Choosing gifts for dad on Father’s Day can be tricky, especially when he seems to have it all. If you’re looking to give him something more thoughtful – and useful – than a striped tie or pair of novelty socks, we’re here to help. From a classy notebook to a neat portable speaker, all of these gift ideas come in at under $50.  

A series of Father’s Day gift ideas, shown on a green background. Products include a violet-coloured multifunction pen, a teal hardshell tech case and a white kettle.

Best Office Essentials for Father’s Day  

A dad who packs his work lunch is a dad who knows that leftovers taste better the next day. Help him house his favourite meals with a handy Thermos container, which has a folding spoon that fits into the lid and will keep his meals warm for up to nine hours and cold for up to 14 hours.

For dads whose phone screens have seen their fair share of scrapes and scratches, a hardshell case offers the protection he needs while on the go. It has a polycarbonate exterior to keep his device insulated from knocks and bumps, as well as a padded lining to prevent screen scratches. It also has pockets so he can also stash his travel card, tissues and other essentials.

If he’s a fan of a morning cuppa or a midday brew, or even a cheeky cup of instant noodles, the Russell Hobbs Eden Kettle is the way to do it. Now he can have a stylish kettle in his kitchen that comes with a removable, washable anti-scale filter to make sure his brews are always fresh. 

Dads who appreciate the versatility of a Swiss Army knife will love the Pilot Evolt multifunction pen, which features two different coloured pens, a mechanical pencil and eraser all-in-one. It's cleverly designed to be ready for anything; its clip makes it easy to secure to his shirt pocket and its ink and pencil leads are refillable, so it’ll be a lifelong pal.

What to Try

SEE ALSO: Thoughtful Gifts for Dad Under $20

A series of Father’s Day gift ideas, shown on a green background. Products include a red notebook and a watercolour paint set.

Father’s Day Essentials for Dads Who Love to Draw and Write

Sure, he has a pile of regular notebooks but do they truly inspire him when he writes? Gifting him a Moleskine puts him in the cool cohort of famous creatives, like Picasso, Van Gogh and Hemingway, who used this style of notebook. It’s timeless, with its famous ribbon placeholder, handy for referring back to his notes, thoughts and ideas. 

For the dad who loves artwork on his walls, inspire him to start exploring his own creative side with a fresh set of paints – or you can both sit down and paint together. The Born watercolour set has 48 colours and can be used to paint on paper and canvas, and comes in a handy carry case.   

What to Try

A series of Father’s Day gift ideas, shown on a green background. Products include a black gaming mouse with RGB lighting, a dark blue laptop sleeve and a green Kindle cover.

Father’s Day Tech Gifts Under $50

If your dad’s mouse is still stuck in the era of dial-up internet, the Typhoon Pro RGB Advanced Mouse is the perfect upgrade to enhance his gaming experience. With its four programmable thumb buttons, he'll be gaming like a pro in no time. The RGB backlights add a splash of colour to match his style, while the wired connection ensures a reliable performance. 

Dad’s laptop is a serious investment, so why not give it the protection it deserves? The Rivacase Vertical Laptop Sleeve is perfectly designed for slim laptop models and has features Dad will love, including memory foam construction for impressive cushioning and a double zip fastener. 

Does he wax lyrical about the joys of using his Kindle? The Strapsicle Clutch will help keep his e-reader protected on the go. It’s made from soft, high-quality silicone so feels nice to the touch and is easy to wipe clean. 

What to Try