Fathers are often impossible to buy gifts for. They say they don’t know what they want, simply say they don’t want any gift, or seem to have already bought everything for themselves. After some prompting, they usually only come up with practical things, like socks or a new charger. Not exactly festive to give.

But the problem isn’t that there’s nothing to give. The problem is that fathers buy either nothing, or everything, for themselves. There are hobby dads who immediately bring home all the tools and gadgets for their hobbies, but also dads who are incredibly frugal with all their stuff. They wear the same apron until it falls apart, or use their worn-out wallet until the zipper gives out. From the dad who already has everything to the dad who says he wants nothing - good luck finding 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 doing it differently: you’re going to give a top gift. We’ve collected 16 gifts that really make an impression - divided by type of dad, so you know at once what fits. From artisanal sea salt for the grill to a luxury cookbook that can also sit on the coffee table. And the best part is that all the tips we give below can be found via Cadeo. So in the end, the choice is your dad’s!

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 dad who already has everything or doesn’t want anything.

Give something he wouldn’t buy for himself. That’s the golden rule, and it works for both kinds of impossible dads. The frugal dad will think it’s wonderful but won’t spend money on it himself. The dad who already has everything simply doesn’t know 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. Rather one thoughtful gift than a basket full of stuff. Especially for the dad who already has everything, it’s important to give something with a story, from a brand he doesn’t know, or in a quality he wouldn’t choose himself. One good product feels more personal than ten little things.

Think in moments. The strongest gift creates a memory. A BBQ evening together with new tools. Every morning coffee from an Italian percolator. An afternoon with a good book or an apron to try new recipes. Those are the gifts he’ll remember - and that even the ‘I don’t need anything’ dad can’t refuse.

And if you’re unsure? We get it, the pressure is high with dads. No stress. There’s also an option where he can choose himself - without it feeling like a boring gift card. Ideal for the dad who is impossible to read.

Get to work on the grill: everything for the BBQ

The hobby dad in his purest form: the grill master. Maybe he already has a barbecue, but there’s always room for an upgrade in tools or ingredients. Or maybe he secretly dreams of more outdoor cooking, but he’s still fiddling with a shaky set he scored once. Sound familiar? Then this is his category.

The barbecue that fits on the table

Not everyone has a backyard with space for a large barbecue. This compact BergHOFF table BBQ fits on any balcony or patio, can even be taken to other places, and also looks stylish. Really an object to use all season, whether it’s at home, in a park or on the beach (only if allowed there, of course). Compact, but serious enough to impress and grill deliciously.

Grilling with the best tools

Grilling is impossible without tools. A spatula, knife and tongs - the three musketeers of every grill. This premium set from Barbecook is made to last for years and immediately feels like an upgrade once you pick up the tools. The perfect replacement for that worn-out gear he still thinks is fine, but the rest of the family secretly disagrees.

Salt to top it off

Three kinds of artisanal sea salt, specially blended for the barbecue. Zeeuwsche Zoute harvests its salt in the traditional way in the Zeeland waters. Small gift, big difference - because once you’ve tasted good salt, you’ll never go back. So what does good salt taste like? Zeeuwsche Zoute Pure gives your dishes a unique crispness, lifting all your dishes to a higher level. Zeeuwsche Zoute Smoked delivers a unique flavor experience. The salt with a smoky aroma and taste fits surprisingly many recipes. It is made by literally smoking the salt between wood chips. Zeeuwsche Zoute Black Garlic is enriched with at least 15% black garlic. This variant is perfect for flavor combinations where a mild salty taste is desired. Great for barbecue dishes, but this salt set also comes in handy in the ‘normal’ kitchen.

Everything for the dad who loves to cook

Some dads prefer to be in the kitchen. Others pretend they have nothing to do with it, but as soon as there’s a new knife or a beautiful cookbook, they can’t be kept away. And then there are the dads who have been working with the same dull knives for years, claiming they still work fine. Spoiler: they don’t. From the dutiful chef to the real hobby cook: at Cadeo we have a wide range of kitchen tools.

Cutlery, gift sets or knife blocks

Products from the famous French brand Laguiole Style de Vie are an addition to any kitchen. Think of opening oysters and bottles, quality steak knives or a magnetic knife block. It’s the kind of gift that looks like it belongs in a chic restaurant, but then for home - for a cozy drink or an evening with friends. For the dad who loves beautiful things but doesn’t buy them for himself very often.

Must-have knives

Four classic French knives with olive wood handles. Opinel has been making knives since 1890 that last for generations - simple, beautiful and effective. It’s the kind of kitchen tool your dad will still be cutting with in twenty years, and then he’ll tell you he got it from you. And let’s be honest: his current knives are probably long overdue for replacement, but he’ll never throw them away himself.

Artisanal Apron

A good apron is an underrated gift. This handmade apron from Brût Homeware is made from durable materials and looks good enough to cook in, grill in, or simply walk around the kitchen looking cool. The typical dad uses his apron until it literally falls apart - so this is your chance to retire that worn-out 2014 one.

Ottolenghi - a classic

Ottolenghi is by now a classic among cookbooks. The average hobby chef already has Simple at home, but there are still more great cookbooks by this chef to discover. Flavours, for example, is packed with plant-based recipes that are surprising, colorful and accessible. Even the dad who claims he can already cook everything will encounter dishes here he’s never tried. Or what about Comfort? The name says it all: 100 recipes that give comfort food a modern twist. We also carry cookbooks by other authors. A top gift for the dad who likes trying new recipes - or if you’d like something different on the table once in a while ;)

Just for himself: grooming and care

Many dads spend exactly zero seconds choosing grooming products. They use the same shower gel for ten years and think that’s fine. But give them something of quality and they’ll secretly use it every day. This is the category where you score with the dad who really doesn’t buy anything for himself - or surprise your dad 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 look that suits dads who don’t like fuss, but do like quality. Beard required.

A nice bathrobe from vtwonen

A bathrobe is the ultimate pampering gift that dads don’t quickly buy for themselves. This Soft Embrace from vtwonen is unisex, made of soft cotton velour and nice and roomy. It’s exactly the type of product that suits the frugal dad: he thinks it’s wonderful but would never buy it, because he doesn’t think he needs it. But give him this and he’ll wear it every day - guaranteed.

The daily shave, but premium

A premium shave set for the man who goes for quality and comfort. The Safety Razor is a stylish and durably made razor that delivers a smooth and precise result with less irritation. The After Shave Balm soothes the skin immediately after shaving, reduces redness and hydrates without stickiness, with a fresh, masculine scent as the finishing touch. Together they form an elegant, timeless set that turns every shave into a luxury moment. Perfect as a gift for men who want to look well-groomed. And isn’t that every father?

Treats, in 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, and you’ve got 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 dad who already has a coffee grinder, but also for the frugal dad who still uses instant coffee.

An upgrade to his whiskey experience

A good whiskey deserves a beautiful glass. Give your dad this refined gift set for a unique tasting experience with the iconic granite whiskey stones and elegant signature crystal glasses. The handmade granite stones cool without watering down, 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 a higher level. Unique, tasteful, gift-worthy. We have several sets from R.O.C.K.S. in our assortment, so have a look around!

Licorice with a beautiful story

Is your dad a huge sweet tooth? Let him discover different kinds of artisanal licorice with the packages from Mooie D.R.O.P. Each product is made with love in Baarn. Young people distanced from the labor market make, package and sell the licorice. That way he can, for example, enjoy the nostalgic taste of fresh chewy licorice or addictive licorice fudge. Warning: this gift will probably already be gone by the day it’s given.

Everything for the beer lover

With the Biercheque, your dad can go looking for his ultimate beer experience. He can really discover and share the stories behind the beers. Togetherness, passion, craftsmanship and coziness is what Biercheque is all about: getting to know the brewers while tasting the unique flavors of the beers, but above all getting acquainted with the incredible drive and passion for the product. A superb product for every dad who likes a beer, whether he knows a lot about it or not.

For all hobbies

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

Clean shoes

Sneakerheads: people with a passion for sneakers and everything around them. But the products of First Amsterdam are also for the dad who lovingly cares for his shoes 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’s a collector who already has everything or the type of dad who wears out his one pair of sneakers: with this set everything looks new again.

For every reader

For the dad who likes picking up a book or magazine - or the one who should really do that more often. But choosing a book for someone is still quite difficult. So sometimes the best solution is: let him choose himself. The Book & Magazine gift card can be redeemed at hundreds of bookstores throughout the Netherlands.

Prefer a magazine? Then this 100% tree-free magazine is a unique variant. Happy Times is packed with positive stories about sustainability, impact makers and practical tips. Choose a single issue or go for the bundle of three editions. It’s the kind of gift he may not expect, but then spends the whole Sunday afternoon with on the couch.

An even more surprising gift? Then 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 all year round. The kind of gift that the dad who already has everything doesn’t know yet, and the dad who wants nothing can’t refuse - because it’s at once 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 combines the best of both worlds with handmade granite whiskey stones, a precision cigar cutter and a minimalist granite ashtray. Whether your dad is a beginner 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 really have it. For your dad (or for yourself).

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

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

The Sportsgiftcard can be spent at thousands of sports venues and stores throughout the Netherlands. From a padel lesson to new running shoes - he chooses what he needs. Exactly the solution for the dad who seems to already own all sports gear: because there’s always something that needs replacing or adding.

And for the dad who spends his weekends at the hardware store there is the Kluscadeau. Redeemable at the best-known DIY stores in the Netherlands. Because yes, he always needs something for that one project. And even if he says he wants nothing - ask him if he needs anything for the renovation and you’ll get a list longer than his grocery list.

Finish it off: tips that make every gift better

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

Write a card. Sounds old-fashioned, but a sincere message makes any gift ten times more special. It doesn’t have to be a novel - a few sentences about why you chose this gift is enough. At Cadeo you can also add a digital personal message. Even the toughest ‘I don’t need anything’ dad will go quiet at that.

Arrange breakfast. Simple, always a hit. Fresh rolls, orange juice, a good cup of coffee - and the gift alongside it. It’s the combination of attention and something tasty that does it. Who says no to a set table with treats and loved ones?

Plan something together. The best gifts are moments. Cook that recipe from the new cookbook together. Do a BBQ evening with the new tools. Go to that sports match together. The gift is the occasion, the time together is the real present. And that’s ultimately what every dad appreciates most - even the one who won’t say it out loud.

Doubting? Let him choose himself

Even after sixteen suggestions, you may still be unsure. Maybe your dad 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 make sure it’s a hit.

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

And the best part? If he’d rather have something else than what you first chose, he can quietly exchange the gift - without you noticing anything. No awkward moment, no disappointment. The perfect solution for the impossible dad.

We think things should work out just fine for Father’s Day this year. And the most important thing is actually the simplest: spend time together and let him know you’re thinking of him. Because that’s ultimately what every dad loves to receive most.