All dads want in life is a good book, comfy slippers and, if they’re parenting particularly young children, some peace and quiet (my daughter has just turned one and is learning what her voice is capable of).

We’ve rounded up a selection of gifts for all ages, tastes and interests (silence courtesy of some decibel-dampening earplugs), with enough options for there to be something here for even those impossible-to-buy-for fathers.

This year, perhaps hold off buying yet another checked shirt and save your money on the bottle of whisky that will remain undrunk, and try out one of the picks below instead.

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The best Christmas gifts for dads

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Accessories

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RFID-blocking card holder

£34.95 at Case £35 at Selfridges

Keep him safe and secure against skimming (contactless card details stolen using radio signals) with a card holder that blocks the technology. The Secrid wallet can hold up to six cards, has a satisfying mechanism that pops cards out when needed, and its lightweight aluminium shell protects against breaks or bends when he sits on it.

Gerber mullet multi tool keyring

£9.99 at Gerber

This multi-tool keyring is the ultimate trinket for the tinkerer in your life. Shorter than a standard Chubb key and featuring 11 functions – from wire stripper to bottle opener – it’s a pocket-size piece that, at less than £10, would make a great stocking filler.

Montbell thermo mug

£15 at Montbell

Reusable cups are all well and good, but most are handle-free, making it hard to emulate that cuppa moment on the move. Montbell’s handled insulated mug has kept my teas and coffees piping hot, with a sip-through lid that has enabled me to swig on the go when pounding the pavements to get my daughter to nap.

For more, read our guide to the best travel mugs

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Self care

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Kiehl’s moisturiser

£21 at Kiehl’s £18.85 at Amazon

A well-rounded face moisturiser is a must for any man, whether they’ve got a solid skincare routine or have never been near a cosmetics counter. This Kiehl’s facial fuel is the one I reach for because it has a non-oily finish and is fast-absorbing – perfect for those, like me, who want to spend seconds rather than minutes at the mirror.

Aesop hand cream

£21.70 at the Grooming Clinic £27 at Space NK

The colder months are tough on your skin. Aesop’s cedar-smelling hand balm is a firm Filter favourite, and it comes in a more affordable tube than the £80 500ml bottle, too.

Salt of the Earth natural deodorant

£4.47 at Holland and Barrett £4.86 at Amazon

A roll-on deodorant may sound more like a passive-aggressive hint than a loving gift, but this stick – made from 100% natural ingredients and essential oils – is refillable, so it’s the perfect gift for a Dad who’s keen on discovering natural alternatives.

Wash bag

£28 at Holloways of Ludlow

This wash bag from Scandi design stalwart Hay is a good size and in bold, contrasting colours, which will stand out when he’s rummaging in a suitcase for it. The organic cotton material is also durable enough to survive a toothpaste tube explosion, as I found out the hard way.

Manicure set

£16 at John Lewis £19.95 at Amazon

Manicure sets can become overwhelming when cuticle pushers and trimmers get thrown into the mix. This four-piece pouch from Gentlemen’s Hardware strips things back to basics, with stainless steel clippers, tweezers, scissors and a file.

Le Labo shower gel

£25.60 at Liberty £32 at Harvey Nichols

Dads deserve to be pampered every once in a while, and some snazzy shower gel brings a hit of the spa to his daily grind. Le Labo’s artisan body wash is as luxe as they come, and its hinoki scent has a woody, citrus-like aroma.

Loop Dream sleep earplugs

£44.95 at Loop £44.95 at Amazon

Earplugs can help reduce night-time noise and unwanted wake-ups – particularly helpful if the dad in question is a light sleeper. These ones from Loop will block up to 27dB, muffling even the loudest snorers, and unlike the wax or foam plugs I’ve traditionally turned to, they actually stay put all night (and don’t turn into a melted mess hidden deep in your bedsheets).

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Home and garden

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Donkey gardening gloves

£15.95 at Amazon

Brambles and nettles beware, these multipurpose gardening gloves are made of strong stuff (a vegan faux leather on the palm and elasticated, breathable fabric on the backs), but retain the dexterity required for fiddly outdoor jobs such as pruning and deadheading. I’ve found them to be a great all-rounder for DIY projects in and out of the house, and phone-friendly finger and thumb pads mean I haven’t had to remove them to snap away at progress or check assembly PDFs on my phone.

Bosch cordless screwdriver

£25 at Halfords £25 at Amazon

Even – or especially – if your dad isn’t a DIY whiz, an electric screwdriver is a handy addition to any toolbox. This compact, rechargeable option from Bosch comes with 10 interchangeable heads and will shave time off flat-pack assembly and other small jobs around the home. It also has a built-in light ring that can illuminate hard-to-see screw heads.

Geese, Getting Killed on vinyl

From £24.99 at Rough Trade £27.99 at HMV

The Brooklyn-based quartet Geese is one of the most exciting groups to come out of New York since the Strokes. The band’s third LP, Getting Killed, is a great gift for a BBC 6 Music-loving dad.

Wax wine scented candle

£35 at Wax/Wine

Old bottles of plonk have never smelled so good, thanks to Wax/Wine’s ingenious way of recycling them into beautiful hand-poured candles. There are seven scents available, from a robust coffee and nutmeg to a relaxing cedarwood and geranium. It’s also possible to have his favourite tipple turned into a candle for an extra £10, although you have to send your own empty bottle.

For more, read our guide to the best scented candles

Niwaki golden spade

£42 at John Lewis £42 at Amazon

No outdoor assignment is too much for the Niwaki sukoppu – a strong, sharp and lightweight tool sourced from Japan that is at home digging, cutting and shifting soil. Made from steel, it doesn’t flex under pressure.

Indoor/outdoor clogs

£15.99 at B&Q £15.99 at Amazon

For dads who are in and out of the garden, it’s hard to beat the humble clog – easier to put on than a pair of lace-up trainers and less cumbersome than wellies. These from Town & Country won’t break the bank, but I’ve found them to be comfortable, waterproof against early morning dew and the odd shower, and non-slip.

Vinyl mug warmer

£15 at Mustard £18.79 at Amazon

House full of mugs of half-drunk hot drinks that have gone cold? Enter the USB cup warmer. Great for any WFH setup, the heat-emitting pad keeps teas toasty and coffees consumable, while its vinyl-inspired design is great for self-professed musos.

Sports team stadium print

From £8 at Etsy

Distil his sporting passion with a contemporary, illustrated print of his team’s home ground, which range in size from 5 x 7in postcards to A1. Bath-based Turf Football Art has thousands of stadiums to choose from across football, rugby and cricket, and if his club isn’t listed, you can request a custom order.

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Food and drink

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Hot sauce gift set

£40.99 at Bauce Brothers

Hot sauce heads will love this king-size bundle from spicy condiment specialists Bauce Brothers. The pack features five of the bottle shop’s British bestsellers, and ranges from the smoky warmth of Payst’s Spicy Burnt Sauce through to the Scoville scale-topping sting of Shots Fired’s Original Reaper. All five have livened up any dish I’ve tried them on, although be warned – tame Tabasco this ain’t; my taste buds are still recovering from an overzealous sprinkling of Original Reaper …

De’Longhi Stilosa EC230 espresso coffee machine

£84 at John Lewis £89.99 at De’Longhi

A manual espresso machine for less than £100? No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. The Stilosa EC230 was rated the best budget manual machine in the Filter’s test for a reason, producing “great espresso, wonderful flat whites, and moreish cappuccinos”. This will have him perfecting his latte art before Boxing Day.

For more, see our guide to the best coffee machines for your home

Hario V60 coffee server

£25 at Origin Coffee £22.99 at Amazon

Does your dad prefer a slower, filtered approach to his morning coffee? When I’ve actually got five minutes to myself, this Hario glass server has been an ideal companion to a V60. Not only does this increase the volume of coffee you can prepare with each batch, but its rubber lid and heat-proof materials mean its contents have stayed warmer for longer, too. Plus, if the coffee does go cold, you can pop it into the microwave for a quick blast.

Coffee scales

£26.95 at Caffeine Gears

However he concocts his coffee, a dedicated set of scales is a great addition to his paraphernalia (and will stop the kitchen set getting gummed up with grounds). Accurate to 0.1g and including a built-in timer, this rechargeable pick from Caffeine Gears will enable him to fine-tune his technique at all stages of the process, from weighing his beans and adding precision to his pour to perfecting his cafetiere plunge.

Forlife teapot

£29.95 at Tea People £32.77 at Amazon

Because not all dads are entrenched in espresso, the Forlife Stump is a compact and colourful two-cup design with a stainless-steel infuser insert that’s brilliant for brewing loose and whole leaf tea (it’s also easy to remove without singeing fingertips). The infuser can also be removed if using teabags, and the whole thing is dishwasher safe.

Dishoom cookbook and ingredients set

£55 at Sous Chef

A cookbook can often be hampered by its ingredient list – particularly if it involves exotic extracts or specialist spices. Fortunately, Sous Chef has an ingenious solution, pairing popular recipes with all those hard-to-find flourishes, unlocking the dishes that can’t be made with the contents of your local corner shop. This set has cranked up my curry game, and the addition of urid beans and ginger paste has had the smells of Dishoom’s signature black dal wafting from the kitchen.

Hand-thrown stoneware mug

£32 at Etsy

The Village Pottery’s stoneware ceramics are hand-thrown on the outskirts of Bristol, and its mugs have been a staple of my morning ritual for years. While there are five different glazes to pick from and the option to add a short personalised stamp, whichever you choose, the artisanal production process means it will be one of a kind. They’re also dishwasher safe and have survived the odd knock from me, and still look as fresh after thousands of brews as they did on their first.

White Mausu peanut rāyu

£6.95 at Ocado £7.84 at Amazon

This crispy chilli oil is so versatile, and its balance of heat, sweet, salt and crunch has been the perfect accompaniment on everything from scrambled eggs to stir-fries. You’re best off ordering two jars as the first won’t hang around for long.

Katto kitchen scissors

£45 at Fortnum & Mason

A good pair of scissors is the perfect gift for a cooking fan, and my Katto set has come in handy for a wide range of tasks, including spatchcocking a chicken, chopping herbs mess-free in a mug and cutting up pizzas. Made from Japanese steel, they have a satisfying weight to them, and include clever in-built tools such as a bottle opener and shellfish/nut cracker. It comes with a penny for good luck, too, ensuring relationships are kept intact this Christmas.

Tortilla press

£29.50 at Masa Tortillas

This Mexican-made stainless steel (15cm) tortilla press is great if he loves taco night. Mix masa (corn flour) with water to make a quick dough, before pressing ping pong-size balls and dry frying the flat discs to cook. The result is miles better than anything you can get in the shops, and requires hardly any effort.

VonShef fondue set

£31.99 at Debenhams £31.99 at Amazon

This set has everything he needs to get started, including a non-stick cast-iron pan, adjustable burner and six long-stemmed forks. Just source the cheese or chocolate and decide what you’re dipping.

Wine selection, pack of three

£54.95 at Top Cuvée

Swerve the supermarket wine aisle and dabble in something a sommelier would approve of instead. London-based bottle shop Top Cuvée’s bestsellers pack features a white, rose and red that should please everyone from casual wine-drinkers to vino virtuosos.

Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5% ale, 8 x 500ml

£12.80 at Majestic

Low- and no-alcohol alternatives have never been better for dads who aren’t drinking. Adnams’ Ghost Ship beer has the bold, hoppy flavours of its pale ale sibling, but comes in at 0.5% ABV instead of 4.5% because of the de-alcoholisation process post-brewing.

Brugal 1888 double-aged rum, 70cl

£33.99 at Master of Malt £38.50 at Amazon

If that bottle of whisky from last Christmas is still knocking around, it may be time to try a different, more tropical, tack. Although rum has a reputation for being strong or best mixed, the aged, dark variety can be as deep in flavour and pleasant on the palate as a single malt. This double-aged rum from Dominican-based distillery Brugal 1888 is made for sipping, and has a subtle, smoky profile for those who are fans of the peaty stuff.

Licor 43 liquor, 70cl

£16.92 at Asda £16.92 at Amazon

If you’ve bought the espresso machine from further up this list (or are buying for a coffee connoisseur), they might also enjoy this vanilla-infused Spanish liquor. Mix equal parts with cooled espresso, serve over ice, and you’ve made yourself a carajillo – a caffeinated cocktail that I first tried in Mexico City and have been recreating ever since. It knocks the socks off an espresso martini.

Gnocchi paddle

£4.75 at Pasta Kitchen £4.95 at eBay

Pasta machines are big, bulky and a pain to store (and clean) unless used regularly. This 12cm-long gnocchi paddle is a compact and fun way of making small, ridged pasta shapes, such as gnocchi and cavatelli, and will fit in a cutlery drawer.

Galantino olive oil (and reusable bottle)

£32 at Ocado £36 at Sous Chef

This ceramic olive oil bottle will bring a splash of Puglian flair to any occasion, but you’re not just buying a snazzy hand-decorated bottle. Beneath the red wax seal and cork lies 500ml of punchy extra virgin olive oil from one of Italy’s oldest olive-growing areas. It has livened up my salad dressings and is delicious drizzled on tomatoes. Once it’s finished, the bottle can be refilled and reused.

AnySharp Pro knife sharpener

£20 at John Lewis From £12.43 at Amazon

This small device can be locked in place on a work surface via its suction cup, and with safe swipes, the tungsten carbide tool will get any knife – even serrated blades – back to their peak potential.

Letterbox sweets

£10.98 at Etsy

Send a secret Santa gift to those in your life with a sweet tooth with this letterbox pick ‘n’ mix selection. Choose from fizzy, jelly or a combination of the two (or vegetarian), and include a personalised note; handy if you’re not going to see them on the big day.

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Tech and gaming

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Apple iPhone case

£38.69 at Otterbox £38.69 at Amazon

Protect his phone from himself with this virtually indestructible case, which can survive drops, bumps and being sat on in a back pocket, and has covers that stop dust and dirt from getting into the charging port.

Monocular

£55 at London Camera Exchange £59 at Amazon

Up his wildlife-spotting game with a monocular. More compact than a set of binoculars and just as clear, this pocket-size telescope’s 8x magnification is great for birdwatching in a hide or on the move.

Snowsky Echo Mini MP3 player

£49.99 at AMP3 £68.99 at eBay

A growing number of music fans are turning their back on apps like Spotify and Apple Music, and listening to their record collection algorithm-free on a digital audio player. This cassette walkman-inspired design ticks the retro box, but is modern on the inside – including a microSD card slot and the ability to connect to Bluetooth headphones. For an extra, personalised touch, he could upload a playlist of his own on to the 8GB of built-in storage.

For more, see MP3 players are making a comeback – I tested 15 to find the best

Nintendo Switch arcade-inspired case

£44.99 at Very £44.99 at Amazon

Featuring a joystick and some mash-ready buttons, this stand and case turns a Nintendo Switch console into a retro, personalised cabinet, albeit with better graphics and a selection of games not limited to Space Invaders and Pac-Man.

Catan

£33.98 at Zatu Games £33.89 at Amazon

A refreshing alternative to Monopoly for board-game lovers, Catan requires just the right amount of brain power and should cause fewer arguments than Scrabble.

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Fitness/outdoors

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Parkrun barcode keyring

£5.99 at Etsy

This keyring is perfect for parkrun-obsessed papas. Personalised with their own custom barcode, it means they can leave the phone or soggy little scraps of paper at home, and simply whip their keys out when crossing the line to log their 5K time.

Sums running socks

£19 at Sums

Running socks are a solid, ahem … stocking filler for any pavement pounders, and this pair from Sums are the ones I reach for. They go big on support and comfort, courtesy of moisture-wicking mesh, anti-blister protection around the ankle and a compressive fit that hugs the feet. Finished in an eye-catching checked pattern, they will become his go-to pick for everything from short strolls to marathon-distance efforts.

Darn Tough walking socks

£28 at Darn Tough From £21.60 at Amazon

This lightweight set from Darn Tough is great for hiking. Made from merino wool, they’re breathable, sweat-wicking and minimise odours because of the material’s natural properties – a present for him, and your nose.

Smartwool base layer

£80 at Millets £80 at Blacks

This Smartwool base layer offers year-round temperature regulation, whether worn beneath layers on the coldest days or on its own during the summer. It’s made of merino wool and is designed to prevent chafing when carrying a rucksack.

Silva head torch

£47.49 at Mountain Warehouse From £38.62 at Amazon

A head torch is a must for running, hiking or just navigating a campsite after dark. The lightweight Terra Scout XT from Swedish brand Silva can emit up to 350 lumens, which is more than enough for following a footpath in the pitch black, and has a lamp body made from plant fibres and recycled plastics.

For more, read our guide to the best head torches

Buff neck warmer/snood

£22.95 at Buff £24.95 at Amazon

Snood, hood, balaclava or headband, a Buff is an adaptable piece of kit that won’t get left at home during outdoor activities. This lightweight option has provided enough warmth without becoming overbearing during more strenuous stints, but if I’ve overdressed for the conditions, it’s easy enough to wrap around your wrist and doubles as a sweatband. It’s sustainable too, thanks to its 100% merino wool material and naturally sourced tie-dye finish.

Coros heart-rate monitor

£68.99 at SportsShoes £69 at Amazon

If Dad analyses his performance metrics after every run, ride or ramble, then a separate heart-rate monitor is a coach-recommended way to ramp up the accuracy of his findings compared with one built into a smartwatch. Coros’s monitor is strapped to the upper arm, making it more comfortable and less likely to slip than a chest-mounted one, and it can pair with any Bluetooth heart-rate-enabled device.

Sea to Summit dry bag

From £11.99 at Ultralight From £12 at Cotswold Outdoor

While it may sound a bit, well, dry, a dry bag is an essential addition to an outdoorsman’s armoury. Whether exploring on land or taking to the water, these lightweight waterproof sacks are great for protecting valuables such as phones and first-aid kits against the elements.

Pas Normal Studios Balance T-shirt

£57.99 at BSTN

Brighten up his workout with this lightweight sports top from Pas Normal Studios. The Danish company has cycling roots but has ventured into general activewear with its Balance range. This T-shirt has kept me comfortable and sweat-free on everything from long runs to reps in the gym, while its eye-catching design has turned heads (and I’m assuming it’s for the right reasons).

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Books

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Kindle Paperwhite

£159.99 at Argos £169.99 at Amazon

Whether he doesn’t have one or is in dire need of an upgrade, the latest Paperwhite model features a crisp display, and its battery can last 12 weeks.

For more, read our guide to the best e-readers

Cat on the Road to Findout by Yusuf/Cat Stevens

£22.50 at the Guardian Bookshop £19.99 at Amazon

One of 2025’s most anticipated autobiographies, Cat on the Road to Findout is Yusuf/Cat Stevens at his most captivating. Renowned for his prolific songwriting period and abandonment of music, it was interesting to discover his early career and later life’s dedication to humanitarian causes.

The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer

£18.70 at the Guardian Bookshop £10.98 at Amazon

In his third novel, the Long Shoe, the comedian puts his surrealist spin on the thriller genre via the protagonist of bathroom salesman Matt. Just as funny as his previous efforts, it’s a page-turner that’s had me laughing out loud in ways that only Bob Mortimer knows how.

Peach Street to Lobster Lane by Felicity Cloake

£15.29 at the Guardian Bookshop £13.82 at Amazon

The Guardian food writer is back with her third cycling-and-culinary travelogue, which sees her cross the US. Reading about Cloake battling her way along the varying (and sometimes nonexistent) bike infrastructure had even the hardened cyclist in me on edge, and her sampling of local specialities (including plenty of pie) left me reminiscing about beignets and bagels from previous trips across the Atlantic.

The Explorer’s Gene by Alex Hutchinson

£22.50 at the Guardian Bookshop £20 at Amazon

The elite-level runner turned sports academic and writer turns his attention to exploration and its importance in day-to-day life. Blending the stories of modern-day adventurers with the latest scientific research, it looks at the benefits of trying things out of the ordinary (although reading it has laid the foundations for attempts at even more ridiculous fitness challenges and the early onset of my mid-life crisis).

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Fashion

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Paul Smith socks

£17.60 at Yards Store £23 at Paul Smith

While your budget may not stretch to one of his suits, a pair of Paul Smith socks in block stripes should be within reach. Made in Italy from a cotton blend, they feel as good as they look and knock any novelty socks out of the park.

Skims boxer briefs, pack of three

£49 at End £50 at Skims

Whatever your thoughts on Kim Kardashian, the reality TV star turned business mogul’s clothing brand, Skims, knows how to make a comfortable pair of pants. These boxer briefs offer support without being restrictive, and the soft cotton fabric keeps things breathable.

The North Face mules

£45.50 at Ellis Brigham £65 at the North Face

Even if the closest I’ll ever get to summiting Everest is ascending the stairs to my home office, I’ve still benefited from some basecamp comfort via these North Face mules. Their insulated uppers keep the chill off on days when the heating hasn’t kicked in, while the rubber sole is more durable and has outlasted numerous other standard slippers – not bad considering I wear them around the house for about 12 hours most days.

Pyjama set

£35 at M&S

Encourage him to ditch the old T-shirt and boxer combo for some proper PJs. This set from Marks & Spencer won’t leave him red-faced answering the door, and is great for duvet days between Christmas and New Year.

Merino wool beanie

£35 at Finisterre

Finisterre’s beanie should keep his head warm. Made from breathable and warming 100% merino wool, it has a traditional thick rib stitch design.

Heattech knitted gloves

£14.90 at Uniqlo

Uniqlo’s Heattech knit gloves showcase the Japanese brand’s thermal expertise, and should keep his hands warm even when temperatures dip below zero. Opt for a subtle grey or black finish for a set that goes with everything, or highlight his colourful side with orange or blue.

Service Works classic chef pants

£65 at Next £65 at Hipstore

Even if he’s not a dab hand in the kitchen, he can look the part in these chef-inspired cotton canvas trousers from Service Works. The relaxed, straight-leg fit is casual enough for days at home, but I’ve also styled them for evenings out, and I predict the adjustable drawstring waistband to come in handy at this time of year.

Patagonia T-shirt

£45 at Patagonia

Add a sustainable staple to his T-shirt drawer with the Patagonia P-6 logo. Fairtrade certified and made with recycled fabrics, the premium-feeling short-sleeve crew neck should go down well, whatever his style.

For more, read the best sustainable Christmas gifts and the best Secret Santa gifts under £15

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Charlie Allenby is a health and fitness journalist who puts running and cycling gear through its paces on increasingly ridiculous endurance challenges. He became a parent last December, so has swapped Strava for sensory toys and now fits his exercise in around changing nappies and entertaining his daughter

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Christmas shopping can be tough – so we spent months finding the perfect presents for everyone on your list. We selected the best products from our testing; enlisted babies, kids and teenagers to find out what they really wanted; and sniffed, tasted and tested the good, the bad and the ugly to bring you 305 genuinely brilliant gifts.

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