"I don't need anything" is not a gift brief, but it is information: it means he wants something he would use and would not buy himself. A personalised gift does that job better than most, because the name turns an ordinary object into his. This list is sorted by the kind of dad, with the wording that suits each, and it is published in September so it can be ordered before the December post gets involved.
The dad who cooks (or barbecues, which is different)
A black personalised apron is the most-ordered dad gift we make, and it deserves to be: 75 by 59 cm, adjustable, two big pockets, water and stain resistant, washes at a low temperature. The wording is where it succeeds or fails. His name in Block, with one line under it that is his: "Head of gravy", "Grill sergeant", "Dave's Sunday roast", "Chief taster". Not "World's best dad", which every dad already owns. Sixty more lines are in what to write on a personalised apron.
The dad who drives
A personalised car coaster: 7 cm round, fits most cup holders, notched so it lifts out to clean. Name, or a dry line ("Dad's taxi", "No eating in the car", "Est. 1968"). Under a tenner, posts in an envelope, and used every day of the year.
The dad who drinks tea at a desk
A photo mug with the grandchildren on one side and a name on the other. Dishwasher-safe because the print is fused into the glaze. Read which photos print well before you upload the one from the beach.
The dad who is always at the gym, or says he is
A 40oz tumbler with a handle: 1.2 litres, slide lid, straw, fits most car cup holders. Name in Mono. It is a big cup and he will say so, then use it every day.
The dad with a sense of humour he is proud of
The Beer Logic t-shirt or the Beer O'Clock tee: soft cotton, unisex fit, worn to the pub and the barbecue. Not personalised, so it can be ordered up to the last week; measure a tee he wears and match the size guide.
The rule about jokes
One joke per gift, and it should be his joke, not the internet's. "Dad's taxi" on the car coaster is funny because it is true in that house. A generic pun is funny once. If you are not sure, the name and a year ("Steve · est. 1968") is never wrong.
Ordering
Everything is printed to order in Cheshire, usually dispatched within one to three working days, with free UK delivery, all year. December is slow at the post office, not at the bench; mid-November is the comfortable last date and September is the relaxed one. Because each piece carries the name you type, it cannot be returned for a spelling change, so check whether he is Dave or David on the things he owns. The whole shelf is in gifts for dad, and there is more in the BBQ dad gift guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good personalised Christmas gift for a dad who wants nothing?
Something useful with his name on it: a black apron with his name and one line that is his, a car coaster, a photo mug with the grandchildren, or a 40oz tumbler for the gym.
What should I write on a personalised gift for Dad?
His name in a plain font plus one line that is true in your house ('Head of gravy', 'Dad's taxi'), or the name and his birth year. Avoid 'World's best dad'; he has that one.
When is the last date to order a personalised gift for Christmas?
Dispatch is one to three working days all year; the post is the slow part in December. Mid-November is comfortable, and ordering in September means it is done.
