If you are wondering what to get your father in law for Christmas, worry no more because we have picked out 18 unique gifts for your father in law. Christmas is the season for giving and you want to show him just how special and important he is to you. Everyone wants to unwrap a gift or two, and your father-in-law is no different. Gifting him this Christmas will tell him how thoughtful you are.
Maybe you are a new bride/groom and do not know what your father-in-law likes. Or perhaps your father-in-law can be quite demanding and difficult to please or likes funny and funky gifts. Or maybe your father-in-law is enigmatic and hard to figure out. Or maybe you just don’t know what to get your father-in-law for Christmas. Whatever the case, we have you covered. In this article, we will be giving you the answer to what to get my father in law for Christmas.
TIPS TO CHOOSING AN UNFORGETTABLE AND IMPRESSIONABLE GIFT
1. A good starting point is to check your bank balance first and set a budget. Since you will be doing quite a number of gift shopping, you want to plan your budget beforehand. If your income allows for, say only $500 as your total spend on Christmas gifts, determine first and foremost how much you are able to allocate for Christmas present(s) for your father in law.
2. The next step is to choose the gift that falls within that budget. And here you want to choose an impressionable one of a kind gift that would win you the daughter-in-law/son-in-law award of the year.
Here, the most important trick to choosing an impressionable gift is to know the type of person your father-in-law is:
- If you are a new bride/groom, you can start by asking your partner what their father normally likes for gifts; his preferences and the likes. If your husband for example tells you that his father is just like him, then you won’t have so much of a challenge figuring out what works for him. You can even get more ideas from our article on what to get your husband here, since it would work as well for your father-in-law.
- If you think this would be too obvious and you want to take on the challenge of figuring it out yourself, you can start by spending more time with daddy in law dearest and getting to know him better – his interests and the likes. Since Christmas is still some months away, you could actually jokingly throw it into conversation by asking “pops what’s the worst Christmas present you ever got and what’s the best you ever got?” It may come across as odd given that Christmas is still some months away, but you would have gotten your answer and it would not be glaringly obvious what your intentions are.
3. Once you’ve gotten an idea of the type of man your father in law is, it makes it easier to know what type of gift to buy. The type of gift could fall into one or more categories. In this article, we have taken the liberty to compile and create a list of 18 cool and amazing Christmas gift ideas for your father in law under 3 different categories, to cater for everyone. Whatever category you may fall under, you will be sure to find a thing or two that would appeal to you and win the daughter-in-law/son-in-law of the year award.
GIFT CATEGORIES
This category directory of gifts has everything you will need and will certainly answer the question of what to get my father in law for Christmas. From gifts under $50 for the budget spender to big spenders that want plush items, you are sure to find something unique and good.
Can I find a good gift for my father in law for less than $50? Gifts under $50.
Are you on a very tight budget? Do not despair! In this section you can find quality impressionable items that will not break your bank balance and still win you that coveted award of the year with your dearest daddy-in-law.
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Quick Overview: Best Christmas Gifts for Father-in-laws
1. Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren. This 2.5oz costs less than $50 at the time of writing.
Ralph Lauren’s reputation precedes it, and this particular product was voted one of the top 5 male fragrance under $50 for 2020. Have your father-in-law oozing a million bucks of fresh, cool and masculine, for way less. Here is one review that should certainly make you want to purchase this –
”My wife’s love for it makes me love it even more and confirms to me that I made the right choice of fragrance.”
Pros:
- It has a good masculine feel to it and a cool, fresh, warm feel.
- The fragrance is just the perfect balance between too strong and not too strong, making it a top choice for even the most sensitive nose.
- The fragrance is long lasting and can last up to a day on his clothes.
- The fragrance is multipurpose and appropriate for every occasion.
Cons:
- It is a risky purchase if you do not know the preference/taste of your father-in-law. Be sure it is his taste before purchasing it.
2. Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
This product can be purchased on both the Amazon and Takeya USA website for less than $30 at the time of writing. If your father-in-law loves his coffee, whether cold or hot, he would love this product.
Pros:
- The pitcher is made of Tritan which means it can retain the heat of the coffee. It is also BPA-free and therefore safe.
- It has an airtight pitcher that preserves coffee freshness.
- It is easy to fit in most refrigerator door compartments.
- It is dishwasher safe and easy to clean and use.
- It is a definite alternative to pre-made cold beverages.
Cons:
- The coffee brew is weak because it uses less coffee beans. But if your father-in-law loves his coffee mild then this is definitely a winner.
For the father-in-law that loves a strong brew, an alternative product with a stronger brew and which costs less than $50 at the time of writing (on Amazon) is the Oxo Cold Brew Coffee Maker
3. Scosche MagicMount™ Pro Window/Dash
This is another cool gift for your father in law. This amazing mount would hold his phone in place, whether on the dashboard or window, allowing him to safely drive handsfree while making and taking all important calls. And the price definitely makes it worth the purchase; currently less than $40 (and less than $30 on Amazon) at the time of writing. This product has only great reviews –
“It's sturdy; easy to use and the best phone mount in the market at such a bargain price.”
Pros:
- It has a good grip and is great on dashboards and windows. Its strong magnet securely holds it in place.
- It is suitable for all phone types (but not tablets or phablets though).
- It has a simple joint ball adjustment that adds to holding it in place.
- It stays in place even when driving in rough terrains.
Cons:
- None that we are aware of. All reviews on the product have only been positive.
The only suggested functionality for this product is to strengthen the glue for flat surfaces particularly for areas with high humidity like Florida.
4. Honesh Outdoor Leisure Double 2 Person Cotton Hammocks 450lbs Ultralight Camping Hammock with Backpack, priced at less than $40 on Amazon at the time of writing.
This is a good gift if your father-in-law loves the outdoors and camping. If he is also a traveller and always on the move, this would make a good christmas present, especially if the family is planning an outdoors trip; and at a very good price. It also comes highly recommended as a good gift for a dad, and that includes your dad-in-law:
“I gave this to my dad as a surprise on Father’s day and he was over the moon; it was love at first sight. He couldn’t wait to set it up and when he did, it was very quick and easy to set up, and definitely very sturdy. Our dock area now looks prettier.”
Pros:
- It is durable and lightweight. It can last up to a year if left outdoors and longer if occasionally taken indoors.
- It is strong and easy to assemble.
- It is also big enough for two people if you don’t mind a little crowd, but more comfortable for one person.
- It can be installed anywhere both indoors and outdoors - from lofts in treehouses to trees outside the house.
Cons:
- There are many counterfeits in the market. It is therefore advisable to either only buy from the Honesh website itself or through Honesh via Amazon.
5. Premium Cheese Board & Utensils Gift Set made of Bamboo.
This classy and quaint product costs less than $50 on Amazon at the time of writing. A great buy and a very unique gift for father in law, especially for a father-in-law that is a foodie; and an addition to his cutlery collection that he will be grateful for. It also comes highly recommended:
“This is such a beautiful and amazing quality product and I am definitely going to share the awesomeness by buying it for a friend too.”
Pros:
- It is classy and exquisite yet affordable.
- It comes with a drawer that fits everything thus preventing items from being lost.
- It can present all foods at the same time. If your father-in-law is a cheese lover, he’ll especially love showcasing his cheese on it.
Cons:
- It is fragile and to be handled with extreme care.
The board is however easily fixable with wood glue, which still makes it a good buy with value for money.
This is a great gift for a father-in-law that loves traveling and globetrotting. He would love you very much for this gift, and especially since Christmas is a time for traveling and seeing new places.
“The gift card is very easy to use if you follow all instructions. I ordered mine and in about 5 minutes I received the email with the e-gift card. Clicking on the “get card” command gave me the card number, pin and as well as the link to Airbnb. I then copied and pasted the info to my Airbnb and it applied the card to my account and I was good to go. I’ve always followed this step and it works seamlessly. Follow the same and you should be enjoying your gift card in no time.”
Pros:
- He can book any room of his preference within the amount placed in the card, at his own convenience.
- It does not expire.
- You can load the card with as little as $25 and as much as you want.
Cons:
- It does not work outside the United States.
- The Airbnb gift card does not work on long term stays.
Although the card does not work outside the US, for the majority however that still has a lot of exploring to do in the US, this remains a great gift option. And even though it applies to short stays, chances are your father-in-law would not want to stay too long if he loves being on the move, especially during Christmas, and so this remains a good buy for the traveling father-in-law.
7. A Daily Dose of Dad Jokes: 365 Truly Terrible Wisecracks.
This really funny piece costs less than $10 on Amazon at the time of writing. It would give your jolly and funny father-in-law a good laugh. And what’s better? You can read with him and share in the good laughs.
“This is a really great gift for every cheesy, corny and funny dad out there. You won’t get enough of the laughs.”
Pros:
- It is a good stress reliever; good for laughs with the corniest jokes.
- It is great for a father-in-law with jokes but who needs to switch them up a notch.
- It is good for family time and bonding - the whole family can sit around the table and make father-in-law feel loved and special by listening to him tell them while everyone laughs
Cons:
- There are no cons with a good laugh 🙂
8. Magnelex Magnetic Wristband for Holding Tools, Screws, Nails, Bolts, Drilling Bits which costs less than $20 on Amazon at the time of writing.
This gift is perfect for the DIY father-in-law and allows him to have all his nails and screws and bolts handy while working. It has the added plus of being cool and fashionable. Your DIY father-in-law will definitely love you for it.
“The magnets are proper magnets not like what most other products have. And it has the added plus of fitting snugly on the wrist and being very comfortable when worn for an extended period of time.”
Pros:
- Super strong magnets embedded in the wristband and holds every screw, nail, bolt and small tools.
- Very good option for working on ladders and high points, as it keeps your hands free and allows you to work.
- Is a one-size fits all and therefore great for all hand sizes.
- Very comfortable and safe to use.
Cons:
- This product has not received any bad reviews as yet from any of its purchasers.
The only suggested change for the product is for a little touch-up on the magnetic side to make it less magnetic, but since this is a subjective view by very few purchasers, it remains a great buy at a great price.
This classy addition to your father-in-law’s culinary gallery costs less than $25 at the time of writing, and is sure to make him very happy. It definitely made this customer’s dad very happy:
“Dad loves this very much as it allows him to brag and show off his grilling skills to me. I love that it makes him really happy to grill. And the added plus is that it is so easy to clean and top rack dishwasher friendly.”
Pros:
- It has 4 skewers in one which means you can grill more food items.
- It is easy to clean.
- The steel is non-stick, which means the food comes off easily after grilling.
Cons:
- One reviewer found the skewers to be blunt, but overall the product has only very positive reviews.
10. Bluetooth Speaker & Water Bottle to get his groove on and stay hydrated at the same time.
This cool piece cost less than $40 at the time of writing. It is also a good carryon for picnics, hikes and just hanging out with friends. He will love this small and handy gift.
“Such an amazing speaker with a powerful sound. We are inseparable and I take it everywhere. It even pairs very easily with my iPhone 11.”
Pros:
- It is very portable.
- It also has great sound quality.
- And it is multipurpose and great for all occasions.
Cons:
- There are no cons to great music and hydration 🙂 And the product quality has only good reviews.
Can I find a good gift for less than $100? Gifts above $50 but less than $100.
These items are just a little above $50 and also sure to make an impression.
1. Nutribullet PRO Personal Blender. This costs less than $80.00 on Amazon at the time of writing.
Whether your father-in-law is a foodie or prefers to have his juice home-made, this product is a favorite. Here’s what a happy customer has to say about it:
“At the time I bought this about 3 years ago, I was contemplating whether to get a big smoothie maker or a small blender like this one. I chose this product and I haven’t regretted it for one day since then.”
Pros:
- It is affordable.
- It is also durable and long lasting.
- And it is very easy to use.
Cons:
- It can leak if instructions on method of use are not followed properly.
The leakage is however easy to deal with if the instructions are followed – remove the gasket around the blade, clean the grove and replace the gasket and voila the problem is solved. Just follow the instructions and all is good. This still remains a good value for money.
2. Nekteck Foot Massager with Heat, Shiatsu Heated Electric Keading Foot Massager. This costs less than $70 on Amazon at the time of writing.
It is good for the rugged DIY father-in-law or if your father-in-law’s work involves him standing on his feet all day. It will give his feet a good loving.
Pros:
- It relieves muscles, tension and regulates blood flow.
- It has a heating function that helps relieve pain in fatigued muscles and reduce foot pain.
- It is safe to use and can be switched on and off manually as desired.
- It has an adjustable height function of up to 3 levels depending on preference and comfort.
Cons:
- The product size cannot take all foot sizes. It is not a good purchase for a father-in-law with a big foot.
You can find more exquisite Christmas gift ideas that look expensive but are definitely inexpensive in an earlier article we wrote for you here. In that article we also give more tips on Christmas shopping on a budget and how to go about it, and you are sure to find it very useful.
Gifts $100 and above for the plush and big spender.
Perhaps you want to spend a little more on your father-in-law, then the gifts in this category are for you.
1. Hypervolt by Hyperice, Featuring Quiet Glide Technology – Handheld Percussion Massage Device. This plush item costs a little more; above $250 at the time of writing; but will definitely endear your father-in-law to you. It comes highly recommended as a state of the art hand massager that relieves sore muscles.
“This remains one of my favorite products. It really helps me with tight muscles caused by bad posture.”
Pros:
- It is handy and easy to use. It also makes for a good travel carry-on.
- It relaxes tense muscles and is very good for persons who generally have bad posture that could affect their muscles.
- It can also be used by a professional massage masseuse.
Cons:
- It is pricey.
- It can cause bruising and soft tissue if not properly used.
This piece costs less than $250 on Amazon at the time of writing. It is sleek, lightweight and sharp for the chef who fancies himself a god in the kitchen. Your father-in-law will definitely love it if he falls within this category.
“Even after 15 years of use, these knives remain great. They are durable and I will definitely always recommend them.”
Pros:
- They are durable and long lasting.
- They are also very sharp and do not need sharpening.
- They have a good grip and balance.
Cons:
- This product has only good reviews.
- The sharpness could however be a con if not properly used, and it must therefore be handled with extreme care.
3. Fire HD 8 Plus Tablet (8″ HD Display, 32 GB). This currently costs less than $120 on Amazon at the time of writing. This allows your father-in-law to have all his books in one place in Kindle, and still listen to all his favorite classics and follow all his favorite documentaries.
“The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is my favorite tablet of the year. It has everything I want. And what’s more it is one of the most affordable tablets in the market that can compare with the Apple and Samsung tablets.”
Pros:
- It has a great interface and is easy to use.
- It has a one click access to Amazon and all it offers.
- It comes with upgrades to Kindle and other apps.
- It is affordable and has the same capabilities as the I-pad and Samsung Galaxy tablets.
Cons:
- It is not an Android tablet and therefore does not run on an Android OS.
If your father in law is the techie type and you want more techie gift ideas for a techie lover, our article on buying your techie husband a gift here gives very good insights that would also be useful in buying the appropriate techie gadget for your father in law.
4. Philips Norelco 6880/81 Shaver 6800, Rechargeable Wet/Dry Electric Shaver, with Trimmer Attachment
This item costs about $100 at the time of writing and comes highly recommended for shaving even the most difficult hard to reach areas.
“This remains my winning brand and that says a lot because I have been using shavers for 30 years and none that can compare with this one. Even after 3 weeks it still remains on full charge.”
Pros:
- It has a flexible hand that can turn 8 directions and thereby reaching more places.
- It comes with comfort glide rings that reduces skin friction.
- It charges relatively faster.
- It is easy to clean.
Cons:
- The shave isn’t always smooth.
If your father-in-law isn’t the type for the too smooth looking shave; he would definitely love it.
5. Casio Men’s EF527D-1AV “Edifice” Stainless Steel Multi-Function Watch
This savvy piece costs less than $180 and looks classy and has a plush feel to it. A good wear for a casual outing. Your fashionista father-in-law would absolutely love it. It is made of stainless steel with fine finishes. This watch definitely makes an impressionable fashion statement.
“I have become the coolest dude in my click wearing this watch. It has now in fact taken the place of all of my other watches; that’s how much i love it. And my friends still cannot believe how much of a good deal it is in terms of price.”
Pros:
- It is water resistant.
- It wears very well.
- It has great battery power.
- It is friendly to the skin.
Cons:
- This product has only received great reviews and not one bad comment.
This is one gift that is really cool and unique. The reviews leave you in no doubt that it would be a good gift for your father-in-law, whether he’s a fashionista or just your normal guy.
6. Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness and Activity Tracker with Built-in GPS, Heart Rate, Sleep & Swim Tracking.
If you’re still wondering what to get father in law for Christmas, this one is a definite winner for the fitness father-in-law. It allows him to stay fit while being stylish at the same time. An impressionable gift for a health conscious father-in-law. It comes with Spotify music to cater for all types of music to accompany a workout. It also has a GPS that would ensure your father in law still finds his way if he gets lost on a new track when he goes for a run. It would also help him keep track of his sleeping patterns and his heart rate. Definitely a very thoughtful gift for father in law. And this impressive piece costs less than $150.
“This is an amazing product that gives you all the information you need to keep track of your health - from your sleep patterns to the rate of your heart beat and the number of steps you take in any given day. A wonderful accessory to have.”
Pros:
- It comes with Spotify music.
- It has a heart rate tracker.
- It also comes with a GPS function too.
Cons:
- Your father-in-law will need a Spotify premium account to be able to use the Spotify feature.
- The GPS can run the battery down if left on, so best to turn it off when not using it.
On a final note,
Sometimes, people may not be so much into the gifts as they are into spending time together. Your father in law may very well prefer to spend time with you and the larger family rather than gifts. In such cases, spending time together works better. And, in such a case, you will need to come up with very creative ways to make the time together enjoyable, and we help you with that here and here. These will give you really good ideas on how to spice up your Christmas with your father in law and extended family, without necessarily buying gifts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the best gift for my father in law?
All the gifts in this article are good father in law gifts. What will make it the best gift for your father in law is knowing the type of person he is and the type of gifts he likes. Following the tips we have suggested in this article will help you find these out, thereby getting him the best gift.
2. What type of gifts for a father in law who has everything?
Even for a father in law that has everything, there are still things he would love. Check out our updated article here for more ideas and inspiration, and you will definitely find something he would love.
3. Is there a funny gift for a father in law who has a sense of humor?
Maybe your daddy-in-law is the funny type with a sense of humor, whether in small or large doses. This is an easier buy because you are sure that he will have a good laugh at whatever you choose to give him. Item 7 on the less than $50 list is a funny gift that is sure to make him always laugh and remember you as the source of his mirth every time he looks at it. And what’s more, it costs less than $10. You can also find more ideas of funny Christmas gifts for your father in law here. The gift ideas in that link apply as much to your father in law as they would to your dad.
4. How do I buy an interesting gift(s) for my father in law?
All the gifts in this article are sure to interest your father in law if you choose the right type that suits his preferences. Following the tips we have suggested in this article will ensure you choose that interesting gift for your father in law.
CONCLUSION
Christmas shopping for your father in law does not have to be a nightmare or cause you to lose sleep. In the list we have compiled for you, you will definitely find something for the other important man in your life after your dad (and husband in the event you are a wife).
This is a good time to start planning for that gift as it would allow you to spend some time with your father in law and get to understand and know what type of person he is. The added benefit is you get to bond with dearest daddy in law – two birds killed with one stone. And if you don’t want to buy gifts and spend christmas in other ways, be sure to refer to the articles we cited above, for very good ideas on alternative ways to spend Christmas with your father in law.
If you have a favorite father-in-law item that is not on our list, feel free to suggest it in the comment section below. If you also have a question that we have not answered, feel free to also post it in the comment section and we will be more than happy to answer it.
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