10 Things You Should Absolutely Not Buy Your Dad This Christmas

10 Things You Should Absolutely Not Buy Your Dad This Christmas

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Dads are notoriously hard to shop for. Theyโ€™re pretty selfless and when they do have some extra cash they usually buy the things they want themselves. They also wonโ€™t tell you when they donโ€™t like something, so Iโ€™m here with 10 things you should absolutely not buy your dad this Christmas to help.

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10 Things You Should Absolutely Not Buy Your Dad This Christmas

If youโ€™re stumped for dad and planning on getting him a generic gift – stop! But donโ€™t worry, if you dad gift plans are on this list Iโ€™ve got you with alternatives gift ideas for dad.

Donโ€™t: Give dad a tacky mug

Sometimes thereโ€™s a time and a place for tacky mugs but if youโ€™re giving your dad one because you just donโ€™t know what to get him now is not that time. I just watched my mom clean out her cupboard and her fiancรฉe had like 6 novelty mugs from his kids he never uses. Donโ€™t do that to your dad.

Try instead: Some specialty coffee or tea

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Depending on what dad drinks make his mornings a little bit better with some nice coffee or tea. Itโ€™s great because it doesnโ€™t add more junk to his house and he might actually use it.

Donโ€™t: Gift dad generic BBQ accessories

OK we get it, dads like to BBQ. Well, they do, but thatโ€™s not the point. They donโ€™t need novelty BBQ sets to do it.

Try instead: A great grilling cookbook

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Yeah, most recipes are online, but thereโ€™s something still nice about having a book. Get your dad a grilling cookbook that features his favourite ways to grill or types of meat.

Donโ€™t: Get dad an engraved watch

One of the most โ€œdadโ€ gifts of all time, the engraved watch is a terrible gift idea. Thereโ€™s only one time you get dad an engraved watch: when he specifically asks for a certain type of watch and you want to make it extra special. Otherwise, donโ€™t do it. Especially if he already has a watch he loves.

Try instead: A smart watch or engrave his current watch

If dad doesnโ€™t have a watch and youโ€™re thinking about getting one, he might enjoy a smart watch instead. Or, if he already has one, consider an upgrade for him. In my experience most dads love tech toys. Another option is just having his favourite watch engraved with a special message.

Donโ€™t: Gift dad a dress shirt

Want to take a guess at what the number one most returned gift is? Ding ding ding! Itโ€™s menโ€™s shirts. Theyโ€™re so hard to size correctly. Just pass and get your dad something else.

Try instead: Fun dress socks

If your dad likes to dress nicely, but you canโ€™t gift him a dress shirt, nice socks are a great, sure fit substitute. They make so many kinds of dress socks, so there is something fun, or funny, out there that dad will love.

Donโ€™t: Get dad books heโ€™ll never read

My dad only reads one type of books: Bathroom readers. Unless your dad is an avid reader, by which all means get him something heโ€™ll love, you can probably skip getting your dad a book for Christmas.

Try instead: A magazine subscription

Unlike books, magazines are much easier to pick up and read. They can be taken into the bathroom or looked over with a cup of coffee. The best part is that there are so many options youโ€™re sure to find something your dad is interested in.

Donโ€™t: Give dad generic or cheap tools

Most dads like to have at least some tools, even ones that arenโ€™t very handy. And chances are your dad already has some. Generic and especially cheap toolsets arenโ€™t great gifts for dads.

Try instead: Tools he actually wants/needs

Brands matter with tools, so look around and listen to your dad to see what he prefers. Some great ideas when you donโ€™t know what dad needs are a high-quality screwdriver and tool storage bags.

Donโ€™t: Buy dad a tacky dad sign

Heโ€™s probably going to laugh and hang it up, but that doesnโ€™t mean heโ€™ll love it. Spare your dad having to hang up a sign like this and skip it.

Try instead: Nice, custom dad signs

If you really want to get your dad some kind of sign to hang up, opt for something thatโ€™s well made and stylish. Etsyโ€™s and craft sales are great places to look for these sorts of things.

Donโ€™t: Gift dad a DVD

Although itโ€™s nice sometimes to own a movie, thereโ€™s something about being a dad that attracts DVD gifts. Donโ€™t add to his collection of film heโ€™s only watched once by gifting your dad yet another movie from the $5 bin.

Try instead: Buying a 1-year subscription to something

You can either pay for your dadโ€™s streaming service he already loves for the next year or buy him something different so he can have both. Either way, it gives a lot more entertainment than a DVD does without taking up shelf space.

Donโ€™t: Gift dad single-use small appliances

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โ€œDad likes breakfast sandwiches/hot dogs/cake pops/cotton candy, so letโ€™s get him a [insert thing] maker for Christmas!โ€ – You, probably, being wrong. These appliances are fun, but they end up collecting dust after theyโ€™re used once or twice.

Try instead: Dadโ€™s favorite snacks

If your dad is like my dad, then he probably likes to eat snacks, and he wants them all to himself. Give dad all the treats heโ€™s not allowed to have most of the time and let him indulge a little. After all, itโ€™s Christmas!

Donโ€™t: Get dad something that gives him a job

Donโ€™t use Christmas gifts as a way to drop some subtle hints to your dad. Christmas is supposed to be fun! Donโ€™t give dad a Christmas gift thatโ€™s super practical, makes him work, or is generally something he wouldnโ€™t be excited to find under the tree.

Try instead: Something fun!

All dads are different, so you decide what fun means to your dad. Whether itโ€™s a new Xbox, a cool board game, an excellent Lego set, sports equipment, tickets, etc., make Christmas fun for your dad through your gift-giving.

Hopefully, youโ€™re educated on the things you should absolutely not buy your dad this Christmas and instead are going to be the best kid ever! So what are you getting your dad for Christmas?

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