Buying gifts for dad is tough, and I’ve found my dad to be the hardest one to buy gifts for (I also have two brothers and my mom). And like a lot of dads, he already has most practical things.
That being said, I’ve come up with a list of 30 cheap gifts for your dad under $5 that are sure to be a hit. They’re a mix of useful, funny, and thoughtful ideas. I’ve personally tested the first few gifts on the list, so you can be sure they’re dad approved. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Dads work, and some of them are in a position where they must travel a lot. Having this in mind, getting your dad a small token of appreciation combined with some practicality is a nice touch. An excellent example of this is a set of toothbrush cover caps.
They come in a pack of 4, meaning he can utilize this gift even if he has multiple toothbrushes. Some people have numerous of those, one for boring business trips and another for camping. Naturally, they’re made of plastic, and you can get them in various color combinations. If he has only 1 toothbrush, he can spread the rest around for the entire family to use.
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Pranks are common in most households, as they show a healthy family environment. Pranking your dad can be fun, especially when you see his reaction. A good option for this is the fake poo, which will get him to react in some manner.
The fake poo is 4 inches long, so it’s just the right size to fool your dad. It’s made from fort rubber, and thanks to the realistic design, as soon as he sees it, he won’t be able to tell it’s the real deal. If you plan to use it to prank your dad, don’t worry; it doesn’t smell like the real deal. It’s just made to resemble it. Just leave it on the toilet seat and wait.
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As kids age, dads usually get shocked by some of the things we do. What if I tell you that you can play a shocking practical joke on your dad? For that, you’ll need to get the electric shock chewing gum, which is just a tad over the $5 mark.
These chewing gum prank toys are made to look exactly like the real deal, so unless your dad reads the label, he won’t tell the difference. You only need to offer him some chewing gum, and he’ll get a slight shock. It’s a harmless one, and he’ll only get surprised. With that said, I wouldn’t recommend using it on your dad if he has certain medical conditions where this kind of prank will cause harm.
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Continuing the trend with fake stuff, there is a way to prank your dad using another kind of toy. For this idea, I recommend going for fake knives, especially if your dad loves knives and uses them in various situations.
These come in a set of 3, and they’re made of plastic. The fake part of them is that the blade is also fake and sits in front of a spring hidden in the handle. That way, the knife won’t damage anything, even a piece of paper. The spring is relatively light, so no harm will come to anyone who tries to play with it. Imagine the excitement on your dad’s face and his surprise when he sees these knives.
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When it comes to gifts, it doesn’t have to be something overly expensive to have some meaning. There are plenty of cheap gifts for your dad that can melt his heart, and a keychain is one of them. And no, it’s not any kind of keychain.
“If dad can’t fix it, no one can” is the message on the pendant, and I think it’s very sweet. This will make for a good gift for all those dads who like to do things themselves and are always fixing things. Apart from the pendant, there are also 3 tool pendants – a hammer, a screwdriver, and a wrench. They’re all made from stainless steel, each measuring around 1 inch in length.
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So far, most of the gifts I mentioned were either pranks or the nice keychain. I have a cute dad gift for this one, but this one is more of a daughter-father kind of gift. I doubt boys would consider this an option.
The gift I have in mind is a pair of bead bracelets, one for you and one for your dad. They’re made from natural stones, with the trinket being made from stainless steel. Each one comes with a small pendant that says “father” or “daughter,” and there are two cards for each. The bracelets measure 7.42 inches in circumference, so I doubt you’ll have any issues with that because the beads are connected by an elastic string.
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Considering that we’re talking about dad gifts under $5 you shouldn’t expect to get your father a lot. Parents will be happy even with the smallest token of appreciation, which is where this next gift comes into play.
A card is a nice gesture, but why not make it a funny card? “Thanks for wiping my ass and stuff” is a funny way of saying thank you to your dad for raising you. It’s a square card measuring 6.6 inches in height and width, and it’s blank on the inside, allowing you to personalize it. It also comes with an eco-friendly envelope, so you can even mail it to your dad.
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Dads love to make jokes, which is why we call them dad jokes. They’re often cheesy and enough to get you to roll your eyes. If this sounds familiar, I have the perfect gift idea for your dad.
It’s a collection of dad jokes compiled in a small book. It measures 6 by 9 inches, so it’s small enough so that he can carry it with him all the time. There are 100 pages with one dad joke on each, so there’s a good chance you’ll hear something new. Regardless of whether your dad’s jokes are good or not, this is an excellent gift so that he can expand his database of dad jokes.
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Until this point, the entries are gifts, so I decided to go a bit differently for this one. This isn’t technically a gift, but I felt like it deserved a place here. I’m talking about a dad-themed gift bag.
This isn’t a plain old paper gift bag. It has a Christian verse on it, or to be precise, it’s Joshua 1:9, so if your dad is religious, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. The size is medium, measuring 4.1 by 7.7 by 9.7 inches, so you can use it for a decently sized gift. Speaking of, this is just the bag, so you’ll need to purchase the gift separately.
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We have wine lovers all around us. Some want a nice wine over lunch, while others may have a glass in the evening and relax in front of the TV. If your dad is a wine lover, this gift is perfect for him.
I present to you a wine glass. You may be disappointed, but there’s a catch. First, it’s not a classic wine glass, so your dad can also use it for other drinks. The glass reads “wine, because raising tiny humans ain’t easy,” which is cute. You’re letting your dad know you’re grateful for all he had to go through to put you on the right path so you can get him a wine glass.
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There’s always that one spot on the back that your dad cannot reach and asks someone for help. To be fair, we all have that problem, so this next dad gift is practically universal, meaning that anyone in your family can use it.
The back scratcher is exactly what it sounds like – a small device so your dad can scratch his back. It comes in a pack of 3, so it’s technically a scratcher and a massager. Each one has a different “hand,” depending on how bad is the itch. The best part is that they have telescopic handles, meaning that your dad can retract them for easier storage because they measure less than 8 inches when retracted.
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I know this isn’t the only keychain on this list, but as a Star Wars fan, I had to include it. On top of that, this isn’t just a cute keychain that your dad will carry around. It has another purpose, which I know he’s going to like.
There aren’t many people who don’t know the Millennium Falcon, so whoever sees this dad gift will instantly recognize it. It’s made from a zinc alloy, measuring 2.64 inches in length and 1.97 in width. You can choose between 3 colors: red copper, silver white or yellow copper. The best part is that it’s also a bottle opener for whenever your dad wants to crack open a cold one.
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For some, the beard is a lifestyle, while for others, it’s a sign they’re a bit lazy to shave it. I’m in both categories, to be honest, and I feel like this gift would be a good fit for me and for your dad, as long as he has a beard.
With this dad gift, you can get 1 or 2 combs, depending on how much you think your dad needs. They are quite small, measuring a little over 4 by 2, so it’s roughly the size of a credit card. It comes with a leather pouch for storing the comb, and there’s a bit of room in it for your dad to keep a card or two. The comb is made from wood and has two sides, depending on how thick your dad’s beard is.
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One of the many jobs a dad has is to fix things. Even if he’s not fixing something now, he’s probably thinking of something he can fix. When it comes to that, the most important thing he needs is tools.
Tools are great but take up a lot of space, so this next gift is the opposite. The universal socket can be an addition to your dad’s wrench, and it’s designed to replace sockets from ¼ to ¾ of an inch thanks to its self-adjusting design. Since we’re talking about a dad gift, it won’t be perfect without a message, right? “Best dad ever” is the message on the side, meaning that your dad will use it with pride, knowing that it’s a gift from you.
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I’m on a roll with the keychains, and with good reason. Some are cute, and your dad will like them for their appearance. With this one, things are a bit different because it’s not something to look at, but it is practical.
It’s a screwdriver keychain, so you know where this is going. This gift is a set of two small screwdrivers, a Phillips and a flathead one, so both types are covered. They’re not universal, but based on the size, they’ll do their job nicely in a pinch. Speaking of size. They measure 2.36 in length and 0.59 in width, so they’re big enough for smaller emergency screws.
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Multifunctional tools are a great way to show your dad some love. On the one hand, he’ll love the gesture, and on the other, I’m sure he’ll put it to good use, considering that it’s a pocket-sized one.
This is a 7 in 1 tool, so it really is a multipurpose one. It’s a pen with a ruler with metric and imperial measurements, a bubble leveler, Philips, a flathead screwdriver, and a stylus pen. Considering that it’s the size of a pen, your dad can always carry it with him without it being a nuisance. It comes in 3 color options: black, silver, and yellow, and if you want to spend more, you can get a pack of 3 or 5.
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One of the many things that dad does is provide food on the table, which often means meat. Dads love barbecue, which is where this gift can come in handy. Apart from that, this can also be used as a shredder, so it’s a two-in-one option.
The meat claws are made from BPA-free material and are heat resistant, which is to be expected since they’re intended to be used over a barbecue. They come in pairs of two, so your dad can either use both hands or hand one of those to you to help him out. Another use is for shredding meat, so instead of using a fork to pull the slow-cooked meat apart, he can use these.
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Dads don’t wear too much jewelry, so you may wonder what’s the point of this. Well, they don’t wear it because they don’t get themselves something like that, but if it’s a gift from you, I’m sure your dad would love to wear it.
This is one of those two-in-one gifts, so your dad can choose how he wants to wear it. The ring is a little under an inch in diameter, so he may wear it on his ring. As part of the package, there’s a chain roughly 18 inches in length, so he can carry it around his neck. Regardless of which option he chooses, this is a very thoughtful gift, even though it’s less than $5.
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There are musicians all around us, meaning plenty of dads fall in this category. Even if he’s only a musician lover, there is a chance he owns a guitar, meaning that this is an excellent gift option for you to consider.
A guitar pick isn’t something you’d consider a flashy gift, and in reality, it’s not, but this one is different. One part of this gift is that this is a real pick he can use whenever he plays the guitar. The second part is the funny quote on it. “I couldn’t pick a better dad” is a clever combination of the word pick with a cute message that your dad will love.
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There is an unwritten rule that truck drivers wear hats. To be fair, many other people wear hats, and if your dad is one of those, I have the perfect gift for him. The best part is that it’s customizable, so you can make it unique.
By itself, this is a regular hat with a snap closure. It’s made from a soft fabric with a mesh on the back, so it’s comfortable to wear even when it’s hot outside. You can choose between 10 colors, so I’m sure you’ll find your dad’s favorite. The custom part of this gift is sending an image or some text to be printed on the front side. You can go with a cute quote or an image from you, or you can get creative with something else.
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Some dads like to keep a journal or take notes during their travels or when doing stuff around the house. This means that a notebook would make a perfect gift for them, which is why I’ve chosen this one.
You’re looking at a leather-covered notebook or journal with 64 pages, which isn’t the largest one in the world. The best part about it is that it’s refillable, meaning that once your dad fills this up, he can replace the pages and continue writing. As for the leather, it’s not real leather. Instead, you’re looking at 100% animal-free synthetic leather with a very sweet message engraved on the front page.
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Who doesn’t love good whiskey? I know I do, and I believe that your dad is in the same category as me. If he is, I have an excellent gift he can cherish whenever he wants to sit down and relax with a few sips of his favorite tea-colored drink.
Since we’re talking about a whiskey glass, you can probably expect it to be made from real glass, which is the case here. There is a funny quote on the side, which is engraved, meaning that it will last a long time. As for the capacity, it’s 10 oz, making it the perfect size for whiskey. To be fair, he can also use it for other drinks because I know it will be his favorite.
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Who doesn’t love good whiskey? I know I do, and I believe that your dad is in the same category as me. If he is, I have an excellent gift he can cherish whenever he wants to sit down and relax with a few sips of his favorite tea-colored drink.
Since we’re talking about a whiskey glass, you can probably expect it to be made from real glass, which is the case here. There is a funny quote on the side, which is engraved, meaning that it will last a long time. As for the capacity, it’s 10 oz, making it the perfect size for whiskey. To be fair, he can also use it for other drinks because I know it will be his favorite.
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Mints are essential to our lives, and most of us don’t go anywhere without them. With that in mind, I have the perfect gift idea for your dad. To be honest, as a type of product, this is something that I would like to have.
Mint tin is an excellent gift for your dad because it’s much better than carrying the awful package you can never close correctly. The metal tin doesn’t come empty, meaning that from the first moment your dad gets this gift, he can put it to use. The best part about it is the message on the box, which reads “world’s best farter, I mean father, ” another clever combination of funny and cute.
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Did you think that after a wine and whiskey glass, I wouldn’t mention a beer glass? Dads and beer go together like bread and butter, and if that’s the case, a beer glass is an ideal gift for your dad. Even if he doesn’t drink beer, he’ll love it.
The most noticeable part of this gift is the quote, “dad, you’re one of my favorite parents,” which is quite funny. It’s engraved into the glass, so you should see it lasting a long time without starting to fade away. Considering that we’re talking about a beer glass, you’re looking at a capacity of 15 oz, which is perfect. The best part is that the glass is quite thick, so it shouldn’t break too easily in case of an accident.
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Dads love many things, starting with the children, of course. They also love red, white, and blue, so a gift that combines both would be ideal. Even though it’s only a sticker, I’m sure your dad will put it somewhere with pride.
The sticker says “Pitbull dad,” meaning that it shows his fierceness regarding his kids. Adding the US flag into the mix only spices things up, meaning your dad will love it. Since it’s a vinyl sticker, it can be applied anywhere, like a laptop lid, window, or bumper. The sticker is 5 inches in diameter, so it’s quite large, but don’t worry, your dad will stick it somewhere where no one will miss it.
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As kids, we idolize our dads and often compare them to superheroes. When we grow up, we realize they aren’t actual superheroes, but they are to us, considering all they’ve done for us. So, why not give them back some of that superhero vibe?
A good and affordable way to do that is with a pop-up card. It’s not any regular pop-up card because this one features Superman flying over Metropolis. On the outside, there is a message saying, “Celebrating you,” and on the inside, it says, “Hope your day is amazing as you are.” I can’t think of many other ways to surprise your dad. The card is 5 by 7.2, so it’s not one of those small and barely readable ones.
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Basic biology says that men grow beards, meaning we need to shave. It can mean shaving with a razor or trimming, but it’s inevitable. The aftermath of shaving is a sink full of beard hair, so this next gift is one that your dad will find extremely useful.
The beard apron is made from nylon with a long bib to be suitable for almost anyone. On the other side, it has two suction cups so your dad can stick them on the bathroom mirror. As a result, all the beard will remain in the apron, and he won’t have to go through cleaning the sink. To be fair, even your mom would be quite happy with this gift, especially if your dad isn’t as thorough as she wants him to be.
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Most modern cars have cup holders, so you’re wondering what’s the point of this dad gift. Well, while you are right about the cup holders, some of them don’t have any kind of padding on the bottom. Plus, they don’t have fancy designs.
The coasters come in a pack of 4 with the option to choose what kind of design you rant, ranging from multiple colors to animal prints and the US flag. They’re made from neoprene and made so that the print doesn’t fade away after a while. Each coaster is 2.75 inches in diameter, so you may want to measure the side of the cup holders in your dad’s car to confirm. The best part is that there’s a small notch, which makes them easy to remove.
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Let’s face it, money as we know it is slowly becoming a thing of the past, and most of us rely on cards. With that in mind, and if your dad is one of those who uses a card more than cash, this can be a perfect gift for him.
This stylish leather wallet is made from high-quality material and durable stitching so that it can last for a long time. It has 4 main slots for credit cards, 2 for business cards, 1 for ID, and the last for cash, so it’s not as restricted as it may seem. You can get it in one of 5 color options, and the best part is that it comes with built-in RFID protection to keep your dad’s cards safe.
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Regardless of whether your dad is camping or in the yard doing dad stuff, some items can come in handy. Tools are nice, but he can’t take a sip from a wrench. To remedy that issue, you can get him a flask.
The flask is made from stainless steel and is wrapped in high-quality PU leather to prevent it from slipping. It can hold 8 oz of liquid, which is a bit on the small side, but that also means it’s compact. The package also includes 2 small cups and a funnel so that your dad can refill it without the fear of spilling his drink. Also, it’s designed with a slight arc, meaning it’s the perfect hip flask.
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