Gifts For Dad Who Wants Nothing?

What do you get for the man who has everything? Whether the dad you’re shopping for already has everything he wants, lives a minimalist lifestyle, or is picky about his gifts – some dads are just hard to shop for. This is when you must get creative and resourceful to find a gift with meaning and style that is worthy of the man in your life.

We’ve compiled a quick guide for some of the top gift ideas for dad who wants nothing:

What To Get A Dad Who Says He Wants Nothing?

Parents tend to put themselves at the bottom of the totem pole. After taking care of the needs of everyone else in the house, it can seem frivolous to spend money on hobbies or ask for a gift. But every dad has at least one passion or indulgence that they really enjoy. The best gift for this dad is something he most likely wouldn’t buy himself, but you know he secretly wants.

For example, if the dad you’re shopping for is committed to his physical fitness, you could get him that set of weights he’s been eyeing or a new pair of gym shoes. If he loves to spend hours on the golf course, treat him to a new golf polo or his very own set of golf ball markers. 

For the dad who claims they don’t want anything but really enjoys a certain sport or hobby, there are always gift options to be found. He may try to hide his smile, but you’ll know you scored an A+ on your gift when he puts his new present to good use the very next day.

What Do You Get A Minimalist Dad?

When the man you’re shopping for prefers to keep the clutter in his life to a minimum, this is where “experience gifts” really shine. As sentimental as they may be, this dad probably doesn’t want another homemade macaroni picture frame from the kids or a personalized keychain. 

Instead, pay attention to his likes and dislikes to score tickets to an outing or event he would really enjoy. No matter where you live, there are all kinds of unique experiences and places just waiting to be explored. Consider pursuing a site like LivingSocial or Groupon to find a certificate for a discounted local adventure. 

Some examples include: renting out a Slingshot or sports car for a day, taking a grill master class to learn how to make his favorite BBQ ribs, trying out a set of guitar lessons to channel his inner rockstar, or experiencing a top thrill like skydiving.

These gifts definitely won’t collect dust on the shelf. So for the dad who would rather make memories than buy things, think outside the box and give him a day to remember.

Last Minute Gifts For Dad Who Wants Nothing

Did you wait until the last minute again? Don’t worry – we’ve all been there. With a little bit of effort into finding the right gift, we promise dad won’t even notice.

When you’re in a time crunch, you still have a few great options left for dad including food gifts, subscription gifts, and gift certificates. Everyone loves receiving money, and for many people a gift card for their favorite store or restaurant is as good as cash. If you’ve waited until the last minute, most retailers including Amazon allow you to send a e-gift card to your loved one. 

Unique subscription ideas include: Beer of the Month Club, magazine subscriptions, a prepaid year of their favorite digital TV subscription (i.e. Disney+ or Netflix), a trial run of a clothing service like Stitch Fix, or a few months of gourmet meals from a company like Home Chef. All you need to do is order the service or subscription online and show dad the confirmation email!

Pro Tip: Using a delivery app like Uber Eats or Instacart to order a last-minute gift for dad is much cheaper (and quicker) than using one of the big name gift delivery sites. You’re welcome.

Cheap Gifts For Dad Who Wants Nothing

If you’re on a budget but still want to give dad something to unwrap, you are in luck. With the convenience of online shopping, you can easily find something unique and fun for dad that doesn’t break the bank. Gone are the days of desktop calendars and coffee mugs. If the dad in your life likes gadget and gizmos, there are plenty of innovative new ideas to choose from.

For example, a smartphone screen magnifier is available on Amazon for just $20, or you can get dad a customized vintage camera roll keychain with family photos from Etsy for just $15.99.

Research cheap gifts for men on retailers like the ones above and you are sure to find a variety of ideas you would have never thought of. You just may find a gift he didn’t know he needed!

One last gift idea sure to score you big points: a board game the whole family can play together.

Unique Gifts For Dad Who Wants Nothing

Some dads truly mean it when they say they don’t want anything. After all, if he really wanted it – he would have already bought it himself. Instead, these dads truly just want your presence.

Instead of wasting money on something you know he won’t like or will secretly return, how about giving the gift of your time? Take your dad out to lunch, go see a movie, plan a father-son camping trip, or arrange to help him complete some needed tasks around the house. Consider what chores he may need help with - can you organize his office space or clean out his car? 

On the other hand, if the dad in your life is currently in the trenches of raising young kids, maybe what he really needs is a day off from giving piggyback rides and wiping noses. Either way, quality time never hurts and doesn’t have to cost you a dime.

Another meaningful and unique gift for the dad who has everything is to make a donation to his favorite charity or towards a cause you know he is passionate about.

DIY Gifts For Dad Who Wants Nothing

Last but not least, we have the handmade gift category. DIY gifts always come in clutch even if you’ve waited until the last minute and your dad is hard to buy for. The key is to put in a little extra effort to make sure your gift seems like a smart idea and not a cheap afterthought.

Our kids color our lives with everything they do. Getting the whole family involved in creating a special gift for dad is a fun and thoughtful way to show him how much he is loved.

For some practical DIY gift ideas, consider making coasters out of popsicle sticks, a wallet out of duct tape, or a key holder out of LEGOS.

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Whether you're looking for Christmas gifts for the dad who wants nothing, birthday gifts for the dad who wants nothing, or Father's Day gifts for the dad who wants nothing, you’re sure to find something in the suggestions above that will get you off the hook – at least until next year.

Happy Shopping!