What to get for my dad for Father's Day

First things first: what sort of person is your dad?

It sounds like a weird question, but really, it is the most important thing to get right. The answer is, of course, a human of some sort, but I’m pretty sure you knew that already. Well, probably anyway.

Now, I know this isn’t true for everyone, but honestly, most of the time, dads just want to be left alone. I know that’s what I want, all the time. I don’t mean that in a grumpy way (although, yes, I am a little grumpy), it’s just that I want time to myself to do my own thing. I think that’s because I rarely get the chance; I’m always working, being a parent or doing something for someone else. I rarely get to do what I want, which might be making something, fixing something, or just sitting in the garden watching the birds.

This is probably true for most people, not just dads, and it seems that the more we get, the more we want, like some kind of weird addiction. Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe you don’t feel like this at all, but I think it’s worth thinking about what your dad really wants. Is it some more time to himself, or does he really want to spend some quality time with you?

If you want some help thinking about this, read this article about how to choose a good father’s day gift.

OK, so what should I get?

Well, I can’t answer that for you without knowing what sort of person your dad is, but I can give you some ideas. It would help if you thought about it a little more first though, and think about what he really wants, not what you think he wants.

I think the first thing to choose is whether you want to give him something to do, or just something he can keep. I think most gifts fit into one of these categories, and the first is usually the best.

With most things you buy, whether from us or anywhere else, it’s something that he can do, such as a book to read, a game to play, or a kit to make something. If you buy something like a pair of socks or a t-shirt, you might think that it’s just a thing to own, but actually it’s something to do: something to wear. With all of these suggestions, you can choose to do it with him, or leave him alone to do it in peace. I mean with the socks, you probably want to let him do that on his own.

So if you think about it, the only sort of gift that is just for owning is something that you just look at, like a beautiful painting, or a book that’s too nice to actually open. I don’t think that’s what you want to get, but maybe it is if that’s what he’s into.

What have you got that's good?

Everything that we sell is perfect for a gift, and most of it is good for Father’s Day, but if I had to pick one thing, I’d say the lock-picking kit. It’s a really interesting kit that’s fun to do