Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 11 Best Gifts for the Dad Who Wants Nothing for the Holidays

A father happily holding the gift his son gave in the outdoors.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

“No, you don’t have to get me anything for the holidays.”

Such a response from your dad regarding holiday gift ideas can elicit one of two reactions: relief (“Phew, I’m off the hook!”) or frustration (“This isn’t useful, I’d like to buy something!”). If you fall into the latter camp and insist on showing dad how much you love him, it’s high time you give your dad something more thoughtful and practical other than the usual socks or ties. He may not tell you what he wants, but we’re here to help you get something unique for him. Head below for the best gifts for the dad who wants nothing — because in his mind, he already has everything.

Recommended Videos

Food and Drink Gifts for the Dad Who Wants Nothing

Brooklyn Brew Shop Everyday Beer Making Kit

The Brooklyn Brew Shop Everyday Beer Making Kit on white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Has dad ever attempted to make his own microbrew? If not, this kit from the Brooklyn Brew Shop is perfect for beginners. It comes with a beer-making mixture, a 1-gallon reusable glass fermenter, a few necessary tools, and step-by-step instructions. Choose from the Everyday IPA, Chocolate Maple Porter, or Bruxelles Blonde. With this kit, perhaps dad will discover that he likes brewing beer as much as he enjoys drinking it.

Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit

A half-full bottle with funnel in between two bottles of sauces and three empty bottles with chili and spices.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dad can turn up the heat by making his own hot sauce. This kit includes various dried peppers, from whole guajillo peppers to Arbol peppers. It also comes with assorted spices, white vinegar, and six glass bottles with lids and labels. There’s even an instruction book with recipes, although dad may be inclined to experiment and land on an award-winning hot sauce formula.

Carnivore Club Subscription Box

The contents of the Carnivore Club Subscription Box.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Help dad try the meats of the world from the comfort of his own kitchen with a monthly Carnivore Club subscription. Each box contains four to six artisanal cured meats, totaling as much as 2 pounds. It also includes a guidebook with details about the artisans, recipes, and drink pairings. Every Carnivore Club box has a theme; past themes have featured meats from Italy, Spain, and Canada.

Grooming Gifts for the Dad Who Wants Nothing

Beard Club PT45 Trimmer

A Beard Club PT45 Trimmer on white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Has your dad’s beard trimmer seen better days? Gift him the award-winning beard trimmer he didn’t know he needed. The Beard Club PT45 comes with eight color-coded guide combs for 45 different beard lengths so dad can dare to do something different with his whiskers (and still look good). Also included is a minimalistic charging stand that won’t clutter the bathroom counter.

Jack Black Beard Grooming Kit

The Jack Black Beard Grooming Kit on plain background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If dad wants to keep his pandemic beard going, more power to him. Help him keep it fresh and clean with this beard-grooming kit from Jack Black. It comes with a wash, a conditioning shave, beard oil, and a beard comb. Dad can take his new grooming routine on the road since this kit is the perfect size for travel.

Manscaped Shears 2.0 Nail Grooming Kit

Tweezers, scissors, nail clippers, and a medium grit file beside a travel case.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dad can enjoy a luxury manicure at home with the Manscaped Shears 2.0 nail kit. It comes with slant-tipped tweezers, round-point scissors, nail clippers, and a medium grit file — all made of tempered stainless steel. All of these tools rest in the included travel case with magnetic closure. Whether home or away, dad can keep his nails clean and cuticle-free.

Tech Gifts for the Dad Who Wants Nothing

Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds

A pair of noise-canceling earbuds from Bose.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds will allow dad to listen to his favorite songs, podcasts, and audiobooks with minimal distraction. If dad chooses to wear these earbuds while jogging or commuting, he can control the level of ambient noise so he’s aware of travel announcements or oncoming traffic. There’s also a wireless charging case that provides an additional 12 hours of playback time (up to 18 hours total).

Garmin Forerunner 245 Music GPS Watch

A Garmin Forerunner 245 Music GPS Watch on white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dad can keep his phone in his gym bag or locker when he works out with the Garmin Forerunner 245 Watch. It has built-in GPS plus music streaming via Spotify Premium and other services. Additional features include smart notifications for calls and texts, health-monitoring tools, and safety functions that will alert emergency contacts through a paired smartphone in case of an accident.

Logitech Harmony Elite

The Logitech Harmony Elite on white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Level up dad’s smart-home game with the Logitech Harmony Elite. It includes a smart hub plus a universal remote that’ll allow for control through closed cabinets or walls. The Logitech Harmony Elite is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which means dad can use his voice to control the TV, lights, smart thermostat, and much more.

Experiences for the Dad Who Wants Nothing

Masterclass Annual Subscription

Three portraits of Masterclass instructors.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Your dad can learn how to cook from Gordon Ramsay or take a screenwriting class with Aaron Sorkin thanks to Masterclass. An annual Masterclass subscription grants unlimited access to over 100 world-class instructors across 11 categories. Every class is available to watch on-demand so dad can go at his own pace.

Vinyl Moon Monthly Subscription

Vinyl records of various colors on a table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Perhaps dad is thrilled that vinyl is making a comeback. Add to his music library (and his happiness) by giving him the gift of Vinyl Moon. Each month, Vinyl Moon curates songs from 10 up-and-coming artists and presses them to high-quality vinyl. Members also receive discounts and free shipping in the Vinyl Moon store, which means dad can build his music collection and save some cash, too.

Alison Barretta
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alison is a freelance writer and editor from Philadelphia who specializes in skincare & beauty, lifestyle, and general…
Cigar expert recommends: The 10 best cigars for beginners
Close up of cigars in humidor at home - Briley Kenney from The Manual

If this is your first time smoking a cigar, or you smoke occasionally, and it has been a while, you want to ease into it. In other words, you don't want to dive in headfirst and start smoking something strong, like a full-bodied smoke. Not only will the flavors and experience overwhelm you, but the high nicotine concentration in the stronger cigars might also be a bit too much for you.

If you're curious, you can read a brief guide on what a cigar is supposed to taste like. The experience is different for everyone, and your taste buds may pick up more or fewer flavors than others, but that's okay. The rich, nuanced tastes will come across even in milder cigars, that is, if you choose the right one. But don't you worry. That's precisely why we're here. We'll ensure you are introduced to flavorful, enjoyable cigars ideal for beginners and novice smokers. Let's discuss.f
The best cigars for beginners

Read more
Make shopping easy: The best gifts for men (no matter what he’s into)
These are the best gifts for men in 2023

Shopping for the best gifts for men can at times seem like a daunting task, whether it be for a birthday, an anniversary, or any gift in between. So, we decided to help you out and lend you a hand and make gift-giving a little less stressful with a thoughtfully curated list of tried-and-true gifts suited for men. And at times, no matter how well or how long you have known someone, you just don't know where to look.

From small everyday carry items and others from the cool tech world to experiences that help you disconnect to reconnect, we offer you a gift guide for every guy on your list or some nice ways to treat yourself, too. Ahead, you will find a list of the best practical gifts for every type of guy. With that being said, here are the best gifts for men in 2023.

Read more
Shopping for mom? Here are 9 gifts for mom she’ll actually love
If you need inspiration, these are the best gift ideas for mom
best gifts idea for mom adult son gives present

We don't always appreciate everything our moms do for us when we're growing up, but the benefit of adulthood is perspective. From the scraped knees and bedtime stories, to advice about love and how to cook (so we're not eating fast food all the time), our moms do a lot for us. And that doesn't change when we move out on our own and start living independent lives.

Do you want to show your mom some appreciation? Do you think she deserves to be pampered, to enjoy her hobbies, to have something nice? From fashion to home decor to entertainment, these gift ideas are ones your mother will love. If you're looking for the best gifts for mom, these picks are perfect, whether it be for Mother’s Day, birthdays, the winter holidays, or simply the right day to let Mom know that you love and appreciate her.

Read more