Shopping for Dad is always difficult, and the current state of the world hasn't made it any easier, especially when you're not quarantined in the same space as your parents. If your go-to Father's Day gift is dinner at a nice restaurant, seeing a movie or baseball game together together or even going fishing, you may be stumped at what to buy this year.
Lucky for you, we've done the hard work of finding all the best Father's Day gifts you can buy this year—and for bonus gifts, picked the perfect book to go with each one!
Related: The 6 Best Dads in Literature
For dads who like to grill
Grilling Spice Gift Set
If your dad is a self-proclaimed grill master, spice up his game with these delicious, well, spices. The basic spice mix set is shown above, but you can also get All-Star Barbecue and Hot and Spicy varieties. Plus, once quarantine's over, you might get to benefit from this present for your dad, too.
Bonus book gift: James Beard's The Complete Book of Outdoor Cookery
For dads who miss baseball season
Baseball Double Feature
We know—everything's on streaming nowadays, but if your baseball-loving dad would rather pop in a blu-ray or DVD, then this two-for-one movie deal is just the ticket.
Bonus book gift: Roger Angell's Five Seasons
For dads who love action thrillers
Bullet Rocks Glass
Just picture it—your dad, re-reading his favorite Ian Fleming novel (or the below book that inspired the movie Three Days of the Condor) and sipping Scotch from this glass with a real copper bullet in it. You know he'd love it, so what are you waiting for?
Bonus book gift: James Grady's Six Days of the Condor
For dads who love Star Wars
Death Star Popcorn Maker
Any Star Wars fan can have a movie marathon of the classic films—but not everyone gets to do it while eating popcorn made by a Death Star popcorn machine.
Bonus book gift: Joe Haldeman's The Forever War
For dads who appreciate chemistry
Chemistry 101 Flask Book
Admit it: You've always wanted a hollowed out book to hide your personal belongings, and you're sure your dad does, too. Science geeks will love tucking away their favorite alcohol, also known as C2H5OH, in this hidden book flask.
Bonus book gift: John C. Powers' Inventing Chemistry
For dads who love GoT
Game of Thrones Trivia Game
Though Game of Thrones finished its last season in 2019, you know what your dad would say: "What is dead may never die." Keep him occupied while he waits for the upcoming prequel series with the comprehensive trivia game, straight from HBO.
Bonus book gift: Dave Duncan's The Reluctant Swordsman
For dads who really, really love their dogs
Treat Tossing Dog Camera
If your dad is becoming more bonded than ever before with his dog, you'll want to have this nifty camera ready for when quarantines are completely lifted.
Bonus book gift: Jack London's The Call of the Wild
For dads who love horror
Creepy Crate Subscription
If your dad can't get enough Vincent Price films and Cold Case reports, then this subscription box is the perfect gift. Every other month he'll receive a box full of horror books and creepy collectibles.
Bonus book gift: Elizabeth Hand's Wylding Hall
For dads who love the great outdoors
Camping Hammock
Whether he's a day hiker or takes days-long camping trips (or even just likes to take a nap during family trips to the park), this surprisingly affordable hammock is sure to get a lot of use.
Bonus book gift: Barry H. Lopez's Arctic Dreams
For dad who love Dad Jokes
Punderdome
If your dad's favorite pastime is coming up with groan-inducing jokes–and you're okay with encouraging even more–then this pun-based board game is the best Father's Day gift you can get for him. “With the right mix of people you’ll be rewarded (or punished, depending on your tolerance for puns) when the mix of “Beatles” and “diner” leads to people singing lines like “I want to hold your ham…” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Sandwich...””—A.V. Club
Bonus book gift: Ian Allen's The Very Embarrassing Book of Dad Jokes
Keep reading: Complicated Fathers in Literature
Featured photo via Tim Mossholder / Unsplash
