Dadvice Weekly #15 / What Dads Want For Christmas - Survey Findings
How to holiday shop for the modern dad in 2025
Dads, let’s talk about the annual gift-giving gauntlet.
It’s that time of year when we submit the dreaded list to our spouse, who then disseminates it to the extended family. Will the in-laws adhere to the plan, or will they go rogue? It’s anyone’s guess!
Getting the “list” ready this year got me thinking about how my own gift preferences have shifted over the years, and it also made me ask the question:
Why is it so notoriously difficult to shop for fathers?
Think about it. How many gift cards, Pro V1s, and ties have you given to your dad over the years for birthdays, Fathers’ Days, and Christmases? While I’m sure those gifts were appreciated, the reality is receiving a thoughtful gift is inherently meaningful. The easy approach—golf balls and gift cards—feels like an offloading of the “happy burden” of choosing something more specific and meaningful for someone you value.
To move beyond the guesswork, we undertook a small, focused study to establish an evidence-based framework for shopping for the modern father in 2025.
Methodology: Defining the Modern Dad’s Gift Preferences
We surveyed 23 fathers, gathering both quantitative and qualitative data on gift preferences. Our questions covered key variables: preferred budget ranges, ideal quantity of items, and the balance between practical necessity and personal indulgence.
We also captured qualitative narratives by asking dads to recount their best and worst Christmas gifts. This helped us understand the underlying emotional factors that distinguish a memorable gift from a meaningless one.
Key Findings
The data presented several surprising departures from common retail assumptions about gifts for men.
Finding 1: Hobby Gear Ranks First; Tech Ranks Last.
When asked to rank five common gift categories, the results strongly indicated a preference for items tailored to specific tastes over generic items.
Hobby Gear & Supplies ranked first, with a highly specific average score of 1.67 out of 5 (where 1 is most preferred). This suggests fathers respond most positively to items that directly support their unique, defined interests. No surprise there.
Tech & Electronics ranked last, with an average score of 4.2. This is a significant finding, as most mainstream holiday guides default to new gadgets; the data shows dads prioritize items tied to their personal passions above generic tech & electronic devices, at least in this small survey of fathers.
Finding 2: Dads Prefer Multiple Useful Items Over One Expensive Item.
The budget analysis revealed an unexpected relationship between quantity and perceived value. Dads were not seeking a single, highly expensive luxury item.
For gifts involving just 1–2 items, most kept the preferred budget under $100.
However, when the quantity increased to 3–5 items, 75% of fathers indicated that the $100–$250 total budget range was appropriate.
This suggests the preference is for a bundle of useful, well-selected items rather than a singular, costly item.
Finding 3: The Ideal Gift is “Elevated Practical,” Not Pure Luxury.
On a 5-point scale measuring gift type (1 = very practical, 5 = very indulgent), the average response landed at 3.3.
This suggests gifts should not be purely utilitarian (like routine household supplies), nor pure luxury. The ideal gift is a practical item that has been thoughtfully elevated—something they need, but also enjoy, and often put off purchasing for themselves.
Qualitative Insights: The Anatomy of a Thoughtful Gift
The stories we collected reinforced our analysis.
The best gifts shared consistent elements: they demonstrated that the giver had paid close attention to the recipient’s life; they were often thoughtful surprises (e.g. an item related to a niche hobby); or they facilitated shared experiences (e.g. a high-quality building kit to assemble with a child).
The worst gifts followed predictable patterns of low effort: repeated, generic apparel (sweaters received year after year); impersonal items (unwanted collectibles); or items that showed a complete lack of listening (trade show swag, misplaced stocking fillers).
To sum it up, the data shows the value of gift giving for dads is found not in the price tag, but in the effort and attention invested by the giver. The gifts fathers value most successfully either solve a defined problem in their daily lives or serve as tangible evidence that their specific interests and passions are seen and understood.
If this piques your interest, check out a more complete analysis of the data below.
Preferences shift over time, and you know your dad better than me, so take all this with a grain of salt. But the core finding is simple: personalization and evidence of attention far outweigh the importance of what a gift costs, and multiple, well-researched, useful items often surpass a single, generic luxury purchase. -KC
Interested in participating in future surveys? Drop us an email at dadviceweekly@gmail.com and we’ll add you to the list.
With these findings in mind, here are our ideas for better holiday gift giving this year:
Premium Sports Tickets
If you’re like me, one of the best things you can do is catch a game for a team you love. Living in Colorado, I’m always checking schedules for those rare matchups like when Baylor plays CU or the Astros visit the Rockies. It doesn’t happen often, so when it does, I go for a better seat than I normally would. It turns a great day into an unforgettable one.
This is a fantastic gift idea: a premium seat for a team you follow. It’s not just a ticket; it’s an experience. Right now, you’ve still got a few college football games left, NBA is heating up, and there are some NFL games before playoffs. Keep an eye on your college football team’s bowl projections too because those can make for an epic holiday surprise. Another good route could be a gift card to Seat Geek or StubHub so you can buy the tickets when you see them later. -SW
Opinel Carbon Steel Knives
I picked up my first Opinel No. 8 about five years ago. It opens packages, cuts fruit, handles whatever random task comes up. It’s lightweight, well crafted, and around $20. The carbon steel holds an edge well and sharpens easily when it needs it. The No. 8 is their original size, but they also come larger and smaller. They sell out regularly once restocked, so I’d click that “email when available” button. I only own one but wouldn’t mind having five scattered around. You can’t go wrong with one of these in the stocking. -KC
Rhoback Golf Polos
Over the years I’ve collected several Rhoback shirts as birthday and Christmas gifts, and they’ve become staples in my closet. These aren’t your average polos. They’re high-quality, comfortable, and I think the designs are really cool. Honestly, I’d have a hard time buying one randomly during the year because they’re on the pricier side, but Christmas and birthday gifts they are perfect.
A few standout styles worth mentioning:
College Logos – I love these for wearing Baylor gear in a cool way.
State Patterns – Living in Colorado, my favorite shirt is the green Texas pattern. It’s unique and always gets compliments.
Dog Patterns – As a golden retriever owner, I think it’s fun to wear a shirt with a golden retriever design.
If you’re struggling to think of what to ask for and you like wearing golf polos to work or just hanging out, Rhoback is a great choice. It’s a gift that feels premium and lasts for years. -SW
Uni Alpha-Gel Jetstream
My favorite pen of all time. The Jetstream writes smoother than any ballpoint I’ve ever used. The metal frame gives it a solid weight that feels good in your hand, and the squishy grip is super comfortable. The ink cartridge is replacable (and very affordable), so you’re not tossing a $10 pen in the trash every few months. I keep one in my work bag, one at my desk, and one in my bedside drawer. If you’re someone who is on a perpetual quest to find the perfect pen, look no further. Available on Amazon. -KC
Blanton’s Bourbon
In the last few years I’ve gotten into trying different bourbons. My favorite bottle factoring in price and taste so far is Blanton’s. It’s an iconic bottle that isn’t as expensive as the most premium options, but it’s notoriously hard to find. If you ever see a bottle for $85 or less, buy it instantly.
Blanton’s is a great bottle to have on your shelf and even better for sipping. When you decide to open it, whoever you’re with will love it. In my life, I’ve only gotten two bottles, and I can remember exactly where I was when I opened the first one. The second is sitting on our bar cart, waiting for the right occasion.
This is a fantastic item to put on your Christmas list. It might be tough for someone to track down, but if they do, it’s a meaningful gift for any bourbon lover or even a casual drinker. -SW
Seiko 5 Sports Watches
If you’re looking to splurge, why not dip a toe into luxury watches? Seiko 5 Sports (starting at about $300) are a great place to start. They started back in the 60s with five promises: an automatic movement (no battery needed), a day/date display, water resistance, a super durable case, and a stylish 4 o’clock crown placement. They are absolute workhorses built to be tough enough for daily life. They come in so many styles too, from field watches to dive-inspired bezels. For the price, you get a reliable, in-house mechanical movement and a watch that has an incredible history. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of “real” watch collecting without spending thousands, and you can truly wear it without worrying about scratching it. -KC
Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.
If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking stuff that works well. Glad you’re here.