Gifts for a dad who has everything in the UK

Go one step further in a hobby he already has

The dad who has everything has usually bought the first layer of every hobby himself. He has a bike, a coffee maker, a camera and a desk. Your job is to find the piece he has not justified yet.

For a cyclist, that is the Garmin Varia radar light, not another jersey. For a vinyl dad who buys second-hand records, the SPINCARE cleaner washes both sides at once. For the camera owner, the Peak Design Capture clip makes it easier to bring the camera on a walk at all.

Desk dads count too. A dad who works from home often types on whatever keyboard came with the computer. The Logitech MX Keys S fixes that without changing how he works.

Ask a sibling or his partner what he spends weekends on. One answer narrows this list to two or three picks.

Spend on one good thing

Specific beats expensive. The Elvis & Kresse key ring is cut from retired London Fire Brigade hose, and half the range's profits go to a firefighters' charity. That beats a generic gadget at the same price.

The middle band holds most of the hobby upgrades: the radar light, the keyboard, the record cleaner, the Trakke sling, a sourdough class.

At the top, the Farer Marsden is built to stay in a family, and engraving is offered. If siblings are chipping in, pool for it.

Common mistakes

Buying a gadget with a subscription he will not want. The inReach needs a paid satellite plan, so buy it only if he walks the hills beyond signal.

Assuming upkeep is fine. The Trakke bag needs re-waxing and the Farer must be wound every day or two. Some dads enjoy that. Others will leave it in a drawer.

Doubling up. If he has no Garmin head unit or watch, the Varia is less convenient.

Timing and post

Order the watch early; some options were backordered when we checked the shop's page. Royal Mail and couriers slow in December. If time runs out, the British Library gift card arrives by email and can go in a card. For a December birthday or Christmas, the sourdough class voucher is a good fallback too.

Questions people ask

What do you get a dad who has everything?

Find a hobby he already has and buy the next step up, the piece he has not justified buying for himself. A cyclist might get a radar light, a coffee drinker a better grinder, a music listener proper desk speakers. If he has no clear hobby, a lasting item like a wool throw or a good watch for a milestone works well.

What is a good retirement gift for a dad who has everything?

Something tied to the time he now has. A beginner telescope gives him a reason to sit outside at night. A paper planning system suits a dad who likes structure in his day. For a milestone keepsake, a hand-wound watch with engraving marks the occasion and gets used daily.

Is an experience or food gift better for a dad who has everything?

Often, yes, because it adds nothing to the house. A Goldbelly card lets him order food from a city or restaurant he misses, delivered to his door. Be aware that shipping perishables costs a lot, so a small card may only cover one order.

How much should I spend on a dad who has everything?

Spend based on how specific the gift is, not on a target number. A cheap item with a clear story or use beats an expensive generic gadget. For a big birthday or retirement, pool money with siblings and buy one well-made item, such as a watch or wool throw, rather than several mid-priced ones.