Practical Gifts for Dad: What My Handy Husband Actually Wants

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My husband works in the trades. He uses tools all day, then comes home and uses more of them, in the garage, in the yard and on whatever 1970s project car he's working on right now. He has several. Our 10-year-old is usually out there with him, handing him things and learning how it all goes back together.

He's not a hard person to buy for, as long as you skip the novelty mugs. He wants things he'll actually use. So here are the practical gifts for dad that have earned a place in our garage, plus two I'd buy him next.

For the tool guy

A DeWalt impact driver. He's a DeWalt guy, and this is the tool he reaches for most. His DeWalt impact driver goes from job site to garage to putting together whatever I ordered online. If your dad doesn't have one, this is the gift.

A DeWalt circular saw. His DeWalt circular saw is the other one that gets used constantly, inside and out. If he already has the batteries from his drill, a saw on the same battery is an easy win.

For the garage

A mechanic's creeper. If he works on cars, get him one. His mechanic's creeper really saves his back, and after a full day of work, that matters.

A rechargeable headlamp. Under a car, a flashlight needs a third hand. His rechargeable headlamp keeps both hands free, and he never has to hunt for batteries.

A magnetic parts tray. This one is on my list for him this year. A magnetic parts tray holds bolts and screws in one place, so nothing rolls under the car. It's small and cheap, and it solves a problem every car guy has.

An LED shop light. Also on my list. Most garages are lit by one bulb and good intentions. A bright LED shop light makes the garage somewhere you can actually see what you're doing after dark.

For the fun stuff

A clever car shirt. He loves a shirt with a good joke on it, especially if it's about cars. This funny car shirt is one he actually wears.

Something sweet. He loves desserts, and he's had these before and loved them. A David's Cookies gift box is the easy add-on, or the whole gift if you're shopping late.

If your dad isn't the garage type

Not every dad wants a creeper for Christmas. The same rule still works: pick something for the thing he already does every week. A few ideas by hobby:

The griller. A good meat thermometer, a set of long grill tools, or a rub sampler he wouldn't buy for himself.

The coffee dad. An insulated travel mug that actually keeps it hot until lunch, or a bag of beans from a local roaster.

The outdoors dad. Warm wool socks, a camp chair that folds small, or a good pocket knife.

The sports fan. A hat or jersey from his team, or tickets to a game you go to together.

The reader or podcast dad. A book by an author he already likes, or a pair of wireless earbuds for the commute.

The one who's always cold. A heated vest or a thick flannel-lined jacket.

The dad who wants nothing. Time. An afternoon to himself, a night out with you, or the kids taking over one of his chores for a month.

How I pick a gift for him

One question: will he use it this month? If it goes in the garage and comes back out, it's a good gift. If it goes in a drawer, it isn't. That's the same rule I use for the kids when I'm doing Christmas on a budget with six kids.

And if you're shopping for mom too, here are ten gifts for the mom who wants nothing.