These Affordable Gift Ideas Are Guaranteed to Impress Your Father-in-Law
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Father-in-laws can be hard to shop for, whether you only see each other a few times a year or he's become a second father to you. Chances are if you ask him what he wants for his birthday, Father's Day or Christmas, he'll respond with "I don't need anything" or another vague line. But don't worry if you're all out of good ideas; we've got you covered with this curated list of best gifts for your father-in-law for any occasion.
Scroll an assortment of functional, funny and personalized gift ideas — many of which will cater to his hobbies, whether he spends his free time golfing, gardening, cooking or obsessing over his car. We've also included cool tech gifts, like a screen magnifier, a smart notebook and a solar-powered phone charger. And for the father-in-law who's always tinkering around the house, we've included nifty tools you won't find in his toolbox, plus a foot massager for when the day is done.
We haven't forgot about the brides and grooms about to gain a new set of parents on their wedding day. Shop sentimental gift ideas any father will cherish, and keep in mind: many of these ideas for men work well as a last-minute gift. For daughter-in-laws and son-in-laws hoping to spoil their FIL, we've sprinkled in a few luxury gift ideas that are well worth the splurge.
Screen Magnifier for Smartphone
For the father-in-law who is known for streaming movies and videos on his phone, this screen magnifier will be a game changer. It's lightweight, affordable and available in four different sizes from 12 to 18 inches.
Digital Tape Measure
If he's always plotting the next home renovation project, this digital tape measure will speed up his process. It has a short-term measurement hold and two long-term memories, plus online reviewers agree it's really easy to read.
Quilted Lined Flannel Shirt
Upgrade his style with this relaxed fit hooded flannel, which is versatile enough to wear to work, out to lunch or lounging at home. The brushed flannel is available in a ton of colors and patterns.
Putting Green
If your mutual love for golf is something you bond over, consider this portable putting mat featuring multiple cup targets. Then, you can each take turns perfecting your swing right in the living room.
RELATED: The Best Golf Gifts for Dad
Password Book
If you and your spouse are frequently helping him with online accounts, this compact password book will be a gift for all three of you. It's available in three sizes and features an alphabetic tab system, so he can quickly track down his passwords in one place.
Father of the Bride/Groom Tie Clip
Tug at his heartstrings on your wedding day with a thoughtful tie clip for him to don for the occasion. This set includes one for the father of the bride and the father of the groom, and the other side features a sentimental message.
Hopsulator Trio
Keep his beer, seltzer or soda ice cold with this insulated can cooler, available in a variety of colors — including green, gray, camo, orange and walnut. The adapter allows the holder to fit 12 oz. or 16 oz. cans, or put on the leakproof lid to turn it into a convenient tumbler.
Smart Notebook
Once he fills this all 80 pages with his handwritten reminders, messages and notes, he can take a picture of them and upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive or iCloud. The most fun part? Pop the entire book into the microwave and it will be good as new.
Fishing Chair With Cooler Bag
Whether he's an experienced fisherman or he frequents camping, tailgating and other outdoor activities, he'll use this portable chair all of the time. The bottom has a cooler to keep his drinks cold, plus it folds up, so he can bring it anywhere he goes.
"I'm Not Sleeping, Just Resting My Eyes" Socks
Give the whole family a laugh with this pair of hilarious, cotton socks that casually tease his habit of falling asleep almost anywhere — and later, denying it. What's great about this gag gift is it's something he'll actually use.
Spice Grinder
He'll love showing off his new kitchen gadget next time he's grilling for the fam. This battery-operated spice grinder features interchangeable pods (two are included). He can swap spices with ease by pressing down onto a surface to pop the pod out and pressing down on another pod to click it in.
Pickleball Paddles
Gift him a set of pickleball paddles, whether he's newly retired and hunting for a hobby or he's an experienced player. This affordable set includes two paddles, so he can perfect his game with a partner or friend. He'll also receive four indoor balls, two cooling towels and a carrying case.
RELATED: 12 Best Pickleball Shoes of 2023
Portable Air Compressor
His days of stressing over a flat tire will be over with this handy air compressor. The lightweight design, which also features an LED flashlight, is perfect to have on hand for family road trips. Bonus: It has a few different nozzles, so it can be used to inflate everything from air mattresses to balloons. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "It can inflate my car tires from flat to fully inflated in just a few minutes."
Top 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster
Featuring 100 top-rated films, this scratch-off poster is the perfect present for movie lovers. There's everything from The Dark Knight, Dirty Dancing and Shutter Island to kid-friendly classics like Toy Story and The Lion King.
Car Vacuum Cleaner
Although a vacuum may seem like a boring gift, any car-obsessed father-in-law is going to love this best-selling handheld vacuum cleaner. The three attachments (flathead, extendable and brush nozzle) will make it possible to clean every crevice of his prized possession.
Long-Sleeve Henley Sweater
Even if he isn't into fashion, he won't complain about wearing this comfortable, soft sweater. The classic henley looks great and comes in a number of colors, including black, blue, gray, red and orange.
Apple AirTag
Help him keep track of his possessions, no matter what he's frequently losing — wallet, keys, TV remote, where he parked his car. The AirTag will instantly connect to his iPhone or iPad, so you don't have to worry about helping with setup.
Travel Toiletry Bag
Help him pack for your upcoming family vacation or his next adventure with this spacious toiletry bag, designed to store all of his essentials. It's also waterproof and available in a ton of chic colors.
Fleece Bath Robe
With over 35,ooo five-star reviews, this fleece robe has earned a reputation for being soft, comfortable, warm and well made. Pick one up in his favorite color and he'll never want to take it off.
Electronics Organizer Travel Case
It seems like every dad has a neglected drawer full of miscellaneous wires and chargers, but this electronics case will inspire him to get organized. There are elastic loops, mesh segments and two zippered pockets to store his frequently used tech.
Smokeless Electric Tabletop Grill
When the weather isn't in his favor, he can set up this smokeless grill on the kitchen countertop to grill burgers, shrimp, kebabs and other favorites. A major plus: He can stick it in the dishwasher once the grill top cools instead of washing it by hand.
Annual Membership
After your father-in-law takes 30 classes with Martin Scorsese on MasterClass, your home videos will be on par with Goodfellas and Taxi Driver. Or at the very least, he'll get some filmmaking tips and one-on-one time with the Hollywood great. (Filmmaking not his thing? No worries — MasterClass offers hundreds of courses with big name celebs on topics ranging from business to food, sports and more.)
Memory Foam Slippers
Even when he gets heated during Monday Night Football, his feet can still catch a chill. These non-slip slippers will keep him warm and cozy, while giving his feet the support they need.
Foot Massager With Heat
Since years (er, decades) of yard work and DIY projects got the best of him, give him this massager to give his feet much-needed TLC. The next time he's watching TV or reading the paper, he can stick his feet in this portable device, choose between three intensity levels and relieve tension.
The Two Million Dollar Puzzle
On an average weekend, you'll find him in his study working on a puzzle. But this is no ordinary puzzle — once completed, it becomes a QR code he can scan to see how much money he's won (anywhere from $1 to $1 million!).
Acupressure Slippers
For the father-in-law who's on his feet all day, these acupressure slippers feature tiny knobs to target reflexology points for instant relief. He can also remove the knobs to customize the pressure.
Tabletop Concrete Fireplace
Rubbing alcohol gives this portable fireplace the fuel it needs to keep a flame going for about an hour. It works inside or outside, so he can move it from room to room throughout the night.
Coffee Mug Warmer
"Set it and forget it" doesn't typically apply to coffee — unless you have one of these top-tested heated mugs. Using the simple controls, he can set his ideal drinking temperature to ensure that his brew stays warm until the very last sip.
Slang Flashcards Deck
If your FIL has a sense of humor, he'll get a kick out of this flashcards set designed to give his conversational skills a "glow up."
Monthly Beer Subscription
Ship some of the country's best lagers, ales and IPAS directly to his door on a monthly, bimonthly or quarterly basis. Craft Beer Club will do all the heavy lifting — just pick the shipping frequency and figure out how many beers he can get through in a month or two (12 or 24).
RELATED: Best Gift Ideas for Beer Lovers
Multitool Pen
He'll appreciate that this pen does it all — it's a ruler, a screwdriver, a wrench, a level, a stylus and, of course, a pen. Not to mention, thousands of five-star reviewers agree it's durable and versatile.
Baseball Park Map Pint Glasses
When he cheers on his baseball team, he can pour a cold one in a glass decorated with a map of their ballpark in the team's official colors. The real treat: Once he finishes his pint, he'll spot the team's logo at the bottom of the glass.
Personalized Cigar Case
If he fancies a cigar every now and then, he'll appreciate this personalized leather case. It's made from classic brown leather and cedar wood, holds three cigars and includes a cutter. Plus, there are six different ways to customize it.
Mischievous Cat Garden Gnome Statue
Perfect for the dad who takes great pride in his garden (and his cat), this hand painted figurine will keep him company as he works in the yard.
Roadie 24 Cooler
He'll need a way to keep his beers cold, whether he's going camping, heading to a tailgate or coming over for a family barbecue. This insulated cooler is super lightweight and can hold up to 24 cans.
Custom Family Portrait
Have a beautiful family photo that he'd love to put on display? Buy him a custom watercolor portrait that he'll cherish forever. Choose your preferred canvas size and your favorite format: stretched canvas, black float framed, digital file or photo paper.
Jerky Gift Box
He's sweet enough as it is, so your father-in-law will benefit from a savory gift box, packed with jerky in four different ways. And just wait until he dips the jerky, pepperoni and sausage in the beer mustard...
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Whiskey Globe Decanter
The perfect addition to his office, library or reading nook, this handblown glass decanter will dispense his favorite spirits — brandy, scotch, you name it — while giving him serious wanderlust.
Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit
The next time he complains that a meal doesn't meet his spice level, you can redirect him to this make-your-own kit. It lets him mix different peppers, vinegars and spices until he makes six concoctions with varying heat.
RELATED: Super Thoughtful Gifts for the Foodies in Your Life
Solar Phone Charger
He won't have to worry about any gadgets running out of juice on his next hike, thanks to this powerful solar charger. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts love how easy it is to unfold this lightweight solar phone charger and expose its four panels to the sun to charge any GoPro, iPhone or Bluetooth speaker (just be sure to check his device is compatible).
Wine Cork States
Each time he pops a bottle of wine, he can put his handiwork on this state-shaped birch wall art. All states come with 30 open slots for wine bottle corks a.k.a. 30 excuses for a glass (or two) of wine.
Coffee Subscription
He appreciates the finer things in life, which is why it's best to gift him this weekly, biweekly or monthly coffee subscription. After he takes a quiz full of questions about his taste and brewing preferences, Trade will match him up with the right bag of joe.
RELATED: Best Gifts for Coffee and Espresso Lovers
LED Beanie
The next time he's taking out the trash, going on a late-night run or fixing something in the dark, he can throw on this beanie to light his way. It doesn't even require batteries to cast a glow — he can recharge it with a standard USB cord when it needs a boost.
Taste: My Life Through Food
Time and time again, Stanley Tucci has proven how well he knows food. In this book, the actor shares his most treasured recipes and the stories behind them.
Wireless 3-in-1 Charger
Over the years, he's become the go-to gadget guy in your family. For that very reason, this triple-threat charger is a must: Once plugged in, it can wirelessly charge his smartphone, smartwatch and AirPods in one go.
RELATED: Tech Gifts for Your Gadget-Loving Relatives
Carter Move Travel Mug
If he pours his coffee into this mug at the crack of dawn, it'll still be warm 12 hours later (or cold up to a day later). Tell him to clip in the stainless steel splash guard before he gets moving to prevent any spills on his morning commute.
RELATED: Useful Gifts for Parents Who Have It All
Personalized Leather Wallet
If his wallet has seen better days, give him one that's meant to have a worn-in look without actual wear and tear. Emboss the exterior with up to 2o characters — his initials, name or nickname — to make it more personal.
Stovetop Espresso Maker
Forget the fancy, overpriced espresso machines: This compact machine fits perfectly on his stovetop and makes up to six cups of espresso in just five minutes.
Personalized Watch Stand
Give him a polished, personalized place to put his watches on display. This engraved oak watch stand can hold three watches at a time, but the Etsy seller also makes similar versions for two, four and five watches.
Sphere Ice Molds
These large ice spheres keep cocktails cold without watering them down. And since there are two molds per box, he can make sure his drinking buddy has a chilled drink, too.
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