The most wanted gifts for dad

MEATER Plus Wireless Meat Thermometer

Wanted for Taking all the guessing out of the Thanksgiving turkey.

A wireless probe that sends the meat's temperature to a phone app while it cooks. It's a great gift for anyone who loves the grill or smoker and likes a gadget to go with it.

Why it's here For the dad who stands by the grill all afternoon. Now he can check from the couch, though he probably won't.

Let it slide if They're proud of cooking by feel and will tell you all about it.

Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

Wanted for Fixing things before anyone realized they were broken.

A full-size pocket multi-tool from a brand with a great reputation and a long warranty. It's the kind of tool that gets carried for decades and eventually handed down.

Why it's here If he has an old multi-tool that's seen better days, this is the upgrade. If he has none, this will be his new favorite thing.

Let it slide if They mostly need it for desk life. Try something smaller.

AeroPress Original Coffee Maker

Wanted for Making excellent coffee out of a plastic tube.

A small, nearly indestructible press that brews smooth coffee in about a minute. Coffee nerds swear by it, beginners find it easy, and it packs well for travel or the office.

Why it's here Great for a coffee-drinking dad who's curious but doesn't want a countertop machine.

Let it slide if They want coffee at the press of a button and no steps at all.

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler

Wanted for Surviving being dropped off a tailgate. Repeatedly.

A tough, well-insulated tumbler that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours and takes a beating. It's an easy gift for anyone who's on the road, on a job site, or outdoors a lot.

Let it slide if They've got a cupboard full of insulated mugs already.

Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Wanted for Outliving the person who bought it.

A pre-seasoned cast iron pan made in the USA that's cheap, tough, and useful for nearly anything. It's a great gift for a new home, and it only gets better with use.

Let it slide if They already own one. Cast iron people tend to.

Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks

Wanted for Outlasting most relationships, thanks to a lifetime guarantee.

Vermont-made merino wool socks with a lifetime guarantee that's become a bit of a legend. Socks may seem boring, but these are the pair people buy again and again.

Let it slide if They're not picky about socks and wouldn't notice the difference.

Gerber Dime Keychain Multi-Tool

Wanted for Hiding a dozen tools on a keychain.

A tiny multi-tool with pliers, a blade, and a bottle opener in a size that vanishes on a key ring. It's handy, inexpensive, and a great little gift for dads and stockings alike. It's not for carry-ons, though.

Let it slide if They fly a lot with only a carry-on. TSA will take it.

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2

Wanted for Refusing to let a cup of coffee go cold.

A heated mug that holds a drink at the exact temperature set in its app. It's a luxury nobody buys for themselves, which is what makes it such a reliable gift for anyone who forgets their coffee on the desk.

Let it slide if They finish every cup in five minutes.

Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit

Wanted for Bringing a campfire to the patio table with minimal smoke.

A small stainless fire pit that burns pellets or wood and sits right on an outdoor table. It's an easy way to make an ordinary night outside feel like an occasion, and s'mores are hard to argue with.

Let it slide if They don't have an outdoor space to use it in.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Wanted for Keeping people up until 3 a.m. for one more chapter.

A funny, propulsive science-fiction novel about a lone astronaut trying to save Earth. It's one of the easiest books to recommend to nearly anyone, including people who 'don't read sci-fi'.

Let it slide if They've already read it. Most sci-fi fans have.

Potty Putter Toilet Golf Game

Wanted for Making the bathroom a par-3.

A tiny putting green that wraps around the toilet, complete with a mini putter and a sign. It's a very stupid gift and a very reliable laugh, especially for the golfer who has everything.

Let it slide if The recipient has a shred of dignity they'd like to keep.

A Book of Terrible Dad Jokes

Wanted for Supplying a family with years of groans.

There are lots of these on Amazon, and they're all gloriously bad. Pick one with a cover you like, then enjoy the consequences at every family dinner from now on.

Let it slide if He's already too powerful. Do not encourage this further.