Past the tie: Father’s Day gift ideas worth skipping the socks for

Dads always say they don’t need anything for Father’s Day, but since it’s a thoughtful tradition to give gifts during these special occasions, they always end up receiving the usual novelties like a mug or a pair of socks.

Instead of going for the standard picks, choose something your dad will actually appreciate. In this guide, we’ve listed some Father’s Day gift ideas, ranging from practical everyday items to personalised keepsakes, so you can find the best gift to make your dad’s day.

Father’s Day gifts for every kind of dad

Father receiving a wrapped gift from his daughter at home (Source: iStock)

Every dad is unique. Some are homebodies who love working on projects around the house, while others are always excitedly planning their next outdoor adventure. There are even dads who light up talking about food. Whatever kind of dad you have, you’ll find an appropriate gift on this list:

For the dad who loves a good feed

Is your dad a foodie? Organise a BBQ party at your home and invite some of his closest friends. Arranging a party like this can make it more intimate for your dad (just make sure the BBQ grill is cleaned and set up before the celebrations start!). 

If he’s not into parties, look for gourmet hampers filled with curated artisanal chocolate, cheese, wine, or craft beer. Some of these hampers also come with Australian coffee beans and roasters, making them perfect for coffee lovers.

For the dad who’d rather be outdoors

Adventurous dads make the most of their free time exploring outdoors. You can find them challenging themselves, hiking in the mountains or camping for days, enjoying the sights of nature. They likely already own most of the camping and hiking essentials, so ask them if there’s anything they want to upgrade on this list:

• Freestanding dome or tunnel tents

• Lightweight sleeping bags

• Ultralight camp tables

• Folding chairs (with back support)

• Battery-powered camp lanterns

• Rechargeable headlamps

• Load-carrying capacity backpacks

If he already has everything, quality outdoor footwear and apparel, like wool socks and fleece boots, could also be thoughtful gifts to keep him comfortable while camping. Some lightweight technical shirts are great Father’s Day present ideas, too, since they are flexible, durable garments that dry quickly when worn outdoors.

For the dad who always has a project on the go

Dads often take on the role of handyman. They always spend their free time on simple household projects like setting up lights, mounting a TV, painting walls, and even building wooden furniture. For dads like these, power tool kits such as cordless drills and saws make excellent gifts. Having these high-quality tools on hand helps them complete their projects smoothly.

Purchasing items for their workshop can be a good idea for a Dad’s Day present, too. Some good examples include a cordless shop vac for clearing out dust, a portable Bluetooth speaker for entertainment, or upgraded work lights to keep his space well-lit.

While these gifts are useful, consider spending time with your father by helping him finish his projects. Not only will this make the day extra productive, but you’ll also get to know your dad better, which is a more thoughtful gift than physical presents.

For the dad who prefers experiences to things

Relaxed fishing activity beside a calm lake for Father’s Day (Source: iStock)

Is quality time your dad’s love language? Plan a day out with him: Schedule a family photoshoot, take out to his favourite restaurant, or sign up for cooking classes together if he’s a fan of whipping up new dishes at home.

For dads who love sports and music, check out upcoming live events or stadium tours of their favourite artists or sports teams. There might be some upcoming events that your family can attend. If he’s more of an outdoorsy type, arrange trips that let him experience the adrenaline, like paragliding and hot air balloon rides.  

For the dad who could use more free time

Dads can be incredibly busy. Between work, cleaning the house, and finishing projects, free time can be hard to find. That new table has been sitting in its packaging for weeks and still needs to be assembled; the plants in your backyard need some tending; and the car requires much-needed TLC after putting off fixing the scratches and vacuuming the leather seats.

Help take the load off their shoulders and hire professionals to give them back their time. You can find local gardeners to sort out the plants and fix the lawn. Furniture assembly experts are also available to set up your bulky furniture. As for their vehicle, ask car detailers to touch it up and make it look brand-new again.

Personalised Father’s Day gifts that feel genuinely his

Customised gifts show you pay attention to what they like and value, so they’ll likely earn a place on the shelf. Here are some personalised gifts for Dad’s day that will be remembered for years.

Turn a memory into something he can keep

Heart-shaped hand gesture for a Father’s Day photo (Source: iStock)

Photobooks are among the most popular keepsakes. Your dad can keep it on the coffee table and sometimes flip through it on the couch during his free time to look back at some of his favourite moments. Framed photos could also be a simple but thoughtful alternative to photobooks. They can be hung on the wall as a reminder of a good moment or milestone in his life.

Looking for something more useful? Choose engraved keepsakes. These can be a wine glass, hammer, or leather wallet with their name or initials laser-engraved. These are interesting Father’s Day gifts that they can keep for their whole lives or pass down to their kids.

Build a gift around what matters to him

Your dad might have mentioned something specific he wants to own or maybe try at least once. If that’s the case, then it’s easy for you to build a gift that matters to him. Custom gift hampers are perfect for these situations because they let you personally choose the items.

​For example, instead of a generic beer hamper, you may request something specific, like a stout beer or a bold IPA, if that’s what he likes. It could also be biscuits from a cafe he loves or chocolate from a place he often visits. To make it extra personal, top this custom hamper off with a handwritten note on the card.

Curating a Spotify playlist could also work for dads who love music. This could include songs from their wedding or a few tracks that remind him of his childhood. What’s even cooler is that there are stores that can create custom plaques for these curated tracks. These can be personalised with the Dad’s name and song titles, creating a lasting keepsake that he’ll value.

When you’re not quite sure what Dad wants

Young daughter giving her father a handmade heart card at home (Source: iStock)

It’s tough to choose a gift for dads who don’t openly express what they want. So, here are a few tips to help you find an appropriate Father’s Day gift in Australia.

Let him choose the experience

Although gift cards for Father’s Day may seem too simple, they’re perfect for difficult dads because they let them choose how to spend their day. Instead of guessing and getting it wrong, gift cards take the stress out of picking the perfect gift. Not sure which kind to buy? Think about where they often go—whether it’s a restaurant, hobby shop, or clothing store—that’s your clue for choosing the right gift card.

Give him a budget to get something done

One of the best Father’s Day gifts is giving him back time for the things he loves. Your dad deserves a break from the everyday chores and unfinished household projects that eat up most of his free time after work, and Airtasker gift cards are perfect for that. He can use them to hire Taskers to handle those tasks for him.

Plus, these gift cards are flexible. You get to choose an amount from $25 to $1,000 and add a personal message, with the gift code delivered instantly via email. Redeeming the cards is also easy; your dad only needs to enter the gift code after posting a task. If he doesn’t need it right away, he may choose to hold on to it since they’re still valid for three years (which is useful for maintenance jobs he wants to get done later).

Give Dad less to do this Father’s Day

The best gifts aren’t always the ones that look impressive on the shelf. They’re the ones that let him try something new and truly enjoy it. So, consider Airtasker gift cards this Father’s Day to take some of his responsibilities off his hands and spend it more on meaningful experiences. 

Whether he needs help cleaning around the house, tending a garden, assembling furniture, or cleaning the car, it’s easy to find an expert who can help him spend more of his time doing what matters to him most with Airtasker gift cards.