Father’s Day is coming up June 17, so it’s time to get those presents planned! When kids are little all the pressure is on mom to come up with something good. Dads can be a little harder to shop for sometimes, so here’s my list of 10 Unique Gift Ideas for Dads that I have personally tried and recommend. Some of these also work great for anniversary gifts as well.

1 – Personalized Super Dad Book from ISeeMe.com

My husband loved this one! He got his present early because the box arrived, and our son is obsessed with opening packages. He’s convinced they all must have toys for him inside. (He’s right about 1/3 of the time, lol) But really, such a cool book! K couldn’t wait to show it to him as soon as he got home. He took it to work with him and everybody loved it. The book’s story is about how dad is a superhero in daily life, whether it’s killing spiders or mowing the lawn. You can send in a photo or just choose hair color, hair style, facial hair and skin tone. They include dad’s name, plus up to four other people. It’s funny, cute and totally unique!

2 – Map of All the Places You’ve Been

This is a great gift for the family that likes to travel. I got Sean this Push Pin Travel Map off Etsy last year. It’s 24″ x 36″ and comes really nicely framed and ready to hang on the wall. It’s made so you can put push-pins in all the places you’ve been, and you can personalize a little plaque in the bottom left corner. Ours is hanging in the stairwell and I couldn’t get a good photo, so here’s the lovely one from their website:

3 – The Photo Mug

Is it original? No, not really, but I do totally love mine. I got Sean one of these for his 2nd Father’s Day. You can’t have too many coffee mugs, right? I had ours made at Snapfish.com because there’s always some good coupon to use where you save a ton. So, remember to look for a promo code!

4 – The Art Mug

A step up from the Photo Mug as far as originality goes. And I’ll confess I didn’t actually get one for Sean, but I got one for me and then he complained he didn’t get one so that’s proof that dads DO want one – your child’s artwork on a mug. Just snap a pic and upload it on Shutterfly to one of their blank mug designs. They also always offer good coupon codes too!

5 – A Mani-Pedi Appointment 

If your man has never experienced a mani-pedi, I highly recommend it. If not hands and feet, at least go for the feet. Guys never take care of their feet! I know this is something the ladies usually get, but it’s for your benefit too. Who hasn’t been scratched by a husband’s ragged nails or worse, a ragged toenail?! Tell them they can just get a buff and shine, and nobody will know they spent an hour getting their nails done.

6 – Set Up 2 or 3 Date Nights 

This is something that is great for anniversaries too! I’m a firm believer in date night. We’ve been together 18 years so making a little effort is important, whether that’s going to the theater, out to dinner, or simply taking a walk together just the two of you. 

Sometimes it gets a little stressful just trying to set it up, figure out where to go, arrange a babysitter, etc. So, take the pressure off and plan 2 -3 nights where you have reservations squared away and the babysitter scheduled. You could also try spicing things up with a mood enhancing perfume like True Pheromones!

Check out that new dinner place, try a class together, go see Bad Bunny in concert. Whatever you choose, this is a great chance to plan those things you’ve been wanting to do!

7 – Wall Art that Fits His Style

My husband is a surfer, and we love to decorate with a coastal vibe. This Aloha Multi Canvas Wall Art from ElephantStock.com looks great in our hallway, displayed directly below one of my husband’s retired surfboards. I was impressed with the quality and it looks way better than those surf posters from college!

Another unique wall art idea is his own neon sign! You can get custom made neon signs from Neon Mama, and light up his man cave with a favorite logo or name.

8 – The Dad Stereotype Theme Basket

Our first Father’s Day came shortly after K was born, and I was NOT up to doing anything creative or unique. So, I grabbed a bunch of stuff at the grocery stuff that was super typical dad stuff and called it a gift basket. I got him Old Spice Bearglove body wash, because I thought it sounded hilarious, along with shaving cream, socks and beer. I would have added a tie, but they don’t sell those at Publix.

9 – A Cool Watch

A watch is a nice useful and practical gift, but it can still be cool! You could splurge on a luxury men’s watch, or sometimes unique like a pocket watch. I got Sean this really neat steampunk looking one from Nixon. (It appears to be no longer available) You can also find a good selection of pocket watches from Dalvey.

10 – What You Really Wanted

Last year I had a crummy Mother’s Day, so guess what I did on Father’s Day? I gave Sean the present I really wanted. The thing I had been hinting about. It was a neat picnic backpack that fit a bottle of wine, glasses, all your dinnerware and a blanket. I thought it would be perfect for the beach (and it was).

So if your Mother’s Day didn’t turn out the way you expected and you didn’t get everything you want, maybe dad would like those things too! Maybe dad has no choice! Ha! (click here to find the picnic backpack)

I hope this gave you a few ideas you might not have thought of yet! If anything, it at least reminded me that I should probably get something together soon. Hope you all have a Happy Father’s Day!