Unique Father’s Day Gifts He'll Never Expect

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If you’ve ever found yourself in a pickle over what to give Pops on Father’s Day, you’re not alone. Sure, cufflinks, neckties, even trending-again dad sneakers are all classic fare, but when you want to really make an impact this year, it’s time to think out of the box. And by out of the box, we mean going for unique Father’s Day gifts that go above and beyond the usual and hit just the right notes of thoughtful, creative, fun, and, dare we say it, actually useful.

For this list of quirky, original picks, we included gifts that enrich Dad’s hobbies (grillmaster, anyone?) and some that might even encourage new ones (empty nester-turned-birder? Right this way.). Of course, things that tickle his funny bone — like a personalized shoutout from his fave comedian — made the list, alongside a few sentimental gifts that tug at the heartstrings and remind him how lucky we are to have him in our corner.

Gone are the days of feeling abject confusion around this time of the gifting year. Not only will this roundup make Dad’s life a tad more delightful, but best yet, it proves to him that good taste — *finger guns*— indeed runs in the family!

Campus Indoor Colorblind Glasses

What do ’90s romcoms and glasses for color blindness have in common? The ability to reduce me to a sopping pool of emotions, that’s what. If you’re lucky enough to have been blessed by your algo with colorblind dads seeing true vibrancy for the first time, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

EnChroma colorblind glasses come in indoor and outdoor versions, and apart from making Dad look like a real-life, super-cool member of the X-Men, they also stimulate the brain's color vision processing. The glasses, which are available for both protan and deutan color blindness, can improve color vision by up to 5 times.

Our digital designer Hunter Young gave a pair of sunglasses to her dad for Father’s Day and can attest they were a hit. “My dad is a huge outdoor nut, and we thought it would be cool for him to experience the vibrancy of greens and reds throughout the year,” she says. And yes, they come in safety, kids, and prescription versions, too.

I actually can't think of anything that tops seeing the world in a whole new light, so I'll just be here in a corner, crying all the tears 🥲

More: 81 Best Father's Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad

Bonsai Starter Kit

If your dad could use a bit of newfound zen in his life (beta-blockers be damned), a bonsai growing kit might be just the thing. This beginner-friendly kit has everything a budding (heh) bonsai enthusiast needs, down to the burlap pots and clippers.

Over 7,000 five-star reviewers love how fun and giftable this set is. The only downside: The Karate Kid DVD is, unfortunately, not included.

Personalized Video with Physical Card

When the only thing that can top his own dad jokes are ones straight from the source, Cameo is your best bet. Does your dad have a fave comedian, pro athlete, actor, or singer he hopes to shoot the breeze with someday? Give him the next best thing with an awesome celebrity greeting from the video shoutout site (and everyone's fave guilty pleasure).

With Cameo, you can pay for a celebrity to give Dad a special Father's Day message (most celebs have up to 7 days to send the video, or you can pay extra for a 24-hour turnaround).

And, also, you're in luck: If Dad's an analog soul, Cameo is also having a 50% off sale on their physical greeting cards for Father's Day.

Through June 9, you can book a personalized Cameo video with a handwritten card with a QR code to access the said video. You literally win the holiday this year with this one.

Mini Portable Oven

Thousands upon thousands rave about this “now I can’t live without it” portable oven-cum-electric lunch box, which pretty much bridges the gap between kitchen and destination in one handy kit.

The Hotlogic Mini plugs into any standard wall outlet and heats up your food containers — glass, Tupperware, plastic, metal, you name it — so your food is always hot and ready for the noshing when you are.

“A must-have for fitness people who meal prep,” says one 5-star Amazon reviewer. “This is an amazing product. I never realized how much a microwave dries out or toughens food. Being a fitness person who packs meals, my food sometimes is not that tasty, nuking it made it worse. With this, gently warming it makes the food taste way better. I recommend this big time.”

This perfect little invention is great for dads who go tailgating, hot meals on the road (check out Hotlogic's genius vehicle-compatible version), or a legit-feeling home-cooked meal while at the office. #TeamLeftovers!

North American Bird Call Set

Has Dad gone full Dad and explored the wild and wonderful realm of birdwatching? If so, he probably has the beginner's bells and whistles, like the binoculars and the birder pamphlets, but does he have a bird call simulator!? I think not.

This adorable (and yes, effective) bird call set has three wooden callers — one each for robins, chickadees, and mallard ducks. Users adore this charming hand-carved set, saying that it’s a “fun gift to give” and praising how it’s “unique and beautifully made.” And yes, they work: Watch your father's face light up as he engages with his new feathered friends.

Backordered? Pair it with this hummingbird feeder set to sweeten the deal while Dad waits.

Space-Saving Vacuum Sealer with Bags and Roll

One of my dad buddies can't stop gushing about his vacuum sealer and how it pretty much changed his life, so far be it for me to gatekeep. This is a space-saving option great for those with limited counter space but who still want to get into the very satisfying world of vacuum-sealing and sous-vide-ing.

If your dad is into marinating meats or meal prep, this is a particularly awesome tech surprise he won't necessarily think of getting for himself.

Bites 2 Lite Interactive WiFi Pet Monitoring Camera

I would never leave out the fur dads from any roundup! The way I see it, the Petcube is a two-pronged gift: First, for all of us pet lovers who deal with separation anxiety while at work or when traveling, and second, for the poor babies left behind while we're away.

For the uninitiated, the Petcube Lite is a pet camera with two-way audio that also dispenses dry treats and even comes with a vet chat app. Because if you're not hovering over your dogs' and cats' every single move, what even are you doing with your life?

'McQueen Asleep In Pickup' by John Dominis

I have yet to meet a man of a certain age who doesn’t consider Steve McQueen as the ultimate guy’s guy. Pay homage to this legend — and ex-Marine, race car driver, leading man, actor, daredevil, all-around arbiter of cool — with an elegantly framed print that Dad can look at whenever and wherever he needs a jolt of inspiration... even at rest.

Lots of other icons on the site, too, so no worries if he's more of a music or a golf fan.

Personalized Storybook

If Dad is a romantic, nothing beats a personalized book crafted from his own words and experiences. An annual subscription to Storyworth includes weekly question prompts via email sent to the recipient, and the replies and photos are then bound into a book at the end of the year for them to enjoy.

You can choose from preset questions like “Who are your favorite artists?” and “What is one of your fondest childhood memories?” to help you learn more about your loved ones, or you can also ask your own or enlist Mom’s help in telling their love story. Either way, it’s an introspective and unique Father’s Day gift to cherish for decades.

Nonstick Grill Grids (Set of 3)

We understand that your household's resident grillmaster might not need any more help, but hear us out: These nonstick grill pans actually make his life way easier. How, you say? By doing the thankless job of cradling all those smaller veggies and little extras that otherwise fall through the cracks while grilling, while still allowing all the juices to fall through.

It's the little things, but you'll thank us come cleanup time.

Rastelli's Preferred Steak Collection

Speaking of grilling, this premium Black Angus steak collection from renowned butchers Rastelli's features all the choice cuts that will make Dad's (and the whole family's) mouth water.

The collection includes two tender cuts each of filet mignon, New York strip, ribeye, and filet of top sirloin beef, for an unrivaled backyard barbecue you'll be talking about for years to come.

U.S. Coffee Road Trip Box

I see your whiskey flight and raise you a coffee bean flight from each region in the U.S.!

Dads serious about their coffee — or curious about other artisan blends in the country — will get a kick out of this inventive approach to bean-tasting, with a theme that hearkens back to that beloved golden age of wide roads and open spaces.

The bean box includes three expert selections each from the Northeast, South, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest areas of the country. The only thing better than cruising down "Ventura Highway?" Doing so while deliciously caffeinated.

Group Video

Another heartwarming gift suggestion for Father's Day? Have the clan come together for a touching group video for the recipient. Memento allows multiple people to add personalized messages to one entire clip via desktop or smartphone, as well as customize the interface before sharing it with their loved ones.

Reviews editor Valerie Hughes loves how user-friendly the service is (you can avail of a free trial, but the subscription-based service comes with paid-only upgrades). “I made a group video for my mom’s 70th and got about 40 people ranging from cousins to childhood friends to participate. It was really seamless even for non-techy people to submit their videos and my mom was really touched by the compilation video,” she says.

Think of it as the modern (and less awkward) version of passing along a Handycam to record your greetings.

Makers Fire Hose Apron

If weekend warrior, Dad-style, means heavy-duty gardening, tinkering around the garage for his home projects, or doing anything that requires protective gear, a sturdy, grime-proof worker's apron is just the thing to keep the rest of his 'fit clean while in the zone.

A front slit gives good range of motion, while multiple pockets, loops, and clips provide a place for everything from hammers to notepads and utility knives. It's as if Batman had a utility belt for his DIY Sundays.

ZOZOSUIT and App

Between ChatGPT and AI, stepping into the future can get a tad overwhelming, even for us younger 'uns. But innovation can be a phenomenal thing, especially when it comes to biohacking your way to wellness.

Enter Zozosuit, the world's first-ever at-home 3D body scanner. Wear it, get measurements for over 10 areas of the body, log body fat percentage, set goals, and, most crucially, track improvements through the app. There's nothing like Dad seeing the numbers for himself to get him well on the way to progress.

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