Fathers are often impossible to buy gifts for. They claim not to know what they want, simply state they don't want a gift, or seem to have already bought everything for themselves. Only after persistent prompting do they come up with some practical items, like socks or a new charger. Not very festive to give.

But the problem is not that there's nothing to give. The problem is that fathers either buy nothing, or precisely everything for themselves. For instance, there are hobby-fathers who instantly acquire all the tools and gadgets for their hobbies, but also the fathers who are incredibly frugal. They wear the same apron until it falls apart, or use their worn-out wallet until the zipper gives up. From the father who already has everything to the father who says he wants nothing – it's quite a challenge to pick out the perfect gift for them.

And yet, all fathers who are there for their families deserve some extra love on Father's Day. So this year, you're going to do things differently: you're going to give a top-tier gift. We have collected 21 gifts that truly make an impression – categorized by type of father, so you instantly know what fits. From artisanal sea salt for the grill to a luxurious cookbook that looks great on the coffee table. And the best part is that all the tips we share below can be chosen via Cadeo. So ultimately, the choice lies with your father!

How do you choose a good Father's Day gift?

Before we dive into the list of Father's Day tips, here are a few rules of thumb that always work. Even for that father who already has everything or wants nothing at all.

Give something he wouldn't buy for himself. That is the golden rule, and it works for both types of impossible fathers. The frugal father loves it but wouldn't spend his own money on it. The father who already has everything simply isn't familiar with the product yet. That beautiful knife set, that stylish apron, that premium beard oil – exactly the kind of things you can surprise him with.

Quality over quantity. Better one thoughtful gift than a basket full of stuff. Especially for the father who already has everything, it is important to give something with a story, from a brand he doesn't know, or in a quality he wouldn't select himself. One good product feels more personal than ten small knick-knacks.

Think in moments. The strongest gift creates a memory. A BBQ night together with new tools. Coffee every morning from an Italian percolator. An afternoon with a good book or wearing an apron to try out new recipes. Those are the gifts he remembers – and that even the 'I don't need anything' father can't refuse.

And if you're in doubt? We get it, the pressure is high with those fathers. No stress. There is also an option where he gets to choose for himself – without it feeling like a boring gift card. Ideal for the father who is impossible to read.

Getting to work on the grill: everything for the BBQ

The hobby-father in his purest form: the grill master. Maybe he already has a barbecue, but there is always room for an upgrade in tools or ingredients. Or maybe he secretly dreams of more outdoor cooking, but is still messing around with a rickety set he scored once. Recognizable? Then this is his category.

The barbecue that fits on the table

Not everyone has a backyard with room for a large barbecue. This compact table BBQ from BergHOFF fits on any balcony or terrace, can even be taken to other places, and looks stylish too. Truly an object to use all season long, whether at home, in a park, or on the beach (only where allowed, of course). Compact, but serious enough to impress and enjoy some great grilling.

Grilling with the best tools

Grilling is impossible without tools. A spatula, knife, and tongs – these are the three musketeers of every grill. This premium set from Barbecook is built to last for years and instantly feels like an upgrade as soon as you hold the tools. The perfect replacement for those worn-out tools he thinks are still fine, but the rest of the family secretly begs to differ.

Salt to top it off

Three types of artisanal sea salt, specially blended for the barbecue. Zeeuwsche Zoute harvests their salt traditionally from the waters of Zeeland. Small gift, big difference – because once you've tasted good salt, you never go back. What does good salt taste like? Zeeuwsche Zoute Pure adds a unique crisp to your dishes, elevating all your meals. Zeeuwsche Zoute Smoked offers a unique taste experience. The salt with a smoky aroma and flavor fits surprisingly well in many recipes. It is made by literally smoking the salt in wood chips. Zeeuwsche Zoute Black Garlic is enriched with at least 15% black garlic. This variant is perfect for flavor combinations where a gentle salty taste is desired. Great for barbecue dishes, but this salt set is also very useful in the 'normal' kitchen.

Everything for the father who loves to cook

Some fathers prefer to spend their time in the kitchen. Others pretend they don't care, but as soon as a new knife or a beautiful cookbook is there, you can't tear them away. And then you have the fathers who have been working with the same blunt knives for years, which they claim still work fine. Spoiler: they don't. From the dutiful chef to the true hobby cook: at Cadeo, we has a wide range of kitchen tools.

Cutlery, gift sets, or knife blocks

The products of the famous French brand Laguiole Style de Vie are an addition to any kitchen. Think of opening oysters and bottles, premium steak knives, or a magnetic knife block. It's the kind of gift that looks like it belongs in a chic restaurant, but for at home – during a cozy drink or an evening with friends. For the father who loves beautiful things but rarely buys them for himself.

Must-have knives

Four classic French knives with olive wood handles. Opinel has been making knives that last for generations since 1890 – simple, beautiful, and effective. It's the type of kitchen tool your father will still be cutting with twenty years from now, proudly telling everyone he got it from you. And let's be honest: his current knives are probably long overdue for replacement, but he will never throw them away himself.

Artisanal Apron

A good apron is an underrated gift. This handmade apron from Brût Homeware is made of durable materials and looks good enough to cook in, grill in, or just walk around in looking tough. The typical father keeps using his apron until it literally falls apart – so this is your chance to retire that worn-out specimen from 2014.

Ottolenghi - a classic

Ottolenghi is by now a classic among cookbooks. The average hobby chef already owns Simple, but there are more amazing cookbooks from this chef to discover. Flavours, for example, is packed with plant-based recipes that are surprising, colorful, and accessible. Even the father who claims he can cook everything will find dishes here he has never tried. Or what about Comfort? The name says it all: 100 dishes that put a modern spin on comfort food. We also have cookbooks from other authors in our collection. A top gift for the father who loves trying new recipes – or if you simply want something different on the table for once ;)

A moment for himself: grooming and care

Many fathers spend exactly zero seconds selecting grooming products. They have been using the same shower gel for ten years and think it's fine. But give them something of high quality, and they'll secretly use it every day. This is the category where you score points with the father who truly buys nothing for himself – or surprise your father who thinks he already knows everything about grooming.

A grooming set, but for your beard

A complete beard set from the New Zealand brand Triumph & Disaster. Beard balm, beard oil, and a comb – everything you need for a well-groomed beard. The brand combines natural ingredients with a no-nonsense appearance that suits fathers who don't like fuss, but do love quality. Beard required.

A comfortable bathrobe from vtwonen

A bathrobe is the ultimate pampering gift that fathers rarely buy for themselves. This Soft Embrace from vtwonen is unisex, made of soft cotton velvet, and has a cozy loose fit. It is exactly the type of product that fits the frugal father: he loves it but would never buy it, because he doesn't think he needs it. But give him this, and he'll wear it daily – guaranteed.

The daily shave, but premium

A premium shaving set for the man who goes for quality and comfort. The Safety Razor is a stylishly and sustainably crafted razor that ensures a smooth and close shave with less irritation. The After Shave Balm instantly soothes the skin after shaving, reduces redness, and hydrates without being sticky, finished with a fresh, masculine scent. Together, they form an elegant, timeless set that turns every shave into a luxurious ritual. Perfect as a gift for men who want to look well-groomed. And isn't that every father?

Treats of all shapes and sizes

A percolator with timeless design

This Italian percolator from Bialetti combines timeless design with modern functionality. Put it on the stove, wait for that bubbling sound, and you have the best espresso without needing an expensive machine. The Venus is the stainless steel version – sleek, modern, and suitable for induction. It's a morning ritual that never gets old. Perfect for the hobby-father who already has a coffee grinder, but also for the frugal father who still walks around with instant coffee.

An upgrade to his whiskey experience

A good whiskey deserves a beautiful glass. Give your father this sophisticated gift set for a unique tasting experience with the iconic granite whiskey stones and elegant signature crystal glasses. The handmade granite stones cool without diluting, and the two beautiful lead-free crystal whiskey glasses with diamond design are great to drink from. The sleek modern design fits perfectly in the hand and enhances the aromas and flavors of your whiskey. Perfect for the connoisseur who wants to take his drinking experience to the next level. Unique, tasteful, gift-worthy. We have multiple sets of R.O.C.K.S. in our range, so feel free to look around!

Licorice with a beautiful story

Is your father a huge sweet tooth? Let him discover different types of artisanal licorice with the packages from Mooie D.R.O.P. Each product is crafted with love in Baarn. Young people with a distance to the labor market make, pack, and sell the licorice. He can, for example, enjoy the nostalgic taste of fresh pulled licorice or addictive licorice fudge. Warning: this gift will likely be gone on the day it is given.

Everything for the beer lover

With the Biercheque (Beer Voucher), your father can search for his ultimate beer experience. He can soak up the stories behind the beers and share this experience. Togetherness, passion, craft, and fun are what Biercheque is all about. Get to know the brewers and taste the unique flavors of the beers at the same time, but above all, witness the incredible drive and passion for the product. Seeing this come together creates the ultimate experience.

For all hobbies

From reading to shoes and from cigars to DIY: we have something for everyone.

Clean shoes

Sneakerheads: people with a passion for sneakers and everything that surrounds them. But the products from First Amsterdam are also for the father who treats his shoes with love but has been polishing them with the same cloth for years. First Amsterdam makes premium shoe care products that keep sneakers and leather shoes looking like new. The Premium Bundle contains everything you need – from cleaning to protection. Whether he is a collector who already has everything, or the type of father who wears his one pair of sneakers to threadbare: with this set, everything looks brand new again.

For every reader

For the father who loves picking up a book or magazine – or the one who really should do so more often. But choosing a book for someone is quite difficult. So sometimes the best solution is: let him choose for himself. The Boek & Bladkado gift card can be redeemed at hundreds of bookstores throughout the Netherlands.

Prefer a magazine? Then this 100% tree-free magazine is a unique choice. Happy Times is full of positive stories about sustainability, impact makers, and practical tips. Choose a single issue or go for the three-edition bundle. It's the kind of gift he might not expect, but will then spend the entire Sunday afternoon reading on the couch.

An even more surprising gift? Go for this combination of cookbook and seasonal calendar, fully focused on seasonal cooking with Dutch products. Practical, beautifully designed, and full of inspiration to use throughout the year. The kind of gift the father who already has everything doesn't know yet, and the father who wants nothing can't refuse – because it is simultaneously a book, a calendar, and a cooking guide.

For the cigar lover

This complete and refined gift set is ideal for a unique whiskey tasting and cigar smoking experience. The luxurious set unites the best of both worlds with handmade granite whiskey stones, a precision cigar cutter, and a minimalist granite ashtray. Whether your father is a novice enthusiast or an experienced smoker – cigar cutters are essential in any collection. Combined with the heavy granite ashtray, the result is a pure expression of material and form that embodies the ritual of one of life's luxuries. Sounds too good to be true, right? But we actually have it. For your father (or for yourself).

Choose-it-yourself gift for the sporty and active father

The hobby-father who already buys all gadgets himself? You don't give him stuff – you give him the freedom to choose for himself. The same goes for the DIY father who spends every weekend in the hardware store. With these gift cards, you're always on the mark, because they know best what they need.

The Sportsgiftcard can be spent at thousands of sports venues and shops across the Netherlands. From a padel lesson to new running shoes – he chooses what he needs himself. Exactly the solution for the father who already seems to own all sports gear: because there is always something in need of replacement or addition.

And for the father who spends his weekends in the hardware store, there is the Kluscadeau. It can be spent at the most famous hardware stores in the Netherlands. Because indeed, he always needs something for that one project. And even if he says he wants nothing – ask him if he needs something for the renovation and you'll get a list longer than his grocery list.

Top it off: tips that make any gift better

A gift only becomes truly special when you add something personal to it. Here are a few simple things that make all the difference – even to the father who claims not to care about anything.

Write a card. Sounds old-fashioned, but a heartfelt message makes any gift ten times more special. It doesn't have to be a novel – a few sentences explaining why you chose this gift is enough. You can also add a digital personal message at Cadeo. Even the toughest "I don't need anything" father will be touched by that.

Arrange a breakfast. Simple, always a hit. Fresh bread rolls, orange juice, a good cup of coffee – and the gift alongside it. It's the combination of attention and delicious food that does the trick. Who says no to a beautifully set table filled with treats and loved ones?

Plan something together. The best gifts are moments. Cook that recipe from the new cookbook together. Have a BBQ night using the new tools. Go to that sports match together. The gift is the occasion, the time spent together is the real present. And that is ultimately what every father appreciates most – even the one who won't easily say it out loud.

In doubt? Let him choose for himself

Even after sixteen suggestions, you might still be in doubt. Perhaps your father really is impossible – the type who already has everything and says he wants nothing. Maybe he doesn't know himself either. Or maybe you just want to be absolutely sure it's a hit.

That's why there is an option that never misses: a choice gift via Cadeo. You send a personal link allowing your father to choose a gift himself from more than 1200 products, including all the options in this article. That way, you don't have to guess. Choice gifts are available starting from 15 euros, and you can personalize the experience with your own message via Cadeo Studio.

And the best part? If he would still prefer something other than what you originally picked out, he can quietly exchange the gift – without you noticing a thing. No awkward moment, no disappointment. The perfect solution for the impossible father.

We believe Father's Day should go smoothly this year. And the most important thing is actually the simplest: spend time together and let him know you are thinking of him. Because that is, after all, what every father loves to receive most.