Personalised Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Dad

Father’s Day in the UK falls on the third Sunday in June, and every year it seems to sneak up on people. Dads are also notoriously difficult to buy for. Ask what they want and the answer is usually “nothing”, “socks” or “a bit of peace and quiet”.

The good news is that most dads do not actually want more stuff. They want something that shows you thought about them: their bar, their dog, their football team, the kids. That is where a personalised gift earns its place. Below are ideas for every kind of dad, with suggestions for what to put on each one. Everything is made to order in the Laser & Ink workshop in Sowerby Bridge, either laser engraved or printed in full colour.

For the dad with a home bar (or a dream of one)

If his idea of a perfect Saturday involves a cold pint in his own garage, garden or spare room, lean into it. Give the bar a name and make it official.

• Engraved wooden beer mats. A set of engraved wooden beer mats with the bar’s name on the top line and “Est. 2027” or “Landlord: Dad” underneath. Choose from a foaming pint, hops and barley, crossed tankards, or a wine glass and grapes for the wine drinkers.
• His own pint glass. A 20oz engraved pint glass with his name and a title such as “Head Brewer”, “Chief Taster” or simply “Dad’s. Hands Off.” The frosted laser etch will not wash off.
• A photo coaster of the regulars. A favourite photo of him with his mates, engraved into a wooden photo coaster, with the bar name curved around the top.

If he takes his bar seriously, our guide to setting up a home bar has plenty more ideas, and there is a whole collection of personalised home bar gifts.

For the dad who lives at the barbecue

Some dads come alive the moment the sun comes out and the charcoal goes on. Give him the uniform.

• An apron with a rank. “Grill Sergeant” is a classic for a reason, but “Head of Sausages” or “Burger Supervisor, Est. 1998” work just as well. The personalised apron takes a main line, a second line and an optional photo. There is a kids’ size too, so the little sous-chef can match.
• A chopping board for the prep. The glass chopping board is printed on the underside, so knives cannot reach the design. “Dad’s BBQ Shack” with a family photo makes it his and nobody else’s.

For grandads

Grandads want one thing above all others: the grandchildren. Give him a gift that puts them somewhere he will see them every day.

• A mug for his morning brew. A personalised photo mug with a recent picture of the grandchildren and “Grandad’s Tea” (or Pops, Gramps, Grandpa, whatever he answers to). Choose a coloured handle to match his kitchen or his football team.
• A keyring for the car keys. A metal photo keyring with a short message like “Drive safe, Grandad x”.
• Something for the mantelpiece. A photo slate or crystal photo block with all the grandchildren together. Printed gifts handle group photos far better than engraving, because every face keeps its colour and detail.

There are more ideas in our personalised gifts for grandparents collection.

For step-dads and father figures

Father’s Day is not only for biological dads. Step-dads, foster dads, uncles, older brothers and family friends often do just as much of the hard work, and a personalised gift is a lovely way to say you have noticed.

The wording matters more than the item here. A few ideas that tend to land well:

• “Not my first dad, but my favourite one.”
• “Thanks for choosing us.”
• “Bonus Dad · Est. 2019” (use the year he joined the family).
• Simply his name and “Our Dad”, which can say a great deal without any fuss.

Any of these would sit nicely on a pint glass, a mug or an engraved coaster. Keep it warm, keep it short, and let him decide whether to get emotional about it.

For brand-new dads

A first Father’s Day is a big moment, usually experienced on very little sleep. Gifts that combine the new baby with something practical tend to be the most appreciated.

• A mug for the night feeds. A photo of the baby on a photo mug with “Dad’s Coffee. Desperately Needed.” Dishwasher and microwave safe, which matters when the tea keeps going cold.
• A phone case with the newest family member. He is going to be showing photos to everyone anyway. A photo phone case saves him unlocking the phone. Check his exact phone model before you order.
• A water bottle for the school-run years ahead. A stainless steel water bottle with his name and “Est. 2027” as a gentle reminder of when everything changed.

Looking for a gift for the baby too? Our guide to new baby and christening keepsakes has ideas.

For the dad who is always on the move

Commuters, gym-goers and dads who are never seen without a hot drink in hand will get daily use from something portable.

• A big tumbler. The 40oz tumbler with handle and straw holds 1.2 litres, so it covers most of a working day.
• A passport holder for the holiday. If a summer trip is on the cards, a personalised passport holder with his initials makes the airport a little more organised.
• A notebook for the ideas. An A5 notebook with “Dad’s Big Plans” on the cover, for the shed, the allotment or the business idea he keeps mentioning.

What to put on it: quick wording ideas

• His name plus a title: “Steve · Head Brewer”.
• A date that matters: the year he became a dad, or the year he built the bar.
• A family joke: the nickname, the catchphrase, the thing he always says in the car.
• From the kids, in their words: “Best Dad. Says Ruby, age 6.”

Shorter lines engrave and print larger, so if in doubt, cut a word. Every design is checked by a real person before it is made, and if something looks like it will not fit or read well, we will get in touch.

When to order for Father’s Day

Every item is made to order. We make it in 1–3 working days, then Royal Mail delivers in 2–3 working days, with flat £4.99 UK delivery. To be safe, we suggest ordering at least ten days before Father’s Day, and earlier if you are sending several gifts or want time to tweak the design.

One honest note: because personalised items are made just for one person, we cannot accept returns for a change of mind. If anything arrives faulty or misprinted, though, we will replace it.

For more inspiration, browse our personalised Father’s Day gifts, the wider personalised gifts for him collection, or our range of laser engraved gifts. And if his hobby is too niche for anything in the shop, our custom laser engraving service might be the answer.