Father's Day isn't too far away, and that means it is time to figure out the perfect gift that says "I love you, I like you, and thank you for being an amazing dad." (And let's hope that any dad worth buying a gift for is living up to that amazing label!)
Now, for some dads, maybe a tie is the perfect way to say all those things, but it'd probably have to be a pretty freaking amazing tie! For more inspiration, we talked to 20 moms who have totally nailed the Father's Day gift thing and had them reveal the sweet, practical, and even surprising gifts that totally knocked the socks off each husband. And, yes, the list does include at least one tie!
Baby-Wearing Gear
"My husband was (and is) so obsessed with our baby boy. He really wanted to be able to wear the baby but didn't love the wrap that I used. So for his first Father's Day, I got him a dad-friendly baby carrier thing so he could tote his little buddy everywhere with him. He loved it!" — Jane P., Joplin, Missouri
Dad Trip
"I booked a week of beach and fishing time for my husband, my son, and my father-in-law who lives in a different state, which was a really special gift for both my husband and his dad. They went back to the lake they used to fish at when my husband was a kid and just got time to connect." – Marion Y., Rice Lake, Wisconsin
A Whole Baby
"Mine is pretty hard to beat! I went into labor and had our first baby on Father's Day! So he got a whole baby on Father's Day, which seems like a pretty amazing way to join the dad club. This year, I have no idea how to top that! I'm not having any more babies any time soon!" – Jenna R., Oakland, California
Music Time
"My husband loves music and always wanted to learn guitar, but we just got so busy with the kids that neither of us was doing much in the way of hobbies. But I got him a guitar and lessons a few years ago and he actually used them, which I love when I watch him singing with the kids now." – Lori E., Provo, Utah
Personal Training Sessions
"Honestly, the best gift I ever gave him was really a gift to myself. My husband was working crazy hours, eating like crap, always stressed out and I was worried he was going to work himself to death. I got him some personal training sessions that include yoga and Pilates stuff, so he'd be forced to slow down and do some stress relief. He ended up loving it and has kept with it for five years now. I worry about his health a lot less now too." – Ami O., Towson, Maryland
A New Best Friend
"I resisted getting a dog FOR YEARS. With toddler twins and a preschooler, I did not need another thing to take care of, even though my husband promised he'd do all the work. He grew up with dogs and really wanted our kids to have that experience. When I finally gave in as a Father's Day gift, he was over the moon. And, yes, he has done all the work on taking care of our sweet pup." — Betsy T., Lakeville, Minnesota
A Drone
"Do I understand the appeal of flying drones? No. But my husband was grinning like a little kid when I got him one a few years ago. He loves stuff like that, and even if it isn't my jam, the best gifts are the ones that show you get what someone really loves." — Nicki O., Clarksburg, West Virginia
Fancy Tie
"OK, yes, a tie is kind of a cliche! But my husband is pretty bougie and has always wanted a Gucci tie and tie clip so that's what I got him last year. He has barely worn it (thanks pandemic!) but it was still a pretty big hit for my sharp dresser dad." – Alana R., Dallas
A Really Long Walk
"OK – mine is going to be hard to beat! I basically gave my husband the time off from being a dad to fulfill his biggest life dream: hiking the Appalachian Trail. He took almost seven months off to do it with a buddy, and I was basically a single mom during that time. It was major. And he owes me BIG TIME." – Olivia F., Windsor, Ontario
A Great Chair
"Last year I got my husband a really nice, kind of fancy office chair. His back had been killing him since he started working from home, so this was a good investment and a way to show my support for how hard he was (and still is) working to provide for us." – Shelly W., Athens, Georgia
Riding Mower
"I think some of the best gifts are the things that people really want but would never buy for themselves. I knew my husband wanted a riding mower (our yard is kind of massive) but he is way too cheap to buy it himself. So I got it as a Father's Day gift, and now he cuts the grass in style (and way faster)." – Katie B., Roseville, Minnesota
Camping Fantasy
"I agreed to go camping and to fulfill his fantasy of having sex in a tent. I am an indoorsy kind of girl and camping is not my jam, but it was good to be out of my comfort zone to try to enjoy something he really likes. I'll never love it, but it wasn't the worst way to spend a Father's Day, especially since the kids weren't there." – Rachael M., Asheville, North Carolina
Movie Theater
"Last year we were all going kind of stir-crazy from staying home during the pandemic, so I decided to rent out a movie theatre for us and our pod friends for Father's Day. It ended up being really fun and felt like a moment of normal during a weird time." – Lindsay D., St. Paul, Minnesota
Soccer Boy
"I've been firmly in the 'no TV' camp for years, as in I didn't want to have a TV in the house, especially once we had kids. My husband, on the other hand, loves to watch sports on TV, especially soccer. When my son was 5 and joined his first soccer team, he got into it too, so I finally got a TV so they could watch soccer together like buddies." – Maya D., Taos, New Mexico
Man Massage
"I changed my husband's whole world when I got him a gift card for a sports massage for Father's Day. He was training for a half marathon and was always sore but had never thought to get a massage. I found him a guy who works with athletes, and my husband was surprised but ended up loving it and now wants a massage gift card every year." – Brooke D., Scottsdale, Arizona
Sentimental Watch
"For his first Father's Day, I gave my husband a watch that my father had left for him when he passed away. He and my dad were really close, and he didn't know that my father had intended for him to have it once we had a child. It was really special and nice for my husband and dad to have a connection around being a dad, even if my dad didn't get to see it." – Melody S., Overland Park, Kansas
Cooking Classes
"My husband is Italian-American, and he's always wanted to learn how to make pasta from scratch. A few years ago, I signed him up for Italian cooking classes and he loved it! He even ended up making homemade pasta for his parents on the next Father's Day, which was really sweet. And tasty. Very tasty." – Valerie N., Providence, Rhode Island
Family Photos
"I HATE having my picture taken (I don't have low self-esteem, I'm totally cute, I just hate the whole process) but my husband really wanted a nice family picture for his office, so I booked a family photo shoot and sucked it up for a cute Father's Day gift." – Salima B., St. Paul, Minnesota
First Beach Trip
"It wasn't really a gift, more of an experience, but it was probably his favorite Father's Day. My husband loves the ocean and surfing, so we waited until Father's Day to do my son's first beach trip. We did a family picnic and then my husband got to go surfing and have his kid watch him. It was touching." – Fiona D., San Jose, California
Beer of the Month Club
"Look, I'm not going to win any prizes here for creativity, but you really can't go wrong with getting beer. I've been getting my husband and my dad AND my father-in-law beer of the month memberships for the last few years, and they all like it and enjoy comparing notes with each other about it. They have a group chat and text every month when the new beer comes in. It is pretty cute." – Tory W., Fort Myers, Florida
