We don’t know about you, but it always feels like the men in our lives are harder to shop for than women. With Father’s Day coming up, we want them to feel loved and appreciated, but picking out a gift (that they’ll actually use!) feels tricky.
We recently read a fascinating survey by YouGov that surveyed fathers in the United States about what they would like to do or receive for Father’s Day, and we found the answers fascinating! Based on this survey, we created a gift guide that’ll help you simplify your Father’s Day shopping, whether you’re buying for your husband, dad, uncle, or another special dad in your life.
What Do Dads Actually Want for Father’s Day?
Enjoying A Meal At Home
A staggering 42% of fathers said they would love a meal at home. Depending on the father, this may look like burgers on the grill, his favorite tacos, or a picnic outside.
Here are a few ideas for making this gift even sweeter:
- Plan a menu based on their favorites (or ask them directly what they’d like)
- Think about some side dishes that’d complement their entree (we adore this dill potato salad recipe)
- Stock up on a smoked salt or spice blend to save time when cooking.
- Cold brew his favorite tea for a thirst-quenching treat on a hot day.
- Don’t forget dessert!
Learn about some delicious no-cook meals in our previous article and how to add some zest to them to make your Father’s Day meal really hit the spot!
A Movie Night
About one in five dads say they would love to spend some time on their own as a gift. For some, this looked like doing nothing, but 24% said they would love to watch movies or TV, preferably without having to fight for the remote!
Give him a fantastic experience with a thoughtful movie night basket containing:
- A DVD or gift card to his favorite movie streaming service
- His favorite snacks or candy
- A beloved beverage
- Popcorn and popcorn seasoning to take things up a notch (our Cheddar Cheese Popcorn Seasoning is to die for!)
Time with Their Children
58% of fathers surveyed wanted to spend time with their children, which we love! For the fathers out there who want time with their kids, think about an activity that everyone can do together and make it as stress-free for dad as possible so he can soak up the experience.
A few ideas for family time:
- A game night
- Backyard picnic
- Mini golfing or something sporty
- Family video game tournament
- Roast s’mores around a fire pit or campfire
- Outdoor movie night
- Pool time
- Camping
- Dinner out as a family
- Go to a festival, museum, or other experience together
- Bike ride and ice cream
Time Alone, With Friends, or Doing An Activity They Love
Some dads, especially those with young children, just want a few hours alone on Father’s Day. Give the dad in your life a break this Father’s Day by taking the kids for a few hours, so he can spend some time with friends, playing a game, or going on a solo hike.
Here are a few gifts that may pair well with his interests or hobbies.
For Hiking Enthusiasts or Athletes
If he loves hiking, the outdoors, or hitting the gym, consider these practical gifts:
- Natural Bug Spray: Nothing ruins a great hike like coming home and finding itchy bug bites up and down your legs. Our natural spray uses catnip essential oil, which is said to be as effective as DEET!
- Bug Away Soap: This minty, lemon-eucalyptus soap smells wonderful and protects against stinging and biting insects when you’re out and about.
- Power Surge Cooling Mist: For those going out in high temperatures, we recommend our Power Surge Cooling Mist, which quickly creates a cooling, tingling sensation to help beat the heat. Spray this on the back of the neck and chest for the best results.
- Muscle Balm: Whether he’s struggling with stiffness, muscle spasms, or soreness, this balm is perfect. Massage this balm into the muscle to support the release of toxins and reduce discomfort. We recommend using this after the gym, a hike, playing sports, or anytime he feels stiff or run down.
For The Cook
Whether the father in your life enjoys grilling or fancy fare, these spices are sure to take his hobby to the next level.
- Steak Grilling Seasoning or Chicken Grilling Seasoning: For the man who loves grilling, these are perfect, go-to spice blends that pack a lot of flavor. Create robust flavors quickly with these exciting spice blends. Our Burger Blend Seasoning is another scrumptious option for the burger lovers in your life.
- Hickory Smoked Salt: A must-have for any home cook’s arsenal! This culinary gem captures the smoky flavor of outdoor grilling.
- Chili Spice Blend: Does he love bold, vibrant, fiery flavors? This earthy, but aromatic spice blend creates fantastic flavor in chilis, Mexican, or Tex-Mex dishes.
- Buttery Herb Rub: This delightful rub combines rich, buttery notes with herbaceous rosemary and thyme—perfect for grilling, roasting, or pan-searing.
- Garlic ‘n Herb Seasoning: An essential staple for any cook! Our Garlic ‘n Herb Seasoning is the perfect blend of garlic, pepper, green onion, lemon peel, sesame seed, and citric acid, with no added salt for anyone who may be watching their sodium levels.
We hope this guide gives you plenty of inspiration for Father’s Day gift ideas! We know it can be challenging to know what to buy for the man who seemingly has it all.
Happy Father’s Day!
Herbalist Natalie
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Natalie Hajdu-Voakes is a consulting herbalist and the owner of The Herb Stop, with over 28 years of hands-on experience in crafting herbal remedies and promoting natural wellness. |