Parenting

30 Gift Ideas For Your Father-In-Law When You're At A Total Loss

by Jenn Sinrich
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
father in law gifts
Bakers Bacon/Personalization Mall

If you thought your partner was hard to shop for, just wait until you have to brainstorm gift ideas for your father-in-law—the family’s most notoriously impossible person to buy gifts for. They either always say that they “don’t need anything” or they’re the pickiest person on the planet (somehow even more than the person you married!) Luckily, if you’re shopping online like most people this year, there are endless options available to you at your fingertips—even for someone as hard to shop for as your father-in-law.

Whether you’re shopping for Christmas gifts for father in law or for their 50th birthday, the easiest way is to figure out the best gift for your father-in-law is to narrow down his interests. Even if you can’t really think of them on the spot, you might put two and two together in terms of his good taste in wine, his obsession with the latest and greatest technology, or his non-stop talk about golf. Putting him in bucket categories always makes it easier to narrow down gift ideas. Is he a coffee lover? A fisher? A reader? Time to think, Mama!

If all else fails, a gift receipt always comes in handy—or, of course, you could just tell him to STFU, deal with it, and be grateful that you got him anything at all (you big ball of sass, you). This year, as you consider what to get your father-in-law for his birthday, the holidays, or just because, we’re helping you out by narrowing down a handful of products that might fit the bill.

Best Gifts For Father In Law

Pegai Personalized Minimalist Bifold Wallet
$37
Kitchen + Home Indoor Stove Top Smokeless Grill
$25
Civilized Coffee Ultimate Coffee Gift Box with Coffee Grinder
$79.95
Catch Co Mystery Tackle Box Bass Fishing Kit
$22.99
Airthings Radon & Air Quality Monitor
$196.99
Cyxus Blue Light Glasses
$13.99
Baker’s Bacon Subscription

Here’s a gift you pretty much can’t go wrong with because, who doesn’t love bacon? Baker’s Bacon is made from sustainably and humanely-raised, vegetarian-fed, antibiotic-free heritage breed pork and is sourced from family-owned farms in Iowa. You can order just one box or choose a specific frequency for delivery.

$95
Mizzen+Main Fairway Pullover

Every father-in-law needs a quality pullover for the winter months. This one is super versatile and ideal for layering, whether he’s going to the office, catching up with co-workers over Zoom or gathering around the table with friends and family. It’s ultra soft, stretchy and moisture-wicking.

$98
Mora Double Wall Ceramic Coffee Travel Mug with Lid
$21
Amazon Essentials Men's Slim-fit Stretch Golf Pant
$25.50
NakedWines.com 90+ Rated Red Wines 11-Pack

If your father-in-law loves trying new wines, a gift box of bottles from Nakedwines.com is a great idea for the holidays or for his birthday. This gift set includes 11 bottles of only 90-rated wines and above. Every offering on Nakedwines.com comes with its own recipe recommendation directly from the winemaker, which is listed within the product pages. 

$136
Funny Favorite T-Shirt
$19.98

Birthday Gifts For Father In Law

Monogram Personalized Golf Club Cover

For the father-in-law who loves golf, what could be better than a personalized golf club of their own. With this purchase you get to choose to add initials, their full name, or a sweet message on something that he can enjoy using for years to come.

$25
Photo For Him Personalized Adult Sweatshirts

For the grandfather who can’t get enough of his grandkids, this is a great gift. You can have this sweatshirt totally personalized with a photo and saying of your choice.

$29
DesignsByHarubin Leather Bookmark

Is your father-in-law a bookworm? This gift may be the best one yet. This leather bookmark from DesignsByHarubin comes with free personalization and your choice of message. One happy customer said, “I bought this as an anniversary gift and it was absolutely beautiful. The leather was gorgeous, thick, and of good quality. Definitely worth the price, and the personalization made it very special. He loved it! Thanks again. Support small businesses like this! The quality is unbeatable.”

$11
Classic Celebrations Personalized Royal Decanter

Add a personalized touch to your gift this year with this whisky decanter and glass set that you can have customized with your father-in-law’s last name.

$40
Tylmen's Face Mask Pocket Square

Here’s a great way to keep your father-in-law looking sharp and staying safe—with a pocket square that doubles as a face mask! It comes in a variety of colors and prints.

$10
Edifier X3 True Wireless Stereo Earbuds
$29.99
Bluelene Trio Gift Box Set
$100
Collins Men's Plaid Woven Shirt
$100
Carhartt Men's Acrylic Watch Hat
$16.98
Do It Yourself Mini Doughnut Making Kit
$29.99
MEATER Plus Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer
$99
Ancestry World Explorer Subscription

For the father-in-law who is hellbent on discovering his ancestry and accessing his family’s records, this is a great gift. This six-month membership gives him access to more than 80 countries and so much more.

$119

Future Father In Law Gifts

JBHO Durability Whiskey Glasses
$25.49
FOCO On-Field Face Covers
$16
Bamboo Cheese Board Set With Cutlery In Slide-Out Drawer
$29
Baylis & Harding The Fuzzy Duck Ginger and Lime Collection Great British Gentlemen Overnight Kit Gift Set

Talk about a total bang for your buck! This gift set comes with the essential self-care products to ensure your favorite father-in-law is groomed to perfection, like hair and body wash, soap, and shower gel.

$8
Halva Trio Gift Set

This NYC-based company churns out artisanal halva in over 30 flavors, tahini as well as a range of sesame spices. Their gift set includes pistachio, sea salt dark chocolate and raspberry halva, which all make a great gift for your FIL.

$39
Father-in-Law Cutting Board
$25.99

Need more ideas for presents this year? Check out the rest of our gift guides!

SHOP THE STORY

Civilized Coffee Ultimate Coffee Gift Box with Coffee Grinder
$79.95
Catch Co Mystery Tackle Box Bass Fishing Kit

Fishing is one of the activities that your father-in-law can still enjoy this year while so many other activities are off limits due to social distancing. Mystery Tackle Box is a great gift to enhance his fishing experience. They provide an expertly curated assortment of quality fishing lures along with tips and instructions to teach your FIL new tricks and techniques. All you have to do is choose your box size or fish type.  

$22.99
Baker’s Bacon Subscription

Here’s a gift you pretty much can’t go wrong with because, who doesn’t love bacon? Baker’s Bacon is made from sustainably and humanely-raised, vegetarian-fed, antibiotic-free heritage breed pork and is sourced from family-owned farms in Iowa. You can order just one box or choose a specific frequency for delivery.

$95
Tylmen's Face Mask Pocket Square

Here’s a great way to keep your father-in-law looking sharp and staying safe—with a pocket square that doubles as a face mask! It comes in a variety of colors and prints.

$10
Bluelene Trio Gift Box Set

If your father-in-law gives a damn about his skin (unlike most father-in-laws), give him the gift of a full set of skin care products including a night cream, eye cream and daily moisturizer.

$100
Cyxus Blue Light Glasses

Gift your tech-loving father-in-law with a stylish pair of blue light glasses that help protect his eyes from the harsh light of his computer and smartphone (as well as any other electronic device he uses on the regular). These epic lenses utilize technology that filters 50 percent of blue light and up to 95 percent at the strongest wavelengths, without the yellow tint. And they have over 7,000 reviews that rave about how great they work. One reviewer said, “I love that these are blue light blocking but they look like normal glasses! Glasses also come with a little test that shows you how it blocks out the blue light AND a case with a cleaning towel for the glasses. You get great quality for the price and cute style.” If you’re looking for a more expensive pair, take a look the Mullins frames by Warby Parker and select the non-prescription option.

$13.99
Pegai Personalized Minimalist Bifold Wallet
$37
Do It Yourself Mini Doughnut Making Kit

What father-in-law doesn’t love doughnuts? This DIY donut kit includes a pound of doughnut mix, four Doughnuttery doughnut sugars, a doughnut depositor and instruction guide so your FIL can make kick-ass donuts in the comfort of his home.

$29.99
Halva Trio Gift Set

This NYC-based company churns out artisanal halva in over 30 flavors, tahini as well as a range of sesame spices. Their gift set includes pistachio, sea salt dark chocolate and raspberry halva, which all make a great gift for your FIL.

$39
Mizzen+Main Fairway Pullover

Every father-in-law needs a quality pullover for the winter months. This one is super versatile and ideal for layering, whether he’s going to the office, catching up with co-workers over Zoom or gathering around the table with friends and family. It’s ultra soft, stretchy and moisture-wicking.

$98
Harry & David Deluxe Advent Calendar
$100
Collins Men's Plaid Woven Shirt
$100

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