Well, pull up a rocking chair, friend. Every December somebody asks me the same question: "Hank, what in the world do I get my dad?" And every December I give the same answer: depends on the dad. Fathers come in more flavors than a church potluck, and the trick to a great gift is figuring out which kind you're shopping for. So I've sorted 'em out for you, the way my granddaddy sorted fishing tackle: by what actually gets used.
The Griller
You know this fella. He stands by the smoker like a sentry at Fort Knox, and he will tell you the internal temperature of a pork butt before he'll tell you his own birthday. For the Griller, quality tools are love language. A good thermometer, a sturdy set of tongs and spatulas, a rub he hasn't tried yet. Browse the Grill & BBQ collection and you'll find gear that'll earn you the first plate off the pit. My tip: buy him something he'd never splurge on for himself. He'll keep using the bent spatula from 1994 otherwise.
The Outdoorsman
This dad's happiest when the cell signal gives out. He fishes at dawn, knows six kinds of knots, and owns at least one jacket with more pockets than a pool table. For him, look through Outdoors & Fishing: lanterns, flashlights, lures, camp cookware, and good knives. A man in the woods with the right gear is a man at peace. A man in the woods with the wrong gear is a man who's going to tell you about it at Thanksgiving for the next nine years.
The Desk Jockey
Not every dad works with his hands. Some of them fight the good fight from behind a keyboard, armed with nothing but coffee and a stubborn printer. The Desk Jockey appreciates things that make the workday a touch more civilized: a handsome pen, a good phone stand, a desk mat that makes his setup look like it belongs to somebody important. Take a stroll through Desk & Gadgets. He'll think of you every time he signs something, which, if he's a manager, is about four hundred times a day.
The Fixer
Every family's got one. The leaky faucet, the squeaky door, the lawnmower that's "making a noise." The Fixer has heard it all and fixed most of it. He measures twice, cuts once, and then goes to the hardware store a third time because he needed one more washer. The Tools & Garage collection is stocked with multitools, squares, flashlights and the sort of handy gear he'll reach for every weekend. A Fixer never has too many tools. He only has not enough pegboard.
The Sports Nut
This dad schedules family events around kickoff and considers the seventh-inning stretch a sacred rite. He's got opinions about the umpire, the coach, and the fella three rows down. For him, check out Sports Fan: game-day bottle openers, ballpark-inspired gear, and gifts that'll make him the most popular man at the tailgate. Bonus points if it opens a cold drink, because that's a gift that keeps on giving all season long.
A Few More Ideas From the Porch
If you want something that says "I put some thought into this," head over to Personalized Gifts. A name or initials engraved on something good turns a nice present into an heirloom. Watching the wallet this year? No shame in that. Check Gifts Under $25 and Gifts Under $50. And if you'd just like to see everything I've hand-picked for the season, my Christmas Gifts for Dad and Hank's Picks are the place to start.
Hank's Joke of the Day
Why did the dad put his Christmas tree in the garage? He wanted to see it get a little spruced up. ...I'll let myself out.
Now remember, the best gift isn't about the price tag. It's about showing your dad you pay attention to what he loves. Find his flavor, pick something that fits, and you'll have done just fine. The perfect gift is in here somewhere. I'll help you find it.
Your friend on the porch,
Hank