Let's be honest: When's the last time you saw Dad wear a tie on purpose?
We've been giving the same gifts since 2003, and if it's not a tie, it's socks or Whiskey Stones. Dads deserve better. (Okay, wait—if he does love novelty socks, lean in. This is your know-your-dad moment.) But if you're looking to switch it up this year with something a little more personal, a little more unexpected, and a lot more him, we've got ideas.
1. Let him go Full BBQ Master
Buy the good meat. Grab the weird BBQ sauce. Get out of his way. The man wants to char something, talk about Diane Lane, snap his tongs, and tell you, "it's not burnt, it's flavour." Honour that. Bonus points if you clean the grill before he notices it's gross.
2. Ask him to help with something (and actually mean it)
Whether it's fixing a thing, building a thing, or showing you how to do something random he's weirdly good at (wood filler? caulking? reversing a trailer?), give him a chance to show off his dad skills. The gift? Time together. The subtext? "You are, in fact, the main character of this DIY gifting moment."
3. Plan a dad-worthy experience (bonus points if it ends with snacks)
Sure, you could organize his side of the garage, but this year, give him a memory instead. A DIY axe-throwing setup in the backyard. A one-day golf tournament with made-up rules. A Father's Day "flight" of his favourite drinks with punny labels. Anything that says: "I see your dad jokes, and I raise you a themed event."
Need help with the puns? We've got you.
("You did a GRAPE job RAISIN' me!" lives rent-free in our heads.)
Check out this blog post for more great puns here!
4. Let him talk about something niche, uninterrupted
His fantasy football league. His smoker. The weird historical doc he watched on YouTube. Just let him go. Ask follow-up questions. Nod thoughtfully. Learn way more than you ever expected about the optimal ribeye thickness. This is love in action.
5. Schedule a certified, no-interruptions DadNap™
No interruptions. No questions. Just a couch, a remote, and total silence. You take the kids. He disappears into the Sunday nap vortex. Does this already sound like his every Sunday? Good. Keep the dream alive.
6. Gift a CandyGram Subscription—aka, Snacks That Show Up Monthly
We're calling it: this is the dad gift sleeper hit of the year. It's the kind of thing he wouldn't buy for himself, but absolutely brags about once it arrives. We'll deliver a curated candy fix to his door each month.
Because nothing says "I care" like surprise snacks, especially the kind he doesn't have to share.
At the end of the day, the best gifts say:
"You do a lot. I noticed. And I swear I didn't touch the thermostat."
So here's to the dads, grandpas, dog dads, stepdads, bonus dads, and father figures doing the absolute most—and to you, making this year a little more fun, a little more thoughtful, and a little less... tie-shaped.
Check out our favourite gifts for Father's Day here!
