylish to keep all those loyalty cards!
17. AncestryDNA Kit: If your FIL is fascinated by family history. You’re inadvertently bonding yourself to endless fascinating tales of Victorian second-cousins-thrice-removed.
18. Italian Leather Journey Bag: For the traveling father-in-law. Just brace yourself for more travel stories at the dinner table.
19. Electric wine opener: He’ll love the convenience; you’ll love not having to watch him wrestle with the corkscrew anymore.
20. Kindle Paperwhite: For the bookworm. He’ll gripe about missing the feel of ‘real books’, but will read twice as much due to its convenience.
21. Omaha Steaks Gift Box: Perfect for the meat-loving FIL. It could increase those barbecue sessions, with you as the designated grill scrubber.
22. Roku Streaming Stick: For the movie buff. He may need help setting it up, but the payoff is countless hours of bonding over shared favorite movies.
23. Indoor putting green: For the golfer without enough daylight. Beware of new house rules about not stepping on the “greens.”
24. Custom-made Cufflinks: Smart, sleek, and a constant reminder of your good taste! You’ll just need to bear the occasional pun about being ‘linked’ to the family now.
25. Coffee subscription box: Guaranteed to please the coffee lover. Do expect more lively, caffeine-fueled conversations.
26. Neoprene dumbbell set: For the fitness-focused FIL. Be ready for arm wrestling contests at every family gathering.
27. Fishing gear: For the fisherman father-in-law. Just be prepared for more fish tales and maybe a few surprise fishing trips.
28. Voice-controlled smart speaker: For tech-enthusiast FILs. He’ll likely have a tricky time learning the commands but will love the hands-free music control.
29. Personalized grilling tools: For the king of barbecue. Just be warned, you are entering a lifetime of burger flipping contests.
30. Premium Tequila: For the man who appreciates a good drink. Just remember to keep the hangover cures to hand.
31. Mixology Bartender Kit: For an aspiring mixologist. You might need to develop a penchant for cocktails and tolerate his “experiments.”
32. Leather shoe care kit: For the dapper father-in-law who values well-kept shoes. He may talk more about his Brogues, but at least they’ll be shiny.
33. Premium poker set: For the FIL who enjoys a good game night. Do expect a new tradition of poker games; prep your poker face.
34. Charbroil grill: For the father-in-law with a passion for outdoor cooking. Be prepared for a lot of steaks and “how do you like your burgers?”
35. Pajama set: For the father-in-law who values comfort over everything. Get ready for more relaxed evenings filled with beer, football, and heartwarming family time.
Finding the perfect gift for your father-in-law can enhance your bond with him. Do not stress too much over it because at the end of the day, it’s the thought that counts. Happy shopping!