Father’s Day Gifts He Won’t Return

Dads do a lot for their families, whether they’re logging long hours at the office or running the household.

And yet, while Mother’s Day is widely celebrated in homes across the country, fathers often get the short end of the stick. In fact, studies show that Father’s Day is less likely to be honored in U.S. households. And even when a gift is given, it’s often a lesser value than those bestowed on mom.

But before you can decide what to buy, you’ve got to know what NOT to buy. We combed through dozens of Reddit posts to discover which gifts dad will cherish… and which ones you’d better keep the receipt for.

Read on and learn from Reddit’s mistakes, then discover Father’s Day tech gifts that are sure to be winners, just like dad is.

Dad’s Day DON’Ts (According to Reddit)

The fathers of Reddit have spoken and so have their children and spouses. There’s one overarching theme: when it comes to Father’s Day, dads feel a little bit invisible. If your goal in 2026 is to make him feel seen again, take this advice and avoid these types of “gifts”:

All quotes pulled from comments found on Reddit here and here.

Category 1: A Whole Lotta Nothing

We were stunned to see how many Reddit dads said that Father’s Day went totally unacknowledged in their homes.

“I’ve gotten nothing plenty of times. That’s pretty bad.” – Reddit

“She wrapped an empty box with wrapping paper and told us it’s full of our love.” – Reddit

“I’ve never received a Father’s Day Gift. I don’t really get gifts ever, tbh.” – Reddit

“I’ve never really gotten a gift for Father’s Day beyond, ‘We helped make breakfast,’ and ‘I’m going to leave you alone for a couple hours on purpose.” – Reddit

Category 2: It’s Somebody’s Hobby… Just Not His

Forget those fancy gadget gifts. Give dad the gear he needs to embrace his favorite hobby. Just… make sure it’s actually his hobby first!

“My wife was so excited and got me a cot for camping! I absolutely hate camping.” – Reddit

“I’m not a dad, but I once gave my grandfather one of those CD wallets that you attach to the sun visor of your car. My grandfather never owned a CD player or a car.” – Reddit

“When you can tell it was a last-minute gift of something you aren’t interested in, like getting a Ford shirt and hat when you drive a Jeep. Better to get nothing than a useless gift.” – Reddit

Just remember, if your dad is super passionate about Apple products, don’t get him a Samsung smartphone. Take his interests into account to land on a gift he’s sure to love.

Category 3: Jokes That Don’t Land

He’s a funny dude (according to him, anyway). He’s always first with the dad jokes, one-liners and zingers. He’d love a gag gift, right? Not so fast, says Reddit.

“A #2 Dad mug for your biological father when you live with your step-father.” – Reddit

“My son is only 3 weeks old, so I can’t really speak for myself. But when I was a kid, I made a card for my dad that said: ‘You’re the best dad I have ever had!’ And when he opened it, it said, ‘You’re also the only dad I had.’” – Reddit

“I’m still not sure if this is the worst or best. For my first Father’s Day, my wife got me a ‘World’s Best Dad’ coffee mug. This year, I got a replacement that says ‘World’s Okayest Dad.’” – Reddit

Ouch.

A joke gift might seem like a great idea, but in reality, he might just really want that smartwatch or a pair of wireless earbuds. Ultimately, he’s a person, not a punchline.

Category 4: Painfully Practical

Just because dad always mows the lawn doesn’t mean you have to get him a weed whacker for Father’s Day. Practical gifts have their place, but if dad is already feeling a little neglected or taken for granted, a gift that feels more like a to-do list probably isn’t the greatest idea.

“I was once browsing Groupon around Father’s Day and scrolled through their ‘Just for Dad’ recommendations. All was normal until I came across a deal for a bulk purchase of septic tank cleaner. ‘Happy Father’s Day, Dad! Now get out there and fix that nasty problem that’s coming up from underneath the lawn!’” – Reddit

“My husband got an iPhone. He hates Apple. But that’s what our kids and I have and he wanted to easily track and spy on our teen’s usage like I do.” – Reddit

It’s one thing to gift something that’s useful or will help make his life easier. But gifting something that only benefits you or your kids (by making more work for him) is not where it’s at.

Why Father’s Day Gifting Has to Change

Dads play a critically important role in the family dynamic, and they deserve the same recognition moms get on Mother’s Day. The message from Reddit is hard to ignore: a lot of dads don’t feel that way right now. The good news is it doesn’t take much to change that.

The Answer to Reddit’s DON’Ts: Gifts That Make Him Feel Seen

Instead of picking up whatever happens to be hanging out by the checkout line at the gas station, consider what type of gift makes your dad light up. Start by considering his hobbies and what he loves to do in his spare time.

Best Father’s Day Gifts for Gamer Dads

Dad’s setup doesn’t have to stay casual. A gaming monitor with high refresh rates, low latency and vivid contrast can turn any desk into a battle station he’ll actually want to spend time at.

Gaming Monitors He’ll Love

VX2738-2K-OLED: Boost dad’s competitive edge with this 27″ QD-OLED panel that features a blistering 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. Deep blacks, vibrant 10-bit color and AMD FreeSync™ Premium ensure every frame looks exactly as intended.

A man with a headset on sitting in front of a gaming monitor.

VX2718-2KPC-MHD: Upgrade his gaming station with a 27″ curved monitor boasting a 1500R panel for deep immersion. This monitor offers a 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time to keep his favorite games fluid and responsive.

A man in a striped shirt sitting in front of a ViewSonic gaming monitor.

Pro tip: Create the ultimate gaming bundle by including a digital download code for his favorite game or an ergonomic chair for maximum comfort.

Top Picks for Busy Dads

Some dads are happiest when they’re in the zone. If yours is one of them, a bigger, sharper monitor might be the upgrade he’s been putting off buying for himself. ViewSonic® home office monitors deliver 1440p and 4K clarity, USB-C connectivity and an ergonomic build that makes long workdays a little more manageable.

Productivity-Enhancing Monitors

VX3276-2K-MHD: The VX3276-2K-MHD is a frameless 32″ QHD monitor that gives multitasking dads more room to work. A built-in IPS panel maintains consistent colors and viewing angles no matter how he positions the screen.

VX2776-4K-MHDU: Upgrade dad’s home office with this 4K UHD monitor that brings lifelike detail and rich HDR10 color to every project. Its integrated USB-C connectivity clears desk clutter by handling video, data and 65W charging through a single port.

The VX2776-4K-MHDU ViewSonic monitor on a wooden desk next to a laptop.

Additional splurge: A monitor arm keeps screens at eye level, reduces neck strain and clears space for everything else on his desk.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Movie Buffs

For the dad who believes movie night should feel less like squinting at a TV screen and more like a night at the cinema, consider a home theater projector.

Movie Projectors

LX60HD: Stream movies right out of the box with this smart 1080p projector featuring built-in Google TV and Netflix. It projects Full HD visuals up to 140″ for an immersive cinematic experience in any room.

A projector screen showing a dog and a person on a mountain.

PX701-4K: Experience theatrical entertainment at home with a 4K UHD picture that can reach up to 300 inches. This projector features 3,200 lumens for brightness, a 240Hz refresh rate and a 4.2ms input lag, so that it handles both blockbuster films and intense game nights with ease.

Three men cheering while watching soccer on a projector screen.

Best Gifts for Dads on the Go

For the dad who’s constantly on the move, a portable monitor can help him do his best work no matter where he is.

Portable Monitors

VX1754: Weighing just 2 lbs. and measuring 0.7 inches thick, this 17” portable gaming monitor is ideal for dads who love working hard and playing hard on the go. Enjoy next-level performance with a 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync™ technology.

A man playing Mario Cart on a portable ViewSonic VX1754 monitor.

VX1655: Connect this ultra-slim 15.6″ portable monitor via USB-C or mini-HDMI to expand a laptop or mobile screen instantly. Its clean, simple design is built to travel as effortlessly as it performs.

A man in a green striped shirt typing on his laptop while looking at a ViewSonic VX1655 portable monitor.

Gift basket idea: Build dad the perfect traveler’s kit by pairing a portable monitor with noise-canceling earbuds, a device charger and a travel pillow.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Creative Dads

For dads who design, edit or shoot, color accuracy isn’t a bonus feature. It’s the whole point. ViewSonic ColorPro^® monitors are built for creators who need colors to look right the first time.

Monitors for Creatives

VP2788-5K: With 99% DCI-P3 coverage and HDR400 support, this 27″ 5K monitor is built for professional color work. Thunderbolt™ 4 connectivity ensures a seamless plug-and-play experience for your dad’s favorite Mac devices.

A man in a red shirt looking at a monitor showing a colorful image of a man playing guitar.

VP2456A: Designers and photographers will appreciate this 24″ Pantone^® Validated monitor that offers 100% sRGB coverage. With Delta E<2 color accuracy, it ensures that what he sees on his screen perfectly matches his final print.

A man looking at a monitor and taking notes.

Gifting Tech Without Making it Boring

Yes, we did include a whole section on not giving dad anything too practical. But there’s a big difference between gifts that are boring, tedious or demand him to do more work, versus those that are useful or help him do the things he loves. Here’s how you can make those gadget gifts even more special:

Make sure it’s compatible: You probably already know by now if he’s a MacBook guy or a Windows guy. Make sure what you get him is compatible with his existing setup.
Personalize it: If you’re getting dad a gaming monitor, pair it with a favorite game. Buying him a projector? Give it along with a subscription to his favorite streaming service.
Don’t break the bank: Dad probably doesn’t want you to blow your family’s budget getting him a gift. Remember that Father’s Day isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about who you spend it with.
Say thanks: What dad really wants is to know he’s appreciated. Whatever you end up gifting him, make sure to include a card (handmade is often best) or a letter letting him know how much you care.

Don’t End Up in the Reddit Father’s Day Thread of Shame: Choose a Father’s Day Tech Gift from ViewSonic

There are countless types of dads out there, but only one of them is yours. Don’t scramble for a last-minute gift that feels like an afterthought. Pick something that fits the kind of dad he is and shop ViewSonic’s full lineup at ViewSonic.com.

Program, pricing, specifications and availability are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Actual performance, compatibility, and user experience may vary depending on system configuration, network conditions, usage environment, and other factors. Certain restrictions or exclusions apply. Selections, offers and programs may vary by country. Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright © 2026, ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Father’s Day Gift Guide 2026: Reddit Users Explain What’s a Keeper and What’s a Pass