36 Best Gifts for the Dad Who Wants Nothing in 2023

This soothing SELF Fave massager is a treat for the neck and shoulders—in fact, you’ll probably want to steal it from your dad. It has eight deep-kneading nodes to help undo knots, and it’s heated for extra relief.

A perfect gift for the parent who lives far away, this digital photo frame displays whatever pictures you send it from your phone or computer, so you can remotely surprise them with new (or old) moments.

Maybe your dad is trying to hone his cooking skills, or perhaps he’d just like to try interesting recipes without splurging on full-size jars of spices he may only use once. SELF Certified meal-kit delivery service Home Chef includes portioned-out ingredients and cooking instructions, so he can whip up new dishes without the expensive grocery haul.

Cost: Meals start at $10 per serving. The weekly order minimum is $50.

Your dad’s feet will stay warm—but not sweaty—with these sock-slipper hybrids. They have a cozy blanket-like lining and rubber grips on the bottom to prevent sliding.

Available in sizes M to XL.

If your dad is a total bookworm, upgrade his go-to paperback with the e-reader that even die-hard book loyalists love: the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. The tablet display is designed to look like an actual page (i.e. no annoying glare), and your dad can choose his own lineup of thrillers or memoirs.

This History by Mail subscription is a no-brainer for any dad who spends vacations checking out every museum and landmark. Every month, he’ll receive a detailed replica of a historical document (plus an explainer with relevant context), like the correspondence between Albert Einstein and FDR.

Cost: A 6-month subscription costs $40, and a 12-month subscription costs $76.

For the outdoorsy, adventurous type, might we recommend this SELF Outdoor Award–winning backpack? Our commerce writer recommends it too, noting that it’s durable, water-resistant, and packed with pockets.

Is your dad an iced-coffee-year-round person? Or more of a hot tea superfan? Either way, he can get use out of this Stanley thermos that claims to keep drinks hot for seven hours or cold for 10.

Everyone deals with soreness or tightness from time to time, which is why a foam roller can come in handy. This one from Trigger Point has grooves that’ll massage muscles more intensely than a smooth foam roller, to give your dad extra relief.

Your dad will feel like he traveled abroad with this SELF Fave subscription box of sweet and savory snacks made by local Japanese makers. It includes treats like mochi, rice crackers, tea, and more.

Cost: A one-month subscription costs $65, three months cost $138, six months cost $264, and one year costs $480.

If your dad constantly misplaces his glasses, he’ll appreciate this nifty tool that magnetically attaches them to his shirt pocket.

Take your dad’s bartending skills to the next level with this cocktail set, which instantly creates a smoke-infused version of his go-to spirits (and is fun to use).

This half-zip sweatshirt from Lululemon is both cozy and sleek-looking, so he can wear it lounging around the house or when he wants to feel stylish. It comes in several neutral colors to match anything in your dad’s closet.

Let him pretend that he’s Stanley Tucci for a night by gifting him this stainless steel pasta maker. Made in Italy, it will help him roll and cut dough into yummy fresh pasta noodles, and make like lasagna, fettuccine, and tagliolini. Pair it with a fancy pesto or red sauce and dinner is served.

Acknowledge the importance of a special date, like his birthday, with a hardbound book of New York Times front pages from that day each year.

One SELF editor said that this quilted weighted blanket (which has a plushy side for warmth and a cooling cotton side) is a godsend at the end of a stressful day. It’s “soft, versatile, easy to keep clean, and very, very effective at delivering on the promise of cocooning you away from the world under a solid mass of coziness,” she wrote in her review. And did we mention it’s machine washable?

If your dad misses his gardening time during winter, or if he’s a self-proclaimed chef, he’ll likely appreciate this indoor garden. It has space for six plants, and he can grow a variety of herbs and veggies all year round.

A MasterClass gift card will go a long way with the dad who prioritizes experiences and activities over material stuff. The company offers a wide range of virtual lessons and activities led by famous figures, including storytelling with LeVar Burton and conservation lessons from Jane Goodall.

Cost: An individual account costs $10 per month.

Not only can this clever device charge your dad’s phone, but it also simultaneously acts as a hard drive to back up his contacts and photos (a plus for any father who hasn’t exactly mastered the cloud).

If your dad is an avid traveler, gift him this plane-ready Ostrichpillow. It’ll prop up his head and chin with cushy memory foam, so he won’t wind up with neck pain after an in-flight nap.

You can turn your dad into a barista if you give him the right tools. This De’Longhi espresso machine can whip up yummy cappuccinos, lattes, and americanos with its espresso filter and milk frother.

This Parachute robe is the perfect loungewear piece because it has a plush feel that’ll keep your dad warm and cozy. Plus, its Turkish cotton material is quick-drying, so he can comfortably throw it on after a shower.

Your dad might want to whip up restaurant-ready meals as soon as he opens this box of sauce starter packets from SELF Pantry Award–winning Asian spice brand Omsom. Inside, he’ll find delicious flavors like spicy bulgogi, larb, and lemongrass BBQ sauce.

If you have a dad who often misplaces his keys and wallet, then the Apple AirTag could be a useful gift. Your dad can put one of the Bluetooth-enabled tags in his luggage or on a keychain, and pull up its location on his iPhone or iPad whenever he can’t locate his essentials.

Place this Roundfire ashless mini fire pit on a table to create a little ambiance and warmth, inside or outside. Plus, you and your dad can roast marshmallows from the comfort of your couch with this mini fireplace.

This waterproof Bluetooth speaker is perfect for hikes, beach days, backyard hangs, or listening to podcasts while in the shower. The small, lightweight speaker clips onto a backpack or belt and gets up to 10 hours of playtime per charge.

Any dad who loves a good wine tasting will enjoy this Bright Cellars subscription, which lets him sip selections from around the world. After he takes a short quiz about his vino preferences, bottles will start shipping right to his door—and he can rate each one to help better curate future boxes.

Cost: Gift cards start at $100 and a subscription starts at $45 for 4 bottles of wine.

Help him get some quality shut-eye with this soft weighted eye mask that one SELF editor swears by for power naps. By contouring to the face, it fits more comfortably and blocks out light to help him fall asleep faster.

Olive oil is an ingredient many of us use every day, so it could be nice to give your dad a tasty, quality version to reach for. This Graza set includes Drizzle (a finishing oil that’s meant to add a bold flavor to your cooked food) and Sizzle (a mellow-flavored counterpart you can use to cook up veggies).

Your dad can make use of his green thumb with this plant terrarium, which he can use to grow succulents, mosses, ferns, orchids, and more. Not only is it a hobby he can tend to, but the terrarium acts as a pretty decor piece.

Does your dad drop a “that’s what she said” joke in every other conversation, or dream of desserts he saw on The Great British Bake-Off? Make his day with a custom video message from an actor on The Office, a contestant on GBBO, or another beloved celeb or athlete via the SELF Fave platform Cameo.

Cost: Varies. Prices start as low as $1.

If your dad loves a good challenge, grab him an artful 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, like this one with cool Italian coast vibes.

Some dads are so full of stories—and yet refuse to write them down. With this gift, an interviewer speaks with your dad virtually and turns his memories into a 20-minute audio keepsake.

Cost: Gift cards can be purchased per episode, from one to six. One-episode gift cards cost $149 and you can save 10% when you buy two episodes or more.

With a subscription to SELF Fave Atlas Coffee Club, you can take your dad on a coffee tour around the world without leaving the house. He can expect yummy brews from places like Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Cost: Gift subscriptions are available in 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month packs, starting at $60.