10 Gifts Under $50 That Will Impress Even the Most Hard-to-Shop-for Dads

Elisabeth Sherman
·7 min read

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This Yeti lowball mug is a guaranteed winner.

<p>Food & Wine / Reese Herrington</p>

Food & Wine / Reese Herrington

There’s an old cliche that dads are particularly difficult to shop for, but maybe that’s just because for some dads, their most effusive display of approval is a head nod and slight smile. Well, if you’re feeling the pressure to impress the father figure in your life with a gift that balances style and function perfectly, you’ve come to the right place. I did all the work for you this year, sorting through tons of gear to find holiday gifts that dads of all different kinds will love.

Whether he likes to grill or take the family camping, or he’s just really into coffee right now, keep scrolling to discover our picks for the 10 best gifts to bring holiday joy to your dad this year — all under $50.

The Best Holiday Gifts for Dad Under $50

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Stackable Lowball

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

We love Yeti, and this Yeti 10-ounce lowball mug embodies practicality. It’s durable enough to go in a lunch box, to bring along to the campsite, or to pop in the boat, and thanks to double-wall vacuum insulation, Yeti drinkware maintains the temperature of hot and cold beverages for almost an entire day, according to our testers. The stout, compact size has a wide range of uses that will come in handy for dad — he can take it to work as a coffee mug or even fill it with a single serving of soup, but if he’s anything like the dads I know, he’ll probably have the most fun sipping a dash of whiskey out of it at the end of a long day.

ThermoPro Wireless Meat Thermometer

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

Whether your dad is a seasoned grill enthusiast or just recently started to appreciate the many joys of grilling season, he shouldn’t have to keep using that plastic meat thermometer that’s been sitting in the back of a kitchen drawer for years. Upgrade his grilling gear with this Thermopro meat thermometer. At $35, it’s affordable but still powerful: The dual probes can monitor the temperature of two different cuts of meat at the same time, and it features convenient presets for poultry, lamb, fish, and more. Just connect the thermometer to an app on your phone, so that you can monitor the grill from as far as 650 feet away — a fun feature if your dad is the type who is easily distracted.

Zwilling 8-Inch Eco Chef's Knife

<p>Williams Sonoma</p>

Williams Sonoma

One way to solidify your dad’s status as master of the kitchen is to give him a razor sharp chef’s knife. Zwilling has been forging high quality cutlery in Germany since the 1700s, and they’ve perfected the technique: This chef’s knife is sturdy and durable enough to withstand daily recipe prep so your dad can tackle carving up a chicken or chopping carrots and potatoes without worrying about the blade corroding, staining, rusting, or dulling. And thanks to the ergonomic handle, he can tackle big projects in the kitchen without soreness in his hand or wrist.

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

My partner, who is also a dad, takes pride in his Lodge cast iron skillets, and I think yours will too. Not only are these the ideal pans for searing steaks but they need regular re-seasoning to maintain their durable cooking surface. Taking care of his new skillet might just become an obsession for your dad — he might even stay up late coating it in oil. But all his hard work will pay off, because the more he uses and re-seasons it, the longer it will last, which means more deliciously juicy and tender steaks for you and your family in the long run.

Hedley & Bennett Oven Mitts

<p>Hedley & Bennett </p>

Hedley & Bennett

It’s not easy to make an oven mitt look stylish but this Hedley & Bennett pair certainly has achieved the near-impossible. These quilted oven mitts look modern and yet plush and cozy, offering Dad’s hands plenty of protection near high heat. He'll appreciate the minimalist colorways (like oat and blueberry) and the inside features a fluffy cotton lining for extra softness.

Truff Hot Sauce Black Truffle Oil Combo Pack

<p>Truff</p>

Truff

If your dad is ready to start experimenting with more flavors in the kitchen, this Truff gift set is a good place to start. The combo pack comes with a hot sauce made from red chili peppers and luxurious black truffle oil. With these, he can add a touch of heat or a decadent drizzle of flavor to his favorite recipes (pizza, baked potatoes, pasta — they go with everything), just don’t be surprised if he doesn’t want to share.

Cuisinart Grilling Prep and Serve Trays

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

These trays are another must-have grilling accessory, thanks to their versatility. Right now, a set of two is just $23, and they are from melamine, which won’t break if they’re dropped or get too hot to touch if placed near the grill. Each one measures 17.12 by 10.5 by 1-inches so they are spacious enough to season raw meat and vegetables before grilling, use as a place to rest and store utensils while you’re grilling, and transport food back into the house once you’re done grilling. They also nest together for easy storage.

Stanley Pour Over Set

<p>REI</p>

REI

When I was younger, my dad took me on camping road trips every summer, so if your dad is anything like mine, he probably appreciates any outdoor gear he can get his hands on. Thanks to this Stanley pour over set, your dad can enjoy the leisurely ritual of preparing his morning coffee in the wild. The set consists of a filter which nests over a mug, and each piece is constructed from stainless steel that is designed to endure rough weather and environments — plus there’s no need for those disposable paper filters that are wasteful and take up space in a backpack.

Atmos Vacuum Canister

<p>Fellow</p>

Fellow

I have more than one dad in my life who has gone through (or never left) a serious coffee obsession. If yours spends his time researching single-origin coffee beans or gets up early to pull himself an espresso shot before the rest of the family stirs, he’ll love these stylish Fellow coffee canisters. Designed to store coffee beans, the containers are airtight, which keep beans fresh and prevent oxidation. Plus, they’ll look way better than a plastic storage bag full of coffee beans on his kitchen counter.

Via Carota Classic Negroni

<p>Drink Viacarota</p>

Drink Viacarota

The Negroni is a timeless cocktail — it's sophisticated with just a note of sweetness and tang, just like your dad probably. New York City restaurant Via Carota is famous for its well-balanced, smooth cocktails, which is why we are so excited that they recently launched these bottled cocktails. No matter where your dad lives he can enjoy them (and without a reservation!). Each bottle is 375 milliliters — that’s four cocktails total — and can be poured straight into his favorite tumbler for effortless sipping on a delicious drink, no mixing or cocktail equipment required. 

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