Gift Ideas for the Dad Who Has Everything: Practical Gadgets He Will Use

Every year it is the same question: what do you buy for the dad who has everything? He says he doesn't want anything, his drawers are full of gadgets he used twice, and another bottle of aftershave feels like giving up.

The trick is to stop looking for something new and start looking for something useful. The best gifts for dads who have everything are the ones that make an everyday job easier, so he notices the difference every week.

Think about his routine, not his hobbies

Hobby gifts are hit and miss. He already has the golf balls and the barbecue tools, and he probably bought the good ones himself. His routine, on the other hand, is full of small jobs he would happily never do again. Ironing is a classic example, especially if he still wears shirts for work, church, the golf club or Sunday lunch.

Practical gift ideas he will actually use

A proper toolbox organiser

If his garage or shed is a mess, a good organiser is the kind of gift he would never buy himself but will appreciate every time he looks for a screwdriver.

A quality umbrella

Very British, very practical. A sturdy umbrella that survives the wind is a small gift that gets used all winter.

Shirt hangers that keep shirts sharp

Wide, curved hangers stop shirts slipping and stop the shoulder bumps that wire hangers leave. A small change he will notice every time he gets dressed.

An automatic ironing machine

This is the big one. He puts a damp shirt on the machine, sets the time and temperature, and walks away. Hot air dries the shirt and smooths out the wrinkles from the inside, and in around 8 to 12 minutes it is ready to wear. It works for shirts, polos, t-shirts and trousers, and even dries shoes with the included rack.

Why it works for older dads in particular

Standing at an ironing board is tiring, and many dads simply stop ironing and wear whatever is already pressed. An automatic ironing machine takes the standing, the bending and the heavy iron out of the job completely. It is easy to use, with a touch panel for time and temperature, and it shuts itself off when it is done, or if it ever tips over or overheats.

One customer summed it up:

"It's fantastic not having to iron anymore. I use my shirts much more now."

A gift with no risk attached

The hardest part of buying for a dad who has everything is the fear that he will not use it. That is why practical gifts are safer, and it is also why a 30-day satisfaction guarantee matters. He can try it at home, and if it is not for him, it can go back.

If you would like to know more before deciding, read our honest look at whether automatic shirt ironers work.