Six Father's Day Gifts for Hard-to-buy-for Dads

Here’s your reminder that Father’s Day is coming up! If you’re anything like me, this may induce panic, fret and indecision. Mostly because my dad is terrible to buy presents for - he will buy himself anything he needs, is often on health kicks avoiding sweet treats, and falls asleep in the cinema. Worst of all, he is BRILLIANT at buying presents for other people.

This year, I’m looking at trying a different tack and have been staring at the shelves here at Sprouts for quirky father’s day gifts. If you’re also feeling stuck, why not start looking here for some inspiration too…

1. Friend of the Bees

Ok, this one’s a winner. Who doesn’t love bees? And this brand is consistently in our top gift products, as well as winning Gift of the Year in 2024. The keyring helps you save bees on the go, so perfect for those dads who love going for countryside walks, or even urban walks, where it’s more important to look after our bees. And the Bee Hotel lets him build it himself, to be installed in his garden or outdoor space - great for gardeners and DIY kings

2. Socks n Sandals

I’m not advocating for this as a style option, but dads often have no shame, so why not give him some socks to really show off? It may be a classic ‘I didn’t know what to get you’ gift, but trust me, these are good socks. They’ll be keeping your dad’s toes cosy all year round, and they’re just a cut above the usual boring black, grey or navy pairs. Whether he rocks socks and sandals or hides his socks under suit trousers and polished shoes, add a bit of fun to his day with these funky animal designs.

3. Indoor Dad

For the dads who love the great indoors - or who are stuck in it at the moment - here's some ideas for their interior decor. Find the perfect items to complete your indoor dad's space. Maybe it’s a print to make him laugh, or a funky succulent to add a bit of sculptural interest. Maybe he never buys anything nice for himself, and has houseplants in need of decorative pots? There’s plenty to choose from to add a bit of character to his space. 

4. DIY Diva Dad

We all know the guy who can’t sit still and is always renovating something. If that guy is also your dad, why not give him a little something to put together? Our DIY terrarium kit is a project in a bottle, keeping him busy and bringing some greenery into it too.

5. Soppy Dad

If you ask what he wants for father’s day and he says, ‘I don’t need anything, I just want to spend time with you’, I have the perfect way to tie in a gift with spending time together. Treat him to a workshop that you can go to together, and you both get a fun experience, time to chat, and a new skill to learn! At Sprouts, you can choose from forest or desert terrariums, living succulent wreaths and kokedama moss balls.

6. Project King

For the tinkerer, the one who loves messing with things, and also the one who’s happy to have many projects on the go at once, a bonsai tree is a great gift. If this sounds like your dad, get him one of these miniature trees to get wiring, pruning and generally fussing over. You might have to prepare to be on standby with advice, though, so get ready to google!

I hope some of these ideas are helpful - or at least something a little bit different to another tie, pair of black socks, or crate of beer… and if your dad is easy to get presents for, then count yourself lucky and treat him royally!