Sunday, June 21st is Father’s Day! Don’t know what to get that special dad in your life? No worries—Useful Things has plenty of affordable gifts for you to choose from. We have gifts for all kinds of dads—outdoorsy dads, business dads, entertainer dads, traveling dads, handy-man dads, and more. The list below will get your started, but if you don’t see anything that fits your dad, be sure to check out our full shop menu.
Outdoorsy Dad
Classic Camping Tool
Is your dad the outdoor adventure type? If so, this Classic Camping Tool will fit him perfectly. Great for hikers, campers, fishermen, hunters, and more, the Classic Camping Tool is equipped with six essential tools all in one handy compact device–a knife, fork spoon, bottle opener, file, and corkscrew. Made with stainless steel, and measuring only 3.5 x 1 x .5 inches, the Classic Camping Tool is extremely portable and durable.
Classic Camping Tool from Useful Things.
Sun Jar
Made from the traditional frosted mason jar that houses an efficient solar cell, a rechargeable battery, and 3 low-energy LED lamps, the Sun Jar provides up to five hours of warm light. 100% waterproof, the Sun Jar can be used outdoors and will automatically activate when it gets dark. Use it on porches, decks, in the garden, or around the hot tub or pool.
Sun Jar from Useful Things.
Solar Hand Crank Radio
With the Solar Hand Crank Radio, Dad will never miss an important game or news broadcast again. The Solar Hand Crank Radio will play for seven hours when fully charged by the sun’s rays, or hand crank it for 2 minutes for an hour of use. Measuring only 3.25 x 3 x 2.25 inches, Dad can take this radio nearly anywhere he goes—out on the lake, into the woods, or just the back deck.
Solar Hand Crank Radio from Useful Things.
Handy-Man Dad
Pocket Ref
This ultra compact reference guide contains hundreds of pages of all-purpose information that any DIY dad will love. Packed with maps, tables, formulas, dimensions, measurements, and tons more, the Pocket Ref will help dad with any project, from carpentry to automotive maintenance, computers, electronics, math, first aid, and much, much more. Its small size will allow him to pack it wherever he goes.
Pocket Ref from Useful Things.
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things
Featuring 80+ projects, Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things will teach your handy dad how to use common household items in ways he never thought possible. The projects range from survival tools to quirky gadgets and crafts, and each project comes with instructions and diagrams for easy use. Examples of projects include:
Using an FM radio to eavesdrop on aircraft broadcasts
Making a fire extinguisher from pantry items
Turning dishwasher liquid into a copy machine
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things from Useful Things.
Urawaza—Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan
Containing over 100 secret lifestyle tricks from Japan, Dad will learn how to do all sorts of things, from freshening stale coffee, to making a piece of soap big again. With these secret tricks and tips, he’s bound to be the handiest dad on the block!
Urawaza–Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan from Useful Things.
Little Helper Magnifying Glass
If Dad’s projects often require an extra set of hands, he’ll appreciate having a Little Helper. The Little Helper has two alligator spring clips, a magnifying glass, and six ball joints, that allow you to position, lock, and closely examine objects at any angle—hands free. It’s the perfect companion for model making, soldering, electronics, and more.
Little Helper from Useful Things.
Business Dad
50 Year Calendar
This attractive brushed metal 50 year calendar would make a great addition to any dad’s desk. Simply line up the month and year of choice, and the monthly calendar will appear at the bottom of the dial. Its solidity and non-skid base allow it to also double as a paperweight.
50 Year Calendar from Useful Things.
Puzzle Block Desk Calendar
Featuring Lego style blocks, this 65 piece desk calendar is a cool and fun way to organize the work day, week, and/or month. Use the included icon blocks to flag special days so you won’t forget an important meeting or date ever again. The Puzzle Block Desk Calendar comes with an instruction sheet that gives seven different examples of how a desk calendar can be built, but don’t be afraid to let your imagination loose and play!
Puzzle Block Desk Calendar from Useful Things.
Classic Desk Bell
The Classic Desk Bell’s stainless steel dome and black base adds an elegant touch of class to the desk or workspace. Four inches in diameter. $7.95.
Classic Desk Bell from Useful Things.
Entertainer Dad
Cheese Board with Four Stainless Steel Utensils
If your dad likes to throw dinner parties, cocktail parties, Super Bowl parties, or anything in between, he’s sure to appreciate this Cheese Board and Four Stainless Steel Utensils. The set comes with an 8″ x 8″ x ¾” thick butcher block, and four different cutting tools that make cheese sampling easy and stylish. $19.95.
Cheese Board with Four Stainless Steel Utensils from Useful Things.
Ice Shot Glass Molds
These silicone molded shot glasses are all kinds of fun. Just fill the shooters with your favorite mixers and spirits and pop them in the freezer for cold, perfectly formed shot glass shooter cubes.
Ice Shot Glass Molds from Useful Things.
Wall Mounted Bottle Opener
Made with chrome plated cast iron, this sturdy Wall Mounted Bottle Opener is sure to find a home in Dad’s world. At only 2.5″ x 3″, Dad can mount it in the garage, workshop, kitchen, bar, or even on the patio.
Wall Mounted Bottle Opener from Useful Things.
Bar Compass—16 Drink Recipes
With 16 classic cocktail recipes, the Bar Compass will make it easy for Dad to throw the ultimate cocktail party. And with the complete instructions, including portion size and garnishes, the guests can even make their own! Recipes include: Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Bloody Mary, Margarita, Martini, White Russian, and more.
Bar Compass–16 Drink Recipes from Useful Things.
Traveling Dad
Stainless Steel Manicure Set
This compact manicure set includes six stainless steel tools in an attractive stainless steel case—a pair of large nail clippers, a pair of small nail clippers, a pocket knife, cuticle pushers, cuticle scissors, and precision tweezers. At only 4″ x 3″ x 1″, Dad can pack it in any luggage.
Stainless Steel Manicure Set from Useful Things.
Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn
Particularly suited for the business traveler, this pocket-sized Lint Brush and Shoehorn will have Dad looking his best wherever he goes. The two-in-one tool folds flat, so it only takes up 3.75″ of space, and the anodized aluminum cover (which serves as the shoehorn) is abuse resistant. $6.95.
Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn from Useful Things.
USB Battery Charger
Plug the power station of this battery charger into any USB port—on your computer, for example– and you can charge two AA batteries in 4-6 hours. The charger will automatically turn off once the batteries are fully charged, and a safety circuit prevents overcharging. The USB Battery Charger comes with 2 AA nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries.
USB Battery Charger from Useful Things.
Point It—Traveller’s Language Kit
Dad won’t have to worry about not knowing the local language if he has the Point It—Traveller’s Language Kit. With 1200 photos from over 100 different countries, this compact assistant allows you to simply point to an object to ask for what you want.
Point It–Traveller’s Language Kit from Useful Things.
General
Cube Clock
What dad doesn’t love a little child-like nostalgia? This Cube Clock, styled after the Rubik’s Cube, one of the greatest puzzle toys ever invented, is indeed a working clock. It also has an alarm, calendar, and temperature gauge.
Cube Clock from Useful Things.
Suck Calendar Tape
Suck Calendar Tape sticks to desktops, refrigerators, and dashboards, so Dad will never miss an appointment or special event again. Comes with a roll of tape and a black marker.
Suck Calendar Tape from Useful Things.
Insults and Comebacks
Be ready to retort! This pocket-sized reference book is packed with over 500 insults and comebacks, so you’re sure to have the perfect response to every incoming comment and/or insult. $7.95.
Insults and Comebacks from Useful Things.