Father’s Day is a fabulous, wonderful day to show Dads how much we love them, how special they are—and a great opportunity to poke a little fun, too!

But First, a Story

It seems that we’ve been celebrating Mother’s Day since it was invented by a young girl and promoted by the Wanamaker department store back in 1908.

A campaign quickly followed to create such a day to honor fathers, but it didn’t meet with the same enthusiasm–perhaps because, as one florist explained, “Fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.”

This did not sit well with a Spokane, Wash., woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by their father, a widower.

Dodd set out to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers, and government officials to drum up support for her idea. She was so successful, Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on June 19, 1910,

I only tell you these details because Spokane is where I grew up—where I spent my late childhood and teenage years. And every year, without fail, we’d hear the story about Mrs. Dodd. I’m sure it’s been embellished a bit, how she walked uphill in the snow going from house to house; to every church, store, school, you-name-it, imploring people to help her honor America’s fathers.

But it worked, and here we are 113 years later, about to do it all over again.

 

The Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas for 2023

 

Here for your consideration are super cool, last-minute ideas to help you come up with just the right gifts for the fathers in your life.

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This Ekster Senate Slim Wallet is TeamEC’s top choice in slim wallets, and for good reason. Its sleek design, useful design and beautiful packaging make it an excellent gift choice. But more than just looking good, it is so useful!

With a stylish cash strap and a single cardholder on the outside, it is elegant in its simplicity. More than that, it features an external slot for a gym or other membership car Dad reaches for most often. The company includes a bonus extra strap allowing for an even slimmer profile. Comes in a stunning box to make your presentation even more exciting.

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An insulated mug is a no-brainer gift choice or the Dad who is always on the go. The Yeti Rambler earns high marks keeping drinks hot for hours and for being easy-to-clean—it’s dishwasher-safe. Stainless steel on the inside and powder-coated on the outside for an easy grip, this travel mug is super cup-holder-friendly. Perfect for the casual coffee drinker and even better as an on-the-road companion.

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Finally, Dad’s about to get that book he always knew you could write. What he doesn’t know is that it’s about him. Your chance to make him proud as an author, but also because you’re his kid. This hardback blank book is all ready for you. But hurry… it does take at least a few hours to actually write a book [wink, wink].

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This high-end duffle is a fantastic choice for weekend warriors of all ages. With its vibrant color options and top line construciton, the bag is outfitted with faux-leather handles for added durability and a padded crossbody strap for comfortable carrying. Made from a thin polyester fabric, it also provides water resistance to protect Dad’s belongings.

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A ratchet belt is one of my husband’s favorite items in his closet. He says it is super comfortable, easy to make minor adjustments, and never gets that frayed, worn-out look around the holes!

 

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Who doesn’t love a good Dad joke? But we’re all tired of hearing that one over and over. And over, again. Give your old man a break with an entirely new collection of Dad jokes! These are the worst of all—I mean so good, he’ll have you rolling on the floor begging for him to stop. This book? That good.

 

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Perfect for summer, even better for vacation! So lightweight, soft and comfy. Several color choices. Available in big and tall.

 

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A high-quality chef’s knife can truly be game-changing for ther aspiring foodie in your life. Henckels, with its almost three centuries of knife-making expertise in Germany, showcases its exceptional design skills in this knife. The contoured handle is ergonomically designed to deliver a comfortable grip without any sharp edges.

 

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When it comes to effortless and comprehensive sharpening, the Chef’s Choice Model 15XV stands unrivaled. This exceptional tool eliminates the guesswork and simplifies the process, allowing you to maintain a perfect angle with ease. Whether you own a serrated bread knife or specialized sushi and sashimi knives sharpened on one side, we are convinced this sharpener can handle them all.

Specifically designed to sharpen any straight-edged knife, it achieves a precise 15-degree angle, which is ideal for most new knives. With three convenient settings for sharpening, honing, and polishing, it covers all your sharpening needs. The best part is that there’s no complicated setup, no messy cleanup, and no unnecessary stress involved.

 

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The easiest, most cost-effective way for Dad to chill his favorite beverages! This is quite ingenious. Check it.

 

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The last thing you need is for your foodie father to slice off a finger in an attempt to further his culinary prowess! This stand up mandoline from Dash is the solution. Its safety features are great for people who fear traditional mandolines or have mobility issues. If you know anything about mandolines, you know exactly where the blade is stationary and exposed. That’s a disaster just waiting to happen. This mandoline has an internal guillotine to slice the food, not Dad’s fingers.

 

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Dad may not always be open to the idea of a day of pampering at a massage spa, but he will love these acupressure foot massage sandals. They refresh sore and achy feet while promoting better blood flow. And they look hip ‘n cool, too. He’ll really like knowing that!

 

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Quite possibly, he has mastered the smoker/grill but has taken the outdoor pizza challenge? No one deserves bragging rights more, and he’ll have them in spades with his new Ooni Karu Pizza Oven. Just take a look at this baby—easy to use, super high quality, and that smoky wood-fired flavor that will become his signature. Fits pizzas up to 12 inches and comes complete with a chimney cap!

 

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Suitable for framing. these awesome scratch-off posters are sure to delight any guy with a bucket list or two. Give the ultimate film, book, or travel buff a creative way to keep track of and show off how many movies he’s seen, books he’s read, and places he’s been with a fun 100 Scratch-Off Bucket List Poster scratch-off poster featuring 100 of the best classic and contemporary movies ever made, the best books ever written and must-visit travel destinations. Movies. Books. Places.

 

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The man who’s hot and strong wants his coffee to match. Enter Yeti Rambler—36 oz bottle, vacuum insulated, stainless steel with chug cap—this nearly indestructible tumbler doesn’t sweat, it stands up to the elements with its rust and puncture-proof outer shell, and it’s dishwasher safe. It’ll make him look even cooler than he is already. Lots of color choices.

 

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They say that one of the hardest parts of parenting is that there’s no manual. Well, now there is (at least for fathers!). This really terrific book, Dad Skills, delivers simple, hard-hitting tips and advice in a witty, fun, and easily digestible format for how to be an awesome father and impress all the other parents—from baby wrangling to taming teenagers. 

• MORE: 9 of the Best Pocket Tools and Gadgets Out There

 

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It won’t power up the whole house during an outage, but Dad (maybe you, too?) can keep your phones, laptops, and other devices connected with his new Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer. Or how about that campsite?

(Make sure Dad knows this new power station is solar-ready; it pairs well with Jackery Solar Saga 100W , sold separately, easily getting recharged with the efficient solar panel.)

 

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Every single soggy fast-food mishap in Dad’s car most likely has your name all over it. And now’s the time you can atone for those mishaps. Pay him back by helping him keep every nook and cranny of his current ride crumb-free with his new Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner that can get to every tough-to-reach spot.

 

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For the dad who has everything, I’m going to wager at least one thing is missing: First Place Winner in an Epic Hot Sauce Challenge. Am I right? Thought so. You can help him achieve that one last thing with this Hot Sauce Challenge “Book” of Pleasure and Pain. Send pics, OK?

 

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Dad and everyone near enough for a quick handoff will be saying goodbye to weak breakfasts wrapped in paper with this sandwich maker that delivers piping hot breakfast sandwiches made to order. Every surface is nonstick for hassle-free cooking and removable for quick cleanup. Hmmm … I wonder if he’ll be inspired to also perform that chore. You’ll find out soon enough. And what’s a little cleanup if it lands you a hot, delicious breakfast?

 

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Every car washer worth his salt knows you need foam to get the job done right—massive amounts, too. Not soap suds but f-o-a-m. And now Dad will have all he needs and more to wash his car. Maybe your car, too? It’s worth a shot!

This blaster offers adjustable foam concentration, the Torq Foam Blaster Wash Gun combines the soapy water solution with air and running water to spray foam. How dirty is your car? Very dirty? Not very dirty? Save soap and water by picking the perfect concentration. Simply turn the dial to adjust the dilution ratio of the soapy foam sprayed from the nozzle. Turn a dreaded chore into foamy cleaning fun!

 

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The Gerber EAB (Exchange-a-Blade) Pocket Knife / Money Clip is quite ingenious. First it folds to hide the blade and locks in place so no one gets hurt. Next, that blade is totally replaceable, just like a typical utility knife. But wait! There’s more: The pocket clip doubles as an optional money clip. The overall length is just 4.1 inches when open; closes to 2.4 inches. Uses standard contractor grade utility blades.

 

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Prepare for dad to roll his eyes when he opens this Tile Key Finder gift—he’ll insist he never loses his keys! So just smile and nod. Uh-huh. And don’t worry. He’ll thank you later with a sheepish grin to your knowing smile.

 

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Not everyone wants to carry around a lighter, or so I’ve heard. But still, it’s good to be prepared in time of emergency, which means dry matches at the ready. Exotac MATCHAP Waterproof Match Case is just the ticket to get that job done. Holds matches up to 3-inches in length and keeps them dry even if case is submerged in water. Phosphorous striker is included inside the cap to keep it protected and dry, as well. The inside diameter is wide enough to reach the bottom with your finger. Perfectly designed for function, and it looks good too!

 

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Old Timer Muskrat is super small at just 2 5/8 inches closed length and weighing in at only 2.8 oz. Made of high-quality stainless steel which makes it corrosion resistant, the clip point blade is used for detail work, while the coping blade makes beautifully curved cuts; capable of getting into tight places. With a beautiful sawcut handle, this pocket knife is as handy as it is handsome. A wonderful gift!

 

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For every camper, hiker, and scout—a hobo knife! And Ka-Bar Stainless Steel Original Hobo Knife is the only one I considered, due to its sleek design and quality construction. When closed it is just 3-3/4 inches in length. Comes with the three utensils anyone needs for on-the-go or outdoor dining. Pieces slide apart for washing and easily go back together again.

 

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This, the quintessential gadget, is a mere 3.8 inches in length when closed, and 4 oz. in weight—pocket size! Its spring-action clip easily attaches to a key ring or backpack or slides easily into a small pocket in a handbag.

With its 14 tools in one, he’ll havetools powerful enough to keep you going when things fall apart. And did I say practical?  The Leatherman Wingman Multitoo is super cool and comes with 25-year warranty.

 

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Olight S 1R II Mini Flashlight is the smallest flashlight ever, yet so powerful with its 1000-lumen and two ultra-compact rechargeable LED batteries. Having been married to the same man for 50 years (I know, I can’t believe it either), given birth to and co-raised our two awesome adult sons, and now the luckiest grandma on earth to our two grandsons, I know a thing or two about the male human. He loves a flashlight. A good flashlight. Really powerful. One that always works, is always handy, which means never lost.

Imagine all of these features in a flashlight that is the size of a fat tube of lipstick. With a pocket clip, so it slips into a pocket without going all the way to the bottom, where it ceases to be 100% handy. And has several settings for brightness. And it has a magnet on the end to make it stick to things so you can have both hands free.

Stop imagining because such a thing really does exist. But here’s the very best feature of all: It has a rechargeable battery just like a mobile phone—a tiny mini-USB port (adorable). You recharge it just like a cell phone!

 

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If you can hear your dad entering a room because his keychain dangles, it may be time to bring him into the 21st century. This Keysmart Holder and Organizer fits 14 keys in a compact device that slips right into a pocket. Once you can get him to give ‘er a try, he’ll never go back. Do it!

 

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Such a handy addition to any keychain, this microlight has an On-Off switch, then operates with a pressure switch in a couple of choices of beam color. Photon II LED Keychain Micro-Light comes with replaceable Lithium battery and unbreakable high intensity LED bulb. No more fumbling to read the playbill or restaurant menu or find the keyhole in the dark. What an inexpensive, sweet gem!

 

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Why is it that when you need to light a candle in an emergency or on a birthday cake, that you have no idea where to find a match? Dad will never find himself in that position again once he has this very small, but fully functioning lighter. Just don’t mention that it is so adorable. PPFish Mini Brass Lighter.

 

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With this awesome invention (who thinks of these things?!) Dad won’t have to let his golfing skills get rusty when the weather’s not right for the outdoor version of the game. This Indoor Golf Putting Vent Cup fits most household floor air vents and allows for a steady flow of air without disrupting Dad’s golf game.

 

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This beautiful, heavy-duty set of 20 stainless steel grilling tools is sure to turn even the most casual of grillers in a grill master. Made from stainless steel so they hold up to even the hottest grill, the tools come in a convenient and lightweight aluminum case for storage and transport. 20pc Heavy Duty BBQ Grill Tool Set in Case

 

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Even the best jack-of-all-trades needs this jack-of-all tools—and this socket wrench does the trick. Not only does it deal with nuts and bolts that have become stripped, it fits a wide variety of nuts and bolts. It includes an adapter to attach to electric drills and screwdrivers for speedy work. Professional 7mm-19mm Universal Socket Tool Sets with Power Drill Adapter.

 

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The Mr. Fix-It in your life needs the proper tools to do his job. This toolkit will give him the ability to repair almost any kind of tech. As a bonus, iFixit.com offers Dad over 60,000 online repair guides in case he gets himself into a jam.

 

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It’s just the coolest thing, and a really hot item with men who cannot stand to wear traditional gold or silver wedding bands. The silicone ring is not only good-looking, but it is also practical. Your man can wear it while working out (those barbells won’t destroy his fingers). QALO Men’s Functional Silicone Ring comfortable because it is so lightweight and flexible. Best of all? Inexpensive (cheap!).

 

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This is such a great gift for the first-time dad in your life. Perhaps the most powerful influence in the world is that of a dad on his child. Baseball gloves, dirty diapers, tiny little hands, first days of school, daddy-daughter dances, and learner’s permits… and so much more! This book by John Fuller is just fantastic. He writes First Time Dad: The Stuff You Really Need to Know from the heart using his own experiences and wisdom gleaned from his most important role in life—being a dad.

 

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This Anker Soundcore 2 portable cordless speaker is a sweetheart! I use this speaker all the time in my garden, and am continuously amazed how it can be 60 feet from my computer or phone but remain connected with no crackling or distortion—producing beautiful, glorious sound. And the battery life? Wow. Just goes on and on. Every dad needs a good bluetooth speaker.

 

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If Dad loves strong coffee, this will be his favorite gift on Father’s Day. It’s the world’s strongest coffee—with a strong name to match: Death Wish Ground Coffee. Just check out those reviews! Fair Trade and USDA Certified Organic.

 

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This sunrise and sunset simulation alarm clock gradually lights up from 0% to 100% in 30 minutes before the alarm rings. Could there be a better gift for a father? My son tells me Sunrise Wake-up Light Alarm Clock is the best gift I’ve ever given him, which makes me go, Huh, really?, but I’ll take it. Light can be changed to different colors, includes FM radio and a sleek touchscreen. It is as useful as it is cool to look at.

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If your dad runs on dark, hot liquids, this Zojirushi stainless steel coffee mug is the answer. It’s sleek, it’s beautiful and keeps hot coffee hot for a very long time. It has a non-stick coated interior and flip-open lid. The entire thing disassembles for thorough cleaning. Accommodates full-size ice cubes for cold drinks, too. The 16-ounce capacity is just right, too. 

 

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This Akaso Brave 4 4k WiFi Action Camera Ultra HD is really great. Shoots video (stills too) in 4K Ultra HD at 30 frames per second. Dad can take it diving to 131 ft. depth, too! Super long battery life and comes with an accessory kit. Truly remarkable at this price.

 

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A backpack for all eventualities—as a rucksack, bug out bag; for trekking, camping, hunting even works as a super cool diaper bag. Absolutely amazing in that G4Free 40L Sport/Outdoor Backpack comes with so many features and in several colors. And affordable.

 

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Every hip and cool father wants it known that a mini-fridge for his mancave would delight him to no end. And this Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator is our choice for utility and functionality. Just the right size for all his snacks and beverages.

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