Amazon, Quince, The Sill
Why is it that you can’t step outside without spotting a “dad hat” or a “dad sneaker,” yet when you try to buy the best gift for anyone’s actual father, it’s like a 404 error message engulfs the universe. Tired gender norms aside, dads can be hard to shop for, largely because they’re not always great at communicating what they want.
To save you some time this winter season and to hopefully gift the fathers and father figures around you with some items they’ll truly cherish, we asked some of our favorite dads (and the people in close to them) what’s on their wishlists for 2023.
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From kitchenwares to home tech to many types of socks, here are gifts for all sorts of dads that dads have actually asked for.
1
Nike
Nike Killshot 2 sneakers
Williams' husband is also asking for these low-profile leather Nike sneakers, which are sharp enough to dress up with slacks and a sweater but still casual enough to wear with jeans and a T-shirt.
2
Target
A Google Nest
My dear friend Clark and his father are both into cooking and current events. Clark, who's in his early 30s, recently gifted his dad a Google Nest so he can watch the news as he's making dinner. It's a user-friendly home tech item that doesn't totally break the bank and could be great for other news lovers or multitaskers.
3
Bombas
Bombas socks
Another classic dad gift with many options: socks. Williams’ husband is asking for Bombas socks made from moisture-wicking merino wool that naturally regulates temperature and keeps feet from getting funky.
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4
Igloo
A retro-inspired Igloo standing cooler
Chris P., husband of HuffPost senior audience editor Abigail Williams and dad to a 2-year-old, is asking for this incredibly cool looking Igloo cooler that comes in a ton of vintage-inspired colors, can stand on its own and has an easy carrying strap.
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5
Amazon
A waterproof Bluetooth speaker
Promising review: "I bought this portable speaker because I needed one that I could use in my shower and outside when it rains without worrying about it getting wet. I also like that you can plug a SD card into it and listen to MP3s that I have on my smartphone or computer. The sound is the best part of this speaker; it produces a nice rich sound and is not tinny like other portable speakers. It comes with a charging cable, and it can be hung or be carried with the adjustable lanyard that's attached to it. Pairing via Bluetooth is very easy to do. All in all, I am very pleased." — John S.
6
Banana Republic
Banana Repubic's athletic tapered pants
Ruane’s brother-in-law also recommends gifting the athletic tapered pants from Banana Republic. "[They're] thicker than slacks and can go formal or casual," he said, adding that a pair usually lasts him two years.
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7
The Sill
An easy-care houseplant
A friend's dad who preferred to remain anonymous is currently taking care of his sick wife and asking for low-maintenance house plants, like this easy-care snake plant that comes in this chic pot from the Sill. If you have a dad that's dealing with a lot right now, he may appreciate having some color and life around him that's easy to take care of.
8
Vuori
Vuori performance joggers
Guerin also cited Vuori as a favorite brand for athleisure. We found these bestselling under-$100 joggers that offer a moisture-wicking four-way stretch fabric crafted from recycled polyester. Over 8,000 reviewers have awarded these comfy pants a 4.8-star rating.
9
A charging perch that goes over outlets
Promising review: "If you have gizmos that need to perch near their outlet (hubs for smartlights, voice assistants, electric toothbrushes, or shavers), then this is a great product that elevates these items off the countertop or floor. Installation is easy; the two pieces slide together, you remove the existing outlet cover, and then the new outlet panel provides the holding power for the shelf. If the plugs you have for your devices aren't oversized squares or don't need to share the outlet with a Wi-Fi booster, then this product is 5 stars. I had a Wi-Fi booster that had to share the outlet with an oversized plug and it's a little snug but they fit!" — 2Lilac2
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10
Amazon
The largest coffee thermos you can find
That same friend said his dad asked for a coffee thermos, but explicitly wants something huge and non-fussy. Bubba cups are a time-honored classic that will hold close to the whole pot of coffee and are nearly impossible to break.
11
Quince
Cashmere socks
Uribe's dad is also asking for cashmere socks to keep his feet warm this winter. They're a little more indulgent that a basic crew sock and can make for a great present.
12
Nakie
A Nakie outdoor hammock
Pasch's fiancé is also asking for a Nakie outdoor hammock, which comes with all the tools you need to hang it and can hold close to 500 pounds, so all the kiddos can safely pile on.
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13
L.L. Bean
Under-layers for winter sports
Speaking of skiing, my dad also asked for new turtlenecks to wear as a base layer. He is partial to the L.L. Bean "unshrinkable" long sleeves that keep their shape over time and last for years.
14
Amazon
A Hamilton Beach food processor
Shopping manager editor Emily Ruane's brother-in-law, Matt M., is a dad to a 5- and 2-year-old. This year, he's asking for a Hamilton Beach food processor that was recommended in one of his favorite cookbooks. "My sister has it and loves it,” he added.
15
Amazon
Durable workwear
Shopping writer Tessa Flores says her unbelievably cool dad, Eliazar Flores, is asking for Carhartt relaxed-fit duck cotton overalls with elastic suspenders for the second year in a row. "I like how durable they are and that I don't have to wear a belt with them like I do with regular pants," he previously told HuffPost.
If your dad spends a lot of time working outdoors or just likes the workwear style, he'll get a lot of use out of these versatile overalls.
If your dad spends a lot of time working outdoors or just likes the workwear style, he'll get a lot of use out of these versatile overalls.
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16
Amazon
A delicious condiment that goes with everything
Promising review: "When I accidentally discovered Mike's Hot Honey, I thought it was going to be another one of those spur of the moment impulsive buys that would sit on the pantry shelf until it met its demise into the trash can... BUT... This one will clearly be a staple on most of my family's food. Even the kids loved it. I don't know who you are, Mike, but thank you for creating this wonder Hot Honey!" — Bijou's Collectibles
17
Amazon
A pickleball starter kit
My friend Rosie Carlson's father is adding more activity into his life and wants to get started with pickleball lessons. Surely he'll need a set of paddles and some other starter equipment to get into the game.
18
Quince
A cashmere Henley
Another go-to dad item? A Henley. Uribe's brother Juan Uribe — a brand-new dad — is asking for this super chic cashmere Henely from Quince. It's an elevated take on a beloved, casual silhouette and will pair well with jeans or slacks.
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19
Amazon
A John Boos reversible cutting board
Alex McCrery, co-founder of hospitality workwear brand Tilit, wants to upgrade his cutting board. It's a great universal gift for any dad who's into cooking or home design.
"As a former full-time chef and now chef to two little girls, one of the things I’ve been eyeing is a chunky cutting board upgrade like Boos butcher blocks," McCrery told HuffPost.
"As a former full-time chef and now chef to two little girls, one of the things I’ve been eyeing is a chunky cutting board upgrade like Boos butcher blocks," McCrery told HuffPost.
20
J. Crew
A cashmere sweater
It wouldn't be a dad gift guide is there wasn't a mention of a nice new sweater. No less than six of my friends said their dads ask for sweaters every winter, with one saying, "Dads are bad at buying their own." HuffPost senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe's dad Fernando Uribe runs cold, and this year (like every other year) is asking for a nice cashmere sweater like this one from J.Crew.
21
Amazon
Merch from a cause you (or he) supports
My dad really melted my heart when he said he'd love some merch from Savage Sisters, the harm reduction organization that I volunteer with or general "gear that supports good causes.” It's kind of the adult version of gifting a project from art class, where your dad can be proud of you and feel included. I love this shirt supporting the Fort Greene community fridge and also love how easy it is to find great merch that supports good causes on Bonfire.
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22
Amazon
A Carhartt pocket tee
Ruane's husband Chris Grosso, a father of two little girls, always asks for the classic Carhartt pocket tee, a closet staple for over a decade. "His shirts get more wear and tear these days, cooking for and taking care of two little kids, so I think he'll be delighted to unwrap a few new ones," she said.
23
Amazon
Low-rise socks
My dad asked for lower-rise socks he can wear with sneakers or running shoes when he's on the go. If your dad is also a Virgo king who organizes his grocery lists by what aisle things are in, he also may love an uber-practical present like this one.
24
Bookshop.org
A good book (or a gift card to a local bookstore)
My dad — as well as many of my friends' dads — are asking for "good books," which means something different to everyone. If you've got a music-loving dad that's into oral history, he'd probably love Jonathan Abrams' 2022 release on the origin of hip-hop. But you can never go wrong with a Bookshop.org gift card that lets them shop online while supporting local bookstores.
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25
Blundstone
A fun spin on a classic
Ruane's friend Mary Guerin knows her husband Mike, a dad to two school-age kids, wants a new pair of everyday boots. In searching for something classic but with an unexpected element, she found and loves these red elastic Blundstone boots (which I also own) that are durable and sporty while still being fun.
26
Framebridge
A gift card for online or in-person framing
A genius suggestion that we’re totally stealing for everyone on our lists this year, Guerin also asked for a gift card to Framebridge, a startup that specializes in both mail-order and in-person framing. (There are a number of locations throughout major cities on the Eastern seaboard.) The brand’s website is overflowing with inspiration, and they also offer design services.