Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I have a slight shopping problem. But, I can honestly say that I have been much better with spending money over the last few months. Sure, I get a Chipotle bowl here and there. Yeah, I regret it every time. Does that change the fact that I always go back for more? No. Overall, I can proudly say that my mother would be pleased with my bank statements.
Well, that all went down the drain ever since I started my Christmas shopping…in October…but, if I spend it on other people, it doesn’t really count towards MY shopping problem, right?
Although present shopping can be really fun, there is always that one person that is impossible to shop for. For us ladies, it tends to be the men in our life. For some of you maybe that is a boyfriend. For me? It’s my dad.
I don’t know about you guys, but my dad is the simplest man on this entire planet. His uniform consists of the following: a gray or navy Champion or Nike crew neck with a gray Champion or Nike or college shirt underneath tucked into an old pair of jeans with his Sambas or Chuck T’s. Like first of all, be cuter. But second of all, be better. How am I supposed to work with that if he wears things he has owned since before I was even BORN???
It’s not like I can think out of the box here and buy him something fun, because it would literally sit in the corner of his closet forever and ever alone and collect dust and be sad. We don’t want that.
I have decided to put together a list of things I have gotten for him over the years and things that I have gotten other people that COULD work for him to help you all with buying things for the special men in your life. Let’s hit it.
For the Pet Loving Dad:
So in my family, it’s crystal clear who the favorite child is, and no it’s not me or my sister. It’s our dachshund, Chloe. Ever since we have had her, which is now over a decade, we have celebrated a very merry, dachshund Christmas. Dad always gets us gifts pertaining to a weiner dog, whether it’s shaped soap, socks with Chloe’s face on them, pajama pants, shirts, hats, coasters, you name it. I keep the theme going by always giving him something that has to do with Chloe in return.
Shutterfly is your best friend. Trust me. They literally ALWAYS have some sort of sale going on and they have just about a billion things to choose from. You can do some sort of frameless frame, as pictured here, a puzzle, an ornament, a bottle opener, whatever tickles your fancy!
If you walk into his closet, the shelves are filled with Chloe items. Last year’s was probably my favorite: it was a Chloe Cube. Everyday he switches it over to a different picture that I picked out. Super cute. Super great. Love it. Do it and you will be the best daughter eveeerrrrr.
For the Candy Loving Dad:
If you ever come to my house, you will see that we either have a ton of candy or no candy. If you arrive and are welcomed with the latter, it’s because my dad or I have gotten into the stash. We have no self control. Apple, tree. See what I mean? If there is a bag of M&Ms out on the table, every time I walk into the kitchen I will grab a handful and by the next day it will be empty. SO, how do you solve that problem? You create a never-ending stash. Go to Walgreens and get the 5 pound bag of M&Ms. Not only does it look really big in a bag, but there is enough to go around. He will be very happy. And so will you.
Or, instead of going the drug store candy route, you can go to your local chocolate shop and get a box of fun goodies! Maybe some toffee chocolate covered pretzels - my dad loves those. I feel like every dad loves those.
For the Book Worm Dad:
Every year for years, I have gotten my dad a book for his birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, all of those holidays. I tend to stick to two themes: Dogs and History. Very different, I know. But those are two things that we both enjoy reading about and I know we can read together. Not together as in he will read me a bedtime story, but together in the sense that we can both read the book.
Go to a local bookstore and find a cool autobiography on one of his favorite singers or athletes. Or maybe a book all about the history of Fenway Park. Or maybe a book all about Dachshunds. Whatever it may be, books are just really easy and really thoughtful gifts. Need some recs? Click that link below this to see my favorites - half of them my dad has already read.
For the Coffee Addict Dad:
My dad drinks water and lemonade. That’s about it. So I would never get him a mug BUT, I did get my sister and mom these mugs last year that could totally work for ANYONE in your life. Wherever you are going to school at the moment or wherever you’re living, you have a Starbucks near you. That is one thing you can at least count on. In those said Starbucks shops, you will find a mug that has all things “Boston” on it or all things “Massachusetts” on it. They are part of the Been There Series. Unfortunately they don’t sell them on their website but you can find them on Amazon!
I don’t drink coffee either but I almost wanted to buy one for myself just to keep on my desk and stare at it. I think they are dope. End of story. Get one.
For the Classic Dad:
Here is a fun little game. On the count of three, let’s all say the first word that comes to mind when you think of dad things.
1…
2…
3…
WALLET.
Over the course of your dad’s dad career, they will maybe go through three wallets. For some reason, they like to keep them in their back pocket until their pant pocket has an indent of where the wallet normally goes and until the wallet itself is practically falling apart at the seams. HAVE NO FEAR. That is about to change.
If you go to Madewell, they have just short of a billion different leather goods and you can get them MONOGRAMMED FOR FREE! You might have to join a member program but that literally is just an email and it is so worth it. I have gotten a few of my friends hooked on the monogrammed card holders - they just make the perfect personalized gift! You can also get numbers, smiley faces, question marks, whatever you want. Maybe you could do his lucky number, the year he was born, the year you were born, anything. I love it. He will love it.
There you have it. A handful of little gift ideas.
Keep in mind that any of these gifts could also work for literally anyone else in your life. Dads do not have ownership over candy, books or wallets. But, they do like them very much.
I hope this helps anyone who hasn’t been sleeping at night because they are stressed about what to get for their dad, uncle, grandpa, cousin, mom, grandma, aunt, sister, sister’s boyfriend, dog, cat, whatever. You got this. I believe in you.
Tis the season!
The one and only man in my life! Garbear!
The Chloe Cube that gets turned over every morning when my dad goes into his closet. Gosh she is so cute.
This is what I mean by frameless frame. It’s literally just like, a photo without a frame but it’s not paper it’s hard. Does that make sense? They are great. I have a few of them. Shutterfly!
Very Merry Dachshund Christmas 2019 !
The Been There Series mugs I got for my mom and sister last year. So easy. So cool.
My cute little monogrammed card holder that I literally carry with me everywhere. No more sticky card holder on the back of my phone.