28 Fancy Father's Day Gifts That Are Surprisingly Inexpensive
Mad Men-inspired playing cards, nautical whiskey stones, canvas backpacks, and other fancy gifts for dad that won't cost you a fortune.
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1. A pair of ship bookends to prove that you're the mast-er at gift giving.
These bookends are hand-painted.
Promising review: "One of my favorite decorative items — LOVE! Looks more expensive than it really is. You can't buy better bookends." —Wesley
Get them from Wayfair for $37.99.
2. A minimalistic watch with a leather strap he can wear every single day.
3. A golden compass to thank your old man for guiding you in the right direction.
You can have initials or a personal message engraved on the compass.
Get it from TealsPrairie on Etsy for $19.99+.
4. A set of nautical whiskey stones because your pa can always keep you anchored when the waters get rough.
These whiskey stones are made of recycled soapstone and can chill drinks without diluting them. They're dishwasher-safe and non-porous so they won't absorb any tastes or flavors.
Promising review: "Use anytime you don't want watered down hard liquor. Perfect size for a glass, not too heavy, keeps cold, great designs." —Hannah Jo
Get a set of three from Uncommongoods for $14.95.
5. A pack of Mad Men-inspired playing cards that'll bring 1960's flair to poker night.
6. A sturdy canvas backpack he can use for his daily commute as well as weekend hikes.
Promising review: "I've been trying to find a good canvas backpack that is good for day-to-day commuting to work, and this bag is perfect. It sits comfortably on your back, so you can bike without it sagging. The material is strong, as is the stitching, and the zippers are also good quality. I've tried so many other brands, and I am honestly in love with this bag. I personally also love that the straps have mesh material (to wick away any sweat) and that there are so many pockets. Would highly recommend for a day-to-day work backpack." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in 18 styles).
7. A Birchbox Man subscription to help dad branch out and try some new grooming products.
He'll get five curated samples each month.
Get a subscription from BirchBoxMan for $10/month.
8. A mini wooden music box because your dad ~kenobi~ a bigger fan of Star Wars.
Promising review: "This is so well-made, and my boyfriend absolutely loved it! He loves Star Wars and is a sucker for neat little novelties, so this was perfect! He picks it up and plays it at least once a day, just like a kid with his favorite toy!" —Kristin Martin
Get it from EnjoyTheWood on Etsy for $26.24.
9. A portable grill that can pack up into a sleek and compact suitcase for spontaneous BBQ sessions.
This stainless steel grill measures 12.4"x3.4"x6.5".
Get it from ThinkGeek for $21.99.
10. A log cabin incense kit so he can get a dose of aromatherapy after a long day.
This set comes with 20 natural wood pinon-scented incense bricks with a cabin-shaped incense holder.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $9.
11. A leather-bound classic he'll never get tired of reading. Bad presents? Nevermore.
Promising review: "This collection of stories is perfect. I have bought 19 of the Canterbury Classics' leather-bound books. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL! The quality is incomparable. The acid-free paper. The gold gilded page edges are lovely to look at and a joy to turn. They all have a built-in ribbon bookmark. My 2018 resolution was to start my home library, compiling the classics first. These are must-have classics for anyone who genuinely loves books." —Mr. Watson
Get it from Amazon for $19.61.
12. An oak wood charging stand for holding all of dad's daily essentials.
You can get it personalized for an additional fee.
Promising review: "Love this product! Purchased for my husband since he has multiple devices and accessories. It was the best kind of gift. He said, it's 'the kind you didn’t even know you needed but now you can’t live without!' He loves the convenience of having all of his items close on a stand that looks so sleek and modern. Great turnaround time and speedy delivery!" —Amanda Trentham
Get it from PaybacksABeach on Etsy for $35+.
13. An aroma-enhancing spirits glass designed to prevent nose burn from alcohol vapors so he can fully enjoy the nuanced flavors of his fave drink.
It's designed for drinking alcohol spirits neat, not for iced or mixed drinks.
Promising review: "I took a chance on these glasses as a Christmas present for my hard-to-please husband. We are both very happy with them. They make a good bottle of scotch even more special. The wide rim encourages sipping and savoring. We used to drink our scotch out of brandy snifters and liqueur glasses, but it is very nice to have a dedicated glass for our favorite treat." —JLC
Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.95.
14. An action camera with a waterproof case so dad doesn't have to shell out the big bucks for a GoPro.
Promising review: "We bought this specifically for a trip we had planned to Santa Catalina Island. While cruising to the island, we encountered a pod of at least one hundred common dolphins which swam and played in our bow wake for about half an hour. I set the camera to flip the image, hooked it to a monopod and held the camera underwater just behind the dolphins. The movies were amazing. They were crisp and clear and we all agreed were as beautiful as the ones our hosts had taken with their new $300 name-brand sports camera. Once we got to the island, we swam in the dive area in front of the casino while feeding the local fish. Again, the camera performed underwater flawlessly, and the footage was great. We would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone, and neither will our friends with the much higher priced setup!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two colors).
15. A personalized acacia and slate cheese board (with four utensils) — such a ~gouda~ gift.
It measures 8.25" in diameter and 1.25" in height. The utensils can be stored inside the board. in You can personalize the message.
Get it from Hayneedle for $33.
16. A Millennium Falcon reading light he won't be able to keep his ~Han~ off.
It has an automatic timer that shuts off after 30 minutes to preserve battery.
Get it from ThinkGeek for $3.99.
17. A print of Frasier's upscale Seattle apartment that'll remind him to revisit some of his favorite episodes.
This matte-finish print measures 10.5”x13” (including white border).
Get it from BeautifulPeaceShop on Etsy for $14.43.
18. A weekend grooming kit for the dapper dad who's always on the go.
19. A luxe leather card holder to replace his tattered old wallet.
These hand-stitched card holders can be machine stamped with either a gold or plain embossed finish. They're lined with woolen fabric.
Get it from ParkinandLewis on Etsy for $18.71.
20. A pair of ice pop socks for your very chill dad.
Get this pair from Say It With A Sock for $2.99. Or, gift dad a sock subscription for $11.99/month.
Get 10% off your purchase with the code BUZZFEED-DAD.
21. A pair of stylish leather sandals he can wear on vacation or just to take out the trash.
22. A set of glass coasters to personalize by inserting photos of you and you pop.
23. A pair of gold Superman cufflinks because your dad is always there to save the day.
They come in a gift box.
Get them from ThinkGeek for $6.99.
24. A faux-leather flask with a thought-provoking Mark Twain quote he'll ~gin-uinely~ cherish.
Get it from BoxLunch for $13.93.
25. A vinyl record subscription for old-school dads who don't believe in Spotify.
Each box comes with an exclusive limited-edition LP, unique artwork, and listening notes from artists.
Promising review: "I've been a member of Magnolia Record Club for a few years now, and I've never been disappointed. Unique and exclusive vinyl record selections curated by artists I respect. They have a skip/replace option in case you're not interested in the selection, but I've never had to use it. A+ records every time. If you appreciate vinyl records, this is a great way to grow your collection." —Chris
Get it from Cratejoy for 26.99+/month.
26. An elegant rolling glass decanter — it will definitely get the pre-dinner party conversation started because it seems to defy the laws of gravity.
27. A spiffy shaving kit to make getting ready in the morning feel a little fancier.
This set includes a razor with blades imported from Germany and a shaving cream.
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $20 (available in two colors).
28. A genealogy poster you and your dad can fill in together and then hang up as a unique piece of wall art.
There's room for six generations on this poster.
Promising review: "Got these for our parents and filled them out to give at Christmas. Had the local frame shop frame them up nicely with a back that opened so we could edit as time passed as needed. They were totally thrilled, as was I. This was a terrific gift and one that will be treasured for generations." —Wendy
Get a two-pack from Amazon handmade for $22.35.
Your dad's face when he opens your gift:
Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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