As much as we love shopping and splurging and splurging some more, we are also big supporters of the thought that counts, especially when it comes to Father’s Day Gifts. So if you’re looking for an affordable but cool gift for dad under $20 to go along with a picnic in the park, breakfast in bed, or just some handmade cards and a day to himself to do…whatever, we’re hooking you up with some really neat ideas. We hope they all feel like actual gifts, not trinkets from the dollar store.
Speaking of affordable gifts, we’re happy to welcome our friends at Dove Men+Care who are in part sponsoring our gift guide. We love them because they really support men who take care of themselves, and more important, take care of their families.
Plus, because we all adore the dads, granddads and stepdads in our lives so much, be sure to check out our massive Father’s Day giveaway below, valued at over $900, that we’ve put together from some of our very favorite Father’s Day gifts. You have a chance to enter on every one of our 2014 Father’s Day Gift Guide posts which is pretty great odds for you. Good luck!
All our picks are determined solely by the editorial team; there has been no compensation in exchange for recommendations. Some products may include affiliate links.
We love pretty much everything from Rhode Island’s Rag & Bone Bindery, which still hand-binds all their lovely keepsake journals and photo books. They’ve just introduced this Hashtag Father’s Day instabook which is ready for your favorite square Instagram photos. We here that’s kind of a popular app these days ($19, Rag & Bone Bindery)
We recently fell in love with the exquisite handcrafted Kollar chocolates out of Napa Valley. While they have plenty of gourmet gifts for dads, for a sweet bargain, grab some of their clever Kollar Krack Dark Chocolate Bark with Pop Rocks which is perfect for kids at heart with adult tastebuds. ($12.50/5 oz, Kollar Chocolates; note there’s a minimum order for shipping.)
If he measures his life in coffee spoons, bring him some coffee in bed along with this sweet hand stamped I Love You Dad coffee spoon for a gift he’ll remember, possibly every morning. ($18, Milk and Honey Luxuries)
We’re always fans of books as gifts, so head to your local indie book seller, find something he’s been dying to read, then make it a little more special with a Letterpress bookmark like this one from one of our favorite little Brooklyn print shops. Added bonus: Give him a coupon towards free reading time on the weekends. ($5, Sesame Letterpress)
A posh dad with a heart for vintage will love these funky Gentlemen’s Club bar glasses. They’re sold in pairs, but get a few more for Dads’ Night In, whether they’re filled with iced teas or something a little stronger. ($19.95, Gent Supply Co)
-Don’t miss our massive Father’s Day giveaway below. Entering is easy! –
If he’s a biker, he has to love this fun British racing stripe bike bell to keep him safe and stylish at once. Well, we love it. ($16 Fab.com; use our invitation link if you’re not already a member.)
If he’s a foodie, a gardener or both, the Foodie Garden kits really caught our eye. Each pack contains either Black Cherry Tomatoes, Scotch Bonnet Peppers, or Wild Arugula, for a dad who who can appreciate the difference between a Salad and a salad. Plus, great packaging. ($15/ea, Poketo)
Tech gifts can get pricy as we well know, and while these BelkinMixIt PureAV002 Earbuds are no Beats Solo that we’ve included as part of our giveaway, the Belkin buds get great reviews. And for under $20, you can’t go wrong whatever color you choose. If you want to get extra nice, add in an iTunes gift card ($18.49, Target)
His inner Boy Scout will love this vintage inspired Scout Soap Dish–as did we. You can package it with a great soap, like, oh, say… one of the body and face bars from Dove Men+Care? The Aqua Impact smells yummy. ($18.50, Gent Supply Co; Dove Men+Care soap $8.79 at local Target stores)
Also in the affordable pampering category, we love the look of the Natural bristle shaving brushes at Poketo in three really great colors. Nice little indulgence if he doesn’t already have one, and you rarely see ones this nice at such a good price. ($20, Poketo)
Real men write thank you notes, and every dad should have his own notecards. Check out the Gentleman’s stationery in several styles, which can be personalized for a remarkably good price. ($12 from Meredith Collie Papers, at Hatch.com)
It’s a terriyaki sauce! It’s got bourbon! It’s even vegetarian, at least until you drench a perfect cut of prime rib with it. It’s Kentuckyaki and we’re all over it. ($13.95 at Gent Supply Co)
Dads are the Original Hipsters book. What more is there to say? ($9.50, Amazon)
EXTRA COOL: WIN IT!
We’re so excited to give away one massive Father’s Day prize pack valued at more than $900, filled with some of our favorite gifts for dads. In fact, we want to steal them all.
PRIZE INCLUDES:
•Collection of 10 Dove Men+Care skin products including dual-sided shower tool, 2 bottles of Body+Face Wash, 2 Body Bars, Thickening Shampoo, 2 in 1 Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner, Cool Silver Antiperspirant, Clinical Protection Antiperspirant, Hydrate Face Wash, and Hydrate Face Lotion
•Beats By Dre Solo Headphones available at Target
•Custom keychain with your child’s artwork from Metalmorphosis
•Dad’s Gotta Eat gourmet collection from MOUTH
•Moleskine myCloud Messenger Bag
•Duck Island Dopp Kit from Zady (to keep all those cool Dove products)
•J Press York Street fine corded tie from Zady
•Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments by Mike Adamick
TO ENTER: THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED, CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS!
Also a big thanks to our wonderful sponsor Dove Men+Care. Visit their website for more info about their terrific skin, hair and body products, and follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook because that’s how we all roll these days.
Other 2014 Father’s Day Gift Guide posts:
Personalized Gifts for Dad
Gourmet Gifts for Dad
Gifts for the Stylish Dad
Gift Ideas for New Dads
Best Books for Dads
Gifts for the Dad who has Everything
10 Cool DIY Gifts from the Kids
My dad just loves spending time with his grandson. He really deserves some time to just relax and do that.
My husband would love a true day of rest for Father’s Day with nothing on the calendar. My daughter and I will make him breakfast and have a lazy day at home.
Something my husband loved getting from our girls was a customized Wordle that included all the names that our girls call him, as well as words they associate with him. Best part is the site is free! The only cost is printing and framing.
I’ve been a poor college kid for the last several years so I always struggled on what to get Dad. The gift that probably made him smile the most was a photo card that I made through companies like cardstock. He loves pictures, and it brought the biggest smile to his face to see a card with our goofy faces on it. 🙂
Good luck to all who enter!
He would love a day spent with family & control of the remote to watch his fave 4×4 shows or super truck races!
With our daughter heading to college in the fall, we are in saving mode these days, so these gifts are great! My husband’s perfect gift would be a day w/ the family, probably playing mini-golf at the beach!
(Thanks for the suggestions!)
My husband is a stay at home daddy, so he does absolutely everything for our kids. I’d love to give him time to relax- maybe with some of those awesome glasses filled with his favorite beverage. 😉
He hates cards that cost money so the kids are drawing him a picture and writing a note that we’ll glue on Popsicle sticks and then cut apart into a puzzle…wa-la!! Free card that he will love 😉
My husband would love some books to read to our daughter that are about dads! And a few things to complete his grill master kit.
My husband would love nothing more than to get away to go camping and for me and our daughter to leave our technology at home!
My dad’s a Captain for the Phoenix Fire Department so he works long, hard hours. Being that I’m his only child (and of course, he’s my only dad) it would be nice to be able to spend time together when he can find a way from his busy schedule. I just graduated college so my budget is tight, but anything for us to do together would be really nice since I don’t get to see him often.
My husband would love time to play in the dirt (garden) and companionable silence.
One thing my hubby would like is more hours in the day I am sure! He does so much for our family and never has time for himself ❤️
For Father’s Day, my husband would love a photo collage of all of the traveling and places we have been arranged in a unique way. He loves spending time outdoors, enjoying nature and seeing new places. The kids would have a ball looking back through memories and designing a special collection just for him!
Only thing hubby asks for every single year is homemade lemon cake and cinnamon rolls.
For us to go home for a visit. It’s a 15 hour drive and 3 plane tickets don’t get to happen every year.
My husband would love if our son and I made him a chocolate banana cake. His fav!!
Letting him sleep in!
My husband would like a night in front of a bonfire for Father’s Day!
My dad would love to have a fun visit for us to see them but my husband would love a new textbook – he’s a nerd!
Mine would like something handmade by the kids. My kids want to take him to play mini golf on Father’s Day. 🙂
Dinner, and a night fishing with his grandsons, all 6 of them!
My husband is so wonderful & kind. He wants to just take it easy with his 3 beautiful daughters on Fathers Day and enjoy his favorite dinner, too.
He would be quite happy with about two hours to ourselves! Not sure if i can pull that off. Pretty sure it would just be a good nap.
My husband loves Vanilla Pie, which is only made by special order at certain bakeries. I have tracked one down and plan to keep his tastebuds happy the rest of the year.
My husband would like a trip to the farmer’s market on Father’s Day. He loves to cook using local produce.
I think my dad would enjoy a dinner out with good conversation.
A long, family hike!
My husband would be content with a backrub (from me!), pizza and a handmade card from our daughter.
The day off with family!!
My dad and husband would love nothing more for Father’s Day than to go golfing and play 18 instead of the usual 9, and maybe go out to dinner because I don’t cook 😉
He loves to get audio books during his bicycle rides, so perhaps a gift card or credit for audible.com. Also he loves crab legs, and there is an awesome dive seafood place that has great crab specials, so would like to celebrate there.
A day off from work, a great hike with a picnic lunch and time with the family!
He doesn’t want much. Probably just a day at home relaxing and some chocolate chip cookies.
Coffee and newspaper followed by pancake breakfast with the family
A day to relax, have a nice refreshing cocktail, watch a movie at home and make a salad and pizza for dinner. I’m getting a set of tiki mugs that are really affordable as he’s into making tiki drinks.
A lazy morning – full control over the remote, room to himself; followed by an afternoon of tennis with friends!
My hubs would love a good beer, a burger and an hour to himself. Or a doughnut, cup of good coffee and an hour to himself, depending on the time of day
My husband would enjoy a family day at the beach full of sun, fun and relaxation!
My husband would love a day filled with the kids not fighting with each other, preferably while. Doing outdoorsy activities with him.
My husband would love just about anything…mostly a day spent with his kids and no work. I think a new wallet is in his future, though. 😉
He’d love some time alone in the backyard to brew beer! (And a snazzy, free gift basket!)
My dad loves to spend time with his family and building memories together. Whether it be just hanging out, watching a fav tv show, making or eating a good meal or going somewhere he is the most happiest when we are together as a family. Since we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, my dad and our family are grateful for the good times, love and any day that we have and get to spend together! 😉
I think a specialty beer with a bow would be well-received, maybe with a get out of bedtime free card.
I take the kids out for a day and let my hubby have the house to himself to watch sports. And then we have a big barbecue dinner.
These are great ideas!! For the past couple years I have made my husband a reel for a 3D Viewfinder (remember this old toy as a kid?)… You can make your own here: https://www.image3d.com
Each individual reel of personal pics costs $20, and he loves getting pictures of himself and our daughter from the past year! (And the first time you make one, you can also purchase a viewfinder!) Relatively cheap and cool!!
Solitude without noise from the kids. No bickering or whining.
My husband would love an opportunity to sleep in!
he wants some alone time (practically free!). we’ll spend the morning together as a family then i will take the kid someplace to play for a few hours. i get 1:1 time with my sweet girl and he gets a good nap. everyone wins!
My husband asked for a business card holder for his desk. Practical to the core!!
He’d love to sleep in and then eat cinnamon rolls. He’s pretty easy to please. 🙂
Marinating baby back ribs and throwing them in the oven for 3 hrs on low heat. Finish the ribs off with extra BBQ sauce on thr grill and serve them up with ice cold beer!
My hubby loves foot massages after a long day at work 🙂
My husband would love the gift of sleeping in…although with a 2.5 year-old and a 4 month- old, that’s not too likely!
Sophia and Ariella love to draw for their father. He is an artist and they are both very talented just like him. He has kept just about every drawing they ever made him. We have 2 bins full. We will also surprise him with breakfast in bed.
He would love to sleep in undisturbed.
My dad would love to spend time with his grandchildren…He doesn’t care if they are acting loud and hyper or just quietly watching them play…Doesn’t matter just as long as he is close to the “grands”.
Tickets to see the Foo Fighters! Oh wait. That’s not cheap. 🙂
Maybe a Foo Fighters live recording he doesn’t have yet instead.
He would love to go on a bike ride with myself and our little boy & maybe stop for a 6 pack or growler for an IPA to bring home.
My husband would love a day out on the water with his family.
My husband’s ultimate low to no budget gift would be a day with no “deadline” or work responsibility; he’s a software IT tester for 911 so lots of late & hours/weekends. He’d only need QT with the fam outdoors during day & time to “zone out” that night while playing new app/game on his phone or xbox. We can’t wait to celebrate him Sunday! #CoolestofTheCoolDadPicks
My husband and I are currently living in two different cities due to work. It would mean so much to him (and me) if he could find a job here with his family. That would be the best Father’s Day gift ever.
We have 3 young boys ages, 7, 6, and 3. I think what he would like best is for one full day of no fighting or arguing and everyone listening and giving him love, hugs and kisses. Plus a yummy BBQ dinner 🙂
my husband is really wishing for a new tie bar…
More time.
an afternoon of putt-putt…preferably where our 5-yr-old doesn’t cheat, though that’s probably asking too much.
Time! Time! And more time!
Grilling out with the family, then time by the firepit!
My husband would love a new phone case (or even a new phone) and my dad is getting what he wants for Father’s Day: my children! They’re already with him for the summer and he’s happiest when he’s making them laugh.
Sit in his recliner & enjoy a hockey/football game! That makes him very very happy!! = to rest!!!
My hubby would like nothing more than to play his games without us interrupting him! LOL
This year he wants strawberry cheesecake pancakes and time with his family and garden.
my husband usually gets beer for father’s day 🙂 he loves consumables as gifts.
My husband would love a day spent outdoors with a refreshing cocktail in hand…taking in the warm air and snoozing off…
My husband would love to have a few hours to himself to do something he enjoys without guilt-like play poker, go to the movies or just read a book!
Sleeping in, followed by a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast.
letting him sleep in plus good eats and just hanging with the kids 🙂
My husband would love a day to just do what he wants. We just had our sixth child and all his hours have been occupied taking care of everyone else and keeping up with the house and yard.
My husband wants 10 am Sunday brunch with the whole family (my parents, his parents, my sis & bro-in-law and our two young sons of course). Not at a restaurant but at home. Good quality family time…and perhaps a a killer bloody mary…!
A few hours to himself!
My own Dad just loves time with his grandchildren, which I’m happy to give. My husband is also easy to please – anything sci-fi will do. 🙂
He’d like one day where the kids don’t whine at all!
My dad would enjoy a day of rest. My husband (father of my children) would enjoy a couple of large stacks of pancakes! 🙂
A morning to write in peace and quiet. Then time with the kiddos on an afternoon hike.
My husband would love a belt! His is held together with duct tape.
My husband would love those Gentlemen’s Club bar glasses, as his newfound hobby is becoming a mixologist. If I’d serve him a tray of jalapeño poppers, he’d be in heaven!
My husband would love a day watching his favorite sports on tv followed by a bbq dinner.
My husband would love to have a day free from all responsibilities; time to just relax with the kids.
My husband would like to sit on the couch, drink some coffee, and read the paper in peace! 🙂
He’d love a little time away from all the stress of work.
My husband works hard & plays hard. How shows our son what hard work looks like. They always do yardwork together, no complaining. They’re always working on something.
My husband is the king of teachable moments with our girls. (And we’ve had a fair amount of them lately!) From talking about making good choices with money, good decisions at school and with friends, and most importantly that Family is what matters. No matter the issue, he is hard at work instilling good values in our girls and reminding us that we succeed together when we stick together.
My husband would love a day with the family playing some miniature golf followed by a BBQ dinner.
My husband would enjoy sleeping in for the entire weekend, even though our son is an early riser and wants to play with him right after breakfast.
My husband is from overseas and his family have not met our son, so I think he would love an uninterrupted skype session with good connection for FD (a lot harder then it sounds)
He would really enjoy a bottomless pitcher of iced tea.
My husband loves to go fishing but doesn’t like to go alone. The kids and I are going to go and spend the day with him in the great outdoors. 🙂
He’d like the LA Kings to win the Stanley Cup again. But I’m not a genie and can’t make that happen by myself. 🙂 We’re watching Game 4 now… this could be it… 🙂
He would love new golf clubs, but going to have to settle for tees and new golf balls.
My husband just wants Runners World magazine, so I am getting that for him, oh, and the kids got some Duck Dynasty stuff for him too. Ha! He’ll just enjoy relaxing in the afternoon and enjoying the day with family.
My pop’s would love just a good old beer on the couch watching the game with all his daughter’s around nothing more nothing less !! I love him !! Best dad ever!!
my man would do anything for anyone. since his health is depleating the thing he enjoys most is enjoying cookies (homemade perferred)and milk with ou 6 year old son.
My husband would love a fun day with our 4 sons being outside, fishing, riding bikes, shooting hoops & just hangin out. Sometimes he has to work so hard he misses being able to just “play” with our boys!
I usually make my husband and daughter a cool “Daddy & Me” type t-shirt bundle (Vader and Leia, Pacman and Ms.Pacman) and we have a great breakfast and then go visit his father and celebrate with a huge family BBQ.
to be with us
Our Father’s Day has also included a fun (free) family activity, and drawings and cards from our daughters. They love making him lots of artwork!
My husband will love his drawings from the kids!
Dad would be happy to have his car washed. LOL!
gmrichhhicks at gmail dot com