Unwrapped: Gifts Your Dad Will Actually Love

'Tis officially the season for gift-giving. For us, it’s 31 days of gift giving; for a month, we’ll be providing gift ideas for everyone on your list—from your hard-to-please parents to your ’90s-loving BFF and even your spoiled pet. Filled with creative picks that got our pulses racing, our Unwrapped holiday gift guides will make Christmas shopping a breeze this holiday season.

When it comes to our dads, we can occasionally get stumped on what to get them; not least because they claim to never need or want anything, a lie that uncovers itself when they show you something that they’ve been “dying to try out for months,” the very week after they told you that they don’t want anything for their birthday. Okay dad, whatever you say, you're still getting that Christmas gift, though.

No pressure but, chances are, you've put him through a lot over the years; he deserves something really special and unique. Not that you can ever repay him and make up for it with a Christmas gift, but why not at least try with something that goes beyond socks and ties? Whether you're shopping for your own dad, the father of your child, or a friend with kids, we scouted near and far to find the perfect gift for the important male figure in our life that shows how we don't take him and his efforts for granted. Ahead, 21 picks, ranging from the skin care they'd never splurge on for themselves (but really should!) to the techy accessories and boozy picks that even the most discerning dads will actually need, want, and love this holiday season.

Aesop, The Intrepid Gent, $92, available at Aesop.

This is the most luxurious gift you can give any skin-care obsessed dad. Responsible for some of the best unisex products out there, Aesop surprised us this season with the most incredible holiday collection. Titled Pursuits of Passion, the six remarkably packaged gift kits are inspired by famed naturalists celebrated for their writing and illustrations. Honoring Andrew Leith Adams, The Intrepid Gent kit contains the ultimate essentials for the groomed man: the brand's signature face cleanser, Moroccan neroli post-shave lotion, and the coriander seed body cleanser. No dad will be able to resist.

Uniqlo, Heattech Ultra Warm Long-Sleeve T-shirt, $19.90, available at Uniqlo.

If your dad is of the outdoorsy variety, he will want to buy 10 more of these shirts, equipped with Uniqlo's brand-new Heattech Ultra Warm technology, once presented with this gift. Up to 1.5 times warmer and more thermal-resistant than Uniqlo's regular Heattech system, it's a can't-lose gift.

Clarisonic, Alpha Fit Cleansing Gift Set, $219, available at Clarisonic.

While every woman and beauty obsessed human by this point knows the benefits, not to mention remarkable results, of using a facial cleansing brush, your dad might be unaware of what his skin is really missing out on. Gift him, then, the mini miracle worker and watch him marvel over the smoothest skin he's ever had. Equipped with an extra brush and a cleanser, this gift set is one he won't forget for a while.

Paper Source, Scratch-off Beer Poster Scratch-off Beer Poster, $39.95, available at Paper Source; Eliza Todd, Life By Definition Whiskey Glasses, $38, available at UncommonGoods; Bitterman’s, Himalayan Salt Tequila Shot Glasses, $29.95, available at Sur La Table.

No matter what your dad's drink of choice is, you are sure to make him happy with ones of these gifts. The beer drinkers will have a challenge in checking (or more like scratching) off each craft beer off of the map of brews, the whiskey connoisseurs will appreciate the whimsically worded glasses, and the adventurous types will enjoy the good-to-the-last-drop tequila libation coming out this salt-made shot glass.

Shinola, The Guardian Watch, $675, available at Shinola.

If your man values his time, he will love this watch from this Detroit-based company which based its now-iconic rise on watch-making in 2011 (they now produce everything from bikes and leather goods to turntables and corkscrews). Boasting a brand-new rounded square shape, this timeless timepiece will remind him of you every time he looks at his wrist. Plus, with a name like Guardian, you know that this is a gift made for a dad.

Hugo Boss, Boss The Scent, $69, available at Macy's; Gucci, Guilty Platinum Pour Homme, $88, available at Sephora; Rag & Bone, Oddity Eau de Parfum, $140, available at Rag & Bone.

There are two types of dad camps when it comes to colognes: experimentalists and classics. For the former camp, there are Rag & Bone's new unisex scents, of which our favorite is the charmingly named Oddity, an exquisite fragrance featuring notes of black pepper, incense, and leather; for the latter, there are two beloved go-tos that never go out of style. Gucci's Guilty got the collector's edition platinum treatment for the holidays, while Hugo Boss' Boss got a Darren Aronofsky film and a dreamy new campaign star in Theo James. 

Raden, The A22 Carry, $295, available at Raden.

For the ultimate jet-setting dad, there is no better gift than luggage. Newly launched brand Raden doesn't just make any luggage but the smartest luggage there is. The sleek case, available in three sizes and connected to a phone app, boasts a built-in charger, a handle that doubles as a weight scale, and remarkable location capabilities. The neat design and the range of matte and glossy colors (we're coveting the metallics) are just the cherry on top of this travel tech marvel.

Harry's, Winter Winston Set, $30, available at Harry's.

Help the dad in your life achieve the perfect shave with this set featuring a limited-edition razor, foaming gel, three blade cartridge, and a blade cover from this design-forward grooming brand. Throw in an extra $15 and get the midnight blue handle engraved with initials to make it truly your gift recipient's own. The most sophisticated of dads will love this extra touch.

SuitSupply, Light Gray Plain Pajamas, $129, available at SuitSupply.

We don't like to play favorites but we'll say this: SuitSupply makes some of the best suits out there. Extremely well-fitted and flattering to most body types, these suits may be a little more expensive than our Christmas allowance permits our gift to be. Consider these pajamas the equivalent of a sleep suit that will make any man look dapper the last time before he goes to bed and the first thing when he wakes up.

Boy Smells, Candle in 'Ash,' $28, available at Urban Outfitters.

If the dad you're gifting has a great sense of humor, there is no way he won't appreciate this sassy candle from L.A-based brand Boy Smells. Especially after getting a whiff of the heavenly scent composed of firewood, smoke, charcoal, and Palo Santo. It's truly something every Boy loves.

Canary, Flex HD security camera, $199, available at Canary.

If the dad in your life is always concerned for the safety of everyone around him regardless of the surroundings, he will dig this smart security camera which he can use to check on home no matter where he is in the world. Canary also detects literally any unusual activity in your hom, allowing you to view video of what's happening, and, if need be, contact the police, fire department, and EMS. Dads of two-legged and four-legged children will similarly love this gift.

Too much of a splurge or seems like too serious for the dad in question? Get this camera drone. It's awesome.

Emoji Universe, 2-Ply Professional Practice Golf Balls, $29.94, available at Jet.

Does you dad need another refresher on what each emoji means what? Make it easy on him by taking him out for his favorite pastime and sneak in an emoji crash course while you're at it. It will be worth it when he stops sending all the embarrassingly wrong emojis in group texts.

Kikkerland, BBQ Briefcase Grill, $76, available at Wayfair.

Dad shows up to an outdoor party. Dad opens his briefcase. Dad grills burgers on his briefcase. Need we say more?

Pinch Provisions, Binge-Watching Survival Kit, $20, available at Pinche Provisions.

Did you get him hooked on Westworld or Black Mirror over Thanksgiving break? It's your cross to bear now. Make your mom's life bearable again by gifting your dad this kit containing marathon essentials like coasters, socks, snack clip, breath freshener, face cleansing towelettes, and a sofa yoga guide.

The Men's Store at Bloomingdale's, Fairisle Scarf, $40.60, available at Bloomingdale's.

Wrap him in a hug and present him with a gift that will keep on enveloping him all winter long. He'll love the reversible designs and the soft fabric.

Jason Markk, Premium Shoe Cleaning Kit, $16, available at Jack Threads.

If your dad is anything like mine, he probably polishes his shoes every day and pointed out when your shoes were looking even a little bit unsanitary. If he is exactly like my dad, this interaction would end up with your dad actually cleaning your shoes in the middle of the night, so unable is he to withstand the thought of them remaining dirty overnight. For those dads, Jason Markk makes the best cleaning and shoe care supplies including this suede cleaning kit and these quick wipes.

Toms, Black Teal Tribal Wool Slippers, $49, available at Toms.

If your man is one of those fathers who still boasts that he bought his favorite shoes in 2006 from this small company called Toms that gave a pair of shoes to someone in need (because dads ultimately love to give back), he will be very excited about these newly launched adult slippers from the superbrand. Now he can have new bragging rights over the fact that he was the first of dads to know that Toms came out with slippers for grown-ups.

Kristals, Aquamarine Post Shave Relief, $129.95, available at Kristals.

Who says gemstones are only a girl's best friend? This post-shave lotion, infused with actual aquamarine, promises to sooth skin, replenish moisture, and combat aging. Also your dad will never get this for himself, so you might as well treat him to what he truly deserves.

Smathers and Branson, Chick Magnet Needlepoint Cufflinks, $55, available at Smathers and Branson.

We'll be first to say: this gift is not for most dads. But if your relationship with him resembles that of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, there is no way that he won't let out that contagious belly laugh upon first seeing these cufflinks.

Imperial Barber Products, 3:1 Complete Hair & Body, $24, available at Imperial Barber Products.

If he refuses to believe that he needs anything more than a bar of drugstore soap, give in... sort of. While this three-in-one shampoo, conditioner, and body wash will satisfy his minimal ways, it will give you a peace of mind to know that this product is the creation of two of L.A.'s hippest barbers.

Bateman Skincare, Zinc + Clay Mask, $40, available at Bateman Skincare.

If your dad is the type to steal your mom's pore-purifying strips, it's time to upgrade him and get a product of his own (and relieve him of the embarrassment that comes up whenever your mom brings it up in public). Look no further than Bateman Skincare's clay mask that will deep clean his face and unclog his pores without drying his face.  

Check out more of our Unwrapped gift guides here.