55 practical and unique gifts for Dad

We've got affordable gifts under $50 for every sort of dad, from the hapless car-key-losing fool to the history buff.
After more ideas and inspiration? Check out all of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides for 2019.

Whether you're looking to rag on Dad or show him all the love and kindness in the world (which are really one in the same, right?), we've got affordable gift ideas for budgets under $50 for every sort of dad, from the hapless car-key-losing fool to the history buff and the masterful (and not-so-masterful) home chef.

Whatever it is that Dad's into, something below is bound to make him smile, laugh, cry, or, hopefully, all of the above. You've been a pain and a nuisance all along — why change now?

The top 5 best gifts for dad under $50

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our gift guides in one place.

See more under-$50 gifts for dad below:

A sleek, eco-friendly lunch box

GreenLunch Bento 3-in-1 Bento Lunch Box, available at Amazon, $29.89

Don't send dad off to work (or school, as the case may be) with a brown bag. If you think it's embarrassing for you, it's definitely embarrassing for him.

A copper waiter's key

Wine Waiters Corkscrew, available at Williams Sonoma, $39.95

A nice piece for the bar to replace that ratty old plastic thing he stole from Holiday Inn before you were born and life was good.

A 3-month Amazon Prime membership

Amazon Prime membership, available at Amazon, 3 months for $39

He'll pick up on it. Just get him started.

An Amazon smart plug

Amazon Smart Plug, available at Amazon, $24.99

If the thought of talking to Alexa blew his mind, wait till he starts using these.

A coffee table book-ode to American whiskey

"The Art of American Whiskey," available at Amazon, $18.25

Whether or not dad's a drinker, there's some deep-seated American history in Rothbaum's collection that no one can deny.

An Anthony Bourdain cookbook illustrated by Ralph Steadman

"Appetites: A Cookbook," available on Amazon, $25.99

Because, according to both Jacques Pepin and this book's late author, no grown man should ever go without knowing how to cook an omelet.

An avocado tree starter set

Avocado Tree Starter Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $20

Setting these up will be almost as enjoyable as the fruits of his labor. And while it may take a while to yield, everybody wins with this gift.

The story of Bacardi, and the fight for Cuba

Bacardi: The Long Fight for Cuba, available at Amazon, $13.74

History and rum. What more intrigue does a dad need?

A folding bamboo laptop desk

Winsome Alden Lap Desk with Flip Top in Walnut Finish, $19.59

Or a breakfast-in-bed tray, as he likes.

A Disney+ subscription

Subscribe for $6.99/month or $69.99/year

It gives you unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox, and costs just $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year after a free seven-day trial. Read everything there is to know about Disney+ over here.

And if you need some binge-spiration, here are all the new movies available to stream.

A set of beard oils

Grave Before Shave Beard Oil 4 Pack, available at Amazon, $37.99

Stop letting dad go out with that scraggly Jeremiah Johnson beard and get him some beard oil and balm to shape it up a little.

A chiller to keep his beer cold

Chillsner, available at UncommonGoods, $16.95

The stainless steel Chillsner fits easily into the bottle and keeps beverages refreshingly crisp.

A bristle-free grill brush

Bristle Free Grill Brush, available at Uncommon Goods, $17

If this won't get him to clean the grill, nothing will.

A carry-on cocktail kit to take the edge off the flight

The Carry On Cocktail Kit: The Old Fashioned, available at w&p, $24

Dad's sick of the same old scotch and soda he drinks on his red eyes. Help him change it up a bit.

A pillow just for naps

Casper Nap Pillow, available at Casper, $35

What's more precious to dad than his naps? Well, besides you...

A durable pizza stone

Emile Henry Pizza Stone, available at Williams Sonoma, $49.95

If he's using a baking sheet — or worse, nothing but tin foil — to make pizzas, there's no need to discuss it: It's time for a change.

A chambray and leather apron

Chambray Grey Apron, available at Crate & Barrel, $29.95

No more bacon grease stains on his favorite football jersey.

A comb for life

Chicago Comb Model No. 1, available at Smallflower, $9.95

This will likely outlast his hair, but when it does, he'll look at it as a fond memory of his long-lost locks — of which, he'll dare not let you forget, you singlehandedly stripped him during your formative years.

A cooler cup

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Cooler Cup, available at Hydro Flask, $18.71

One part beer koozie (fits a 12-oz., longneck, or tallboy), one part coffee mug, this will keep his beverage plenty hot or cold, wherever he may roam.

A multi-tool utility bracelet

Men's Utility Bracelet, available at Uncommon Goods, $40

Remind him that he is handy, and he can fix things.

An Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo Dot, available at Amazon, $22

Richer and louder than ever before, the Echo Dot is maturing with a softer look and feel, just like — no, on second thought, he might not humor that one.

All-natural foot and shoe powder

Foot Sense Foot and Shoe Powder, available at Amazon, $13.78

A not-so-subtle gift for the whole family, but if there's ever a time to let dad know that his feet stink to high heaven, it's the holiday season.

A custom graphic map of his favorite city

Custom Map Poster, available at Grafomap, starting at $49

You can make one of your dad's hometown, his college town, his favorite travel destination, or the place where he got engaged or married — you're only limited by your imagination.

A guitar pick punch

Pick Punch, available at Uncommon Goods, $25

If dad doesn't already play the guitar, it's time. There is no instrument more "dad" than the ax. But, just as he loses his keys, he'll constantly find himself in want of a pick. Make no mistake, this little tool will save him a few bucks over the years. Old gift cards and credit cards are fair game, but beware: so is your fake ID.

A handmade wooden back massager

Handmade Wooden Rope Back Massager, available at Uncommon Goods, $24

Dad could always use a massage, but this is for those times when no one is in the mood to give him one.

A Himalayan salt stone

Charcoal Companion Himalayan Salt Plate with Recipe Book, available at Amazon, $49.44

Heavy salting and charring might not be the best thing for dear old dad's body, but it is simply rhapsodic to his soul.

Himalayan salt tequila glasses

Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses, available at Uncommon Goods, four for $28

More salt? Yes, we know. But if dad is anything of a tequila drinker, we're sure there's no better vessel from which to send (or sip) it down his gullet than these hand-carved salt glasses.

A kit to make his own hot sauce

Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $35

Help dad ditch the Cholula and sriracha and tap into his creative side. Even if you've never seen it, it's there. We promise.

A hot toddy spice kit

Hot Toddy Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $38

If he's being a Grinch or a Scrooge, nothing will put him in the holiday spirit faster (just don't forget to add the booze).

An exfoliating coffee scrub

Brooklyn Botany Arabica Coffee Scrub, available at Amazon, $13.98

Whether or not your father's blackheads are shaping into braille, this scrub will leave his skin soft and smooth. As for that stubbly five o'clock shadow? Have a look at one of our shaving kits.

A shaving kit with a badger hair brush and a thick ceramic soap mug

GBS Premium Men's Wet Grooming Shaving Set, available at Amazon, $29.95

Banish the electric razor from your house by reminding your dad how lovely it is to shave with a real razor, a fine brush, and thick, frothy soap from a mug.

Also, check out our buying guide to the best shaving supplies here.

An assortment of liquor and beer nuts

Beer & Bourbon Nuts, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

Because no dad should ever be left with beer or bourbon and no nuts.

All-American seasonings and rubs

Mount Rubsmore, available at Man Crates, $29.99

If dad's a grilling fiend, he'll love this. Check out other options from Man Crates here.

A classic French shellfish shucking tool

Opinel Shucking Tool #9, available at Amazon, $20

There may be no other single gizmo that will make dad feel more like a man than a shucking tool. A classic design that hasn't changed in, like, forever, Opinel has been making knives of all shapes and sizes for almost 130 years. This shucking tool is an all-in-one that can handle oysters and clams.

For an oyster-specific knife, my personal favorite from spending a few months behind an oyster bar is the Dexter New Haven Blade that's available on Amazon for $12.72.

Adjustable silicone bands for organizing

Packbands Adjustable Straps, available at eBay, six-pack for $34.95

A solution to anything and everything from organizing tools and loose wires to poorly packed suitcases.

A pizza stone

Heritage Black Ceramic Pizza Stone and Pizza Cutter Wheel, available at Amazon, $37.99

For making delicious homemade pizza — or, more realistically, reviving delivery leftovers.

A folding multitool for his inner chef

A Chef's Portable Multi-Tool, available at Uncommon Goods, $32

His campfire meals can only improve with this thing along for the trip.

A refreshing aftershave

Proraso After Shave Lotion, available at Amazon, $14

Help dad feel fresh and clean. He's getting old. Also, check out our buying guide to the best shaving supplies here.

A cheese making kit

DIY Mozzarella/Ricotta Cheese-Making Kit, available at Williams Sonoma, $29.95

Dad deserves artisanal mozzarella and ricotta made with love, even if he has to make it himself.

A cool way to enjoy whiskey

Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge, available at Amazon, $17.95

Skip the whiskey stones this year and get this eye-catching conversation starter instead.

An illustrated book on sushi

"Sushi: Jiro Gastronomy," available at Amazon, $9.99

Inspiration for dad in the kitchen, or maybe just sushi smut.

A key finder

Tile Mate Key Finder, available at Target, $14.99

A compact key tracker for your hapless car-key-losing fool of a dad is honestly a really thoughtful and practical gift.

A money clip full of tools

SmartRSQ 37-in-1 Wallet Multitool Card, available at Amazon, $19.99

If dad's a tool guy, he can't possibly not appreciate having one of these on him at all times. If he isn't, and if he never even uses the thing, it'll at the very least make him feel like he's MacGuyver.

Bison-down trail socks

United By Blue Bison Wool Socks, available at United By Blue, $38

Socks might seem boring to you now, but wait till you're a dad. Socks like these will be worth their weight in gold.

A nearly indestructible fishing rod

Ugly Stik Elite Fishing Rod, available at Amazon, $49.95

If dad's the kind of guy who breaks things (aren't all dads?), this is the fishing rod for him.

A set of Waterford whisky glasses

Marquis by Waterford Double Old Fashioned Glasses, available at Amazon, four for $27.21

Your dad's a classy guy, and even if he's not, he should be drinking from crystal — if not platinum — by now, if for no other reason than all the years he's had to put up with you.

A pair of durable stainless steel pint glasses that keep drinks cold for hours

YETI Rambler Stackable Stainless Steel Pint Glasses, available at YETI, 2 for $49.99

More things he can't possibly break or kill.

A sandalwood-scented starter shaving set

The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Starter Kit, available at The Art of Shaving, $30

In case you've been looking for a way to let dad know that it's time to shave that patchy, salt-and-pepper-colored thing that is growing on his face.

An outdoor fondue set

Fondue for Two, available at Uncommon Goods, $30

For "rugged" weekends in the great outdoors.

A huge custom cardboard cutout of your lovely face

3-Foot Cardboard Face Cutout, available at Amazon, $44.99

Lest he forgets his one and only pride and joy.

A hair-growth supplement with biotin

Good Guy Hair Growth Supplement with Biotin, available at Amazon, $12.98

You've cost him enough hair as it is. Help him save whatever he's got left, and appease his sweet tooth along the way.

A shiitake mushroom log kit

Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit, $30

Protein on a log? What's not to love? A harvest every six weeks for up to three years means you'll probably be reaping the benefits at some point, too. Consider this an investment piece, just like you.

A book to make your awesome dad even more awesome

This Is The Book to Give Your Dad: Everything an Awesome Father Wants to Know, available at Amazon, $12.76

Not that he needs it.

A life-proof wet/dry electric shaver and trimmer

Wahl LifeProof Wet/Dry Electric Shaver, available at Amazon, $41.42

Whether Dad's often running late and trying to cop a quick electric trim or shave with a wet face, or he's just downright rough on things, he should get some mileage out of this one.

Coasters made from reclaimed records

Upcycled Record Coasters, available at Uncommon Goods, $18

Remind him that vinyl will never go out of style, and neither will he.