Buying a gift for dad sounds simple — until it’s not. Every year, the same question pops up: what do you actually buy a dad that isn’t boring, generic, or just another pair of socks?
As the founder of Rowland Designs, a personalised gift business, I’ve seen first hand what people buy for dads, the challenges they face, and what truly makes dads smile. This guide is based on real customer behaviour, best-selling products, and years of experience helping people find meaningful gifts — not just last-minute purchases. So if you’ve ever typed “where to buy gifts for dad” into Google, here’s the honest answer.
Why Buying Gifts for Dad Is Harder Than It Should Be
The problem isn’t a lack of options — it’s that most options feel the same. Over the years running a personalised gift store, I’ve noticed two main patterns. First, many people panic-buy at the last minute, which often results in dads receiving generic gifts (yes… socks again). Second, mass-produced gifts rarely feel personal or thoughtful, no matter how much effort you put in.
That’s why more people are turning to independent brands and personalised gifts instead of big retailers. These options tend to offer something unique and meaningful that dads actually appreciate.
Where Should You Buy Gifts for Dad?
From my experience, independent and personalised gift brands are the best place to look if you want a gift that feels thoughtful and unique. At Rowland Designs, personalised gifts stand out because they aren’t just products — they’re keepsakes. You can customise them with names or messages, and they often have better quality and more care put into the design compared to mass-produced items.
Big stores might be convenient, but their gifts rarely have that personal touch. On the other hand, independent brands focus on materials and details that make a gift truly special.
Online marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy are popular because of their huge selection and quick delivery. However, many products on these sites are mass-produced, personalisation options can be limited, and quality is often inconsistent. They’re great if you’re short on time but less ideal if you want something meaningful.
Local shops and boutiques let you see the product quality in person, which is a bonus. Still, many high-street shops offer fairly generic gifts — nice, but not personal.
What People Actually Buy for Dads (Real Data From Our Store)
Running a personalised gift business gives me unique insight into what really sells. Some of our most popular dad gifts include personalised travel mugs, which are practical and used daily by dads who commute, garden, DIY, or just enjoy a cuppa. These mugs are more meaningful because they fit into everyday life, unlike decorative gifts that might sit unused.
If you’d like to explore more ideas beyond these examples, you can browse our full range of personalised gifts for him here.
Another surprise bestseller is our personalised tea and biscuit boards. These reflect how dads often relax — enjoying tea and snacks while winding down. We see a big spike in sales around Father’s Day and Christmas, proving that practical plus personalised works.
Small but sentimental gift options like wallet card inserts are also favourites. These are often bought by daughters, sons, or mums on behalf of children and are cherished because dads carry them everywhere.
And yes, socks still sell — but our personalised mug and socks gift sets elevate this classic gift into something fun and meaningful.
Who Actually Buys Gifts for Dad?
Most buyers tend to be daughters and sons, mums buying on behalf of young children, and partners. Interestingly, many customers aren’t looking for luxury gifts but for meaningful ones that show thought and care.
How Much Do People Spend on Gifts for Dad?
From analysing our orders, the sweet spot for spending is around £40. This amount feels affordable yet thoughtful, enough to give a premium feel without breaking the bank. Plus, it often allows you to combine a couple of smaller personalised items for a more impactful gift.
The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Buying Dad Gifts
Based on years of experience, the most common pitfalls are leaving gift buying to the last minute, which leads to rushed and generic choices; picking gifts with no emotional meaning; and defaulting to socks — again. The best gifts tend to combine practical use with personal meaning and sometimes a touch of humour or sentiment.
What Dads Actually Love (Based on Real Buying Behaviour)
If I were to rank what people really want to buy for dads, personalised gifts top the list, followed by funny, sentimental, practical, and affordable items. The ideal gift is something practical, personal, and slightly emotional — which is why our personalised mugs and tea boards often outperform luxury items.
My Honest Answer: Where Should You Buy a Gift for Your Dad?
If you want convenience, big retailers or online marketplaces are the way to go. But if you want meaning, independent or personalised brands are your best bet. For quality, it pays to look beyond mass-produced products. A thoughtful personalised gift almost always beats a generic one, even if the price is the same.
Final Thought: Let’s Retire the “Just Socks” Gift
Dads don’t need another forgettable present. Whether it’s for Father’s Day, a birthday, Christmas, or just because, the best gifts are personal and useful. From running a personalised gift business, I can confidently say that the gifts people remember are never the generic ones.
For seasonal inspiration, you can also explore our curated Father’s Day gifts collection here.
If you’re searching for meaningful, personalised gifts for dads, explore our collection of custom mugs, tea boards, wallet cards, and gift sets designed to feel thoughtful, fun, and sentimental — without breaking the bank. For more inspiration, check out our top personalised Father’s Day gifts or discover the best grandad gifts that he’ll actually use. And if you want to know more about celebrating Father’s Day in the UK, we have you covered there too.
Whether you’re buying for Dad, Mum, Grandma, Grandad, your partner, or someone special, a personalised gift always feels more thoughtful than something generic. At Rowland Designs, we create fun, sentimental, and meaningful gifts designed to make every occasion feel special — not just another pair of socks.
Explore all personalised gifts here: https://www.rowlanddesigns.co.uk/
