5 Things Your Dad Definitely Doesn’t Want This Father’s Day
This year, skip the socks. Give him something he’ll actually remember.
Let’s be honest: most Father’s Day gifts miss the mark.
We settle for convenience. We assume he doesn’t care. We default to socks, steak rubs, or novelty mugs like it’s 1998.
But what if this year, we tried something different?
Here are 5 things NOT to get your dad this Father’s Day — and one thing he might actually need.
1. Another coffee mug.
Your dad already owns 23 mugs. He drinks from two. The other 21 live in the back of a cupboard collecting dust and dad jokes.
2. A tie.
Unless your father is actively running for office or stuck in 1986, let’s just… not.
3. Grilling tools he didn’t ask for.
This is like buying your mom a vacuum and pretending it’s thoughtful. Pass.
4. A book you want him to read.
This is sneaky. We give our dads memoirs about feelings or generational trauma, secretly hoping they’ll get it. But unless he asked, this is homework, not a gift.
5. Silence.
The worst gift we give — without realizing it — is distance.
We assume he’s fine. We assume he doesn’t need much. We keep things light. Safe. Surface-level.
But maybe what he actually needs… is connection.
What to give instead?
Your presence. A real conversation. A story from your life you’ve never told him before. A note that says, “I see you.”
Even dads who don’t say much still feel deeply.
Sometimes the most powerful gift isn’t a thing — it’s a moment where he feels known.
This Sunday, skip the mug.
Tell your dad something real.
Or if he’s gone, tell someone else who’s been like a father to you.
These little moments? They matter more than we know.
PS: join me on LinkedIn Live for a conversation with Leslie Weirich and Rachel Beck around men’s mental health
PPS: This Friday the first exclusive article will be released from the paid version of Hey Man! The article will be a deep dive into men’s mental health and it will be a gift for dads to help them connect better with their sons. Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss it!