If you’re thinking about what to get your dad for Christmas this year, or if he has a birthday coming up, you might feel at a loss. There are always the same ties and sweat socks, but that’s not much fun. He’ll probably say thank you, and they’ll disappear into the closet, where you will never see them again.

Let’s take the time to talk about some gifts for dad that he will actually use. These are some of the prime options, according to fathers we know.

A Dashboard Camera for His Car

If you go on Reddit, you will see a sub called Idiots in Cars. It often features people in vehicles breaking the law in various ways. Most of these videos come from dashboard cameras that have become very popular these days. 

The dashboard camera is a way for you to record what happens every time you get behind the wheel, and your dad is likely to appreciate it if you get one for him. Many times, car wrecks happen when a vehicle changes lanes, when a car nearby makes an illegal turn, and so forth. 

If you get your dad a dashboard cam, he will be able to refer to that if a car near him ever causes a wreck. He can simply plug it in, turn it on, and it is good to go. There are several options on Amazon, or you can find them at certain brick-and-mortar store locations as well.

Beers of the World Club

If your dad is a drinker, then he’ll probably love it if you get him a beers of the world sampler that he can enjoy while he’s watching a football game this fall. Maybe he has a beer cellar or pantry where he can keep them, or perhaps he has a mini-fridge out in the garage if he likes to work on the car. 

There are several beers of the world clubs, and they often have introductory or gift discounts when you sign up. You might get one for three, six, or twelve months, depending on how much money you want to spend. If your dad has a big birthday coming up, like his 50th or 60th, that might be a time when the year-long subscription would be in order.

A Package of Omaha Steaks

Assuming your dad has not gone vegan or become a vegetarian, he’ll probably love a package of steaks, hot dogs, burgers, and more from Omaha Steaks. Omaha Steaks has been around for decades, and that’s because their business model works. It’s hard not to feel some excitement when you see that white hamper on the porch with the signature Omaha Steaks logo, and your dad should love this. 

There are all kinds of different packages that you can get, including ones with pork chops, gourmet burgers, and seasoning spice packets. Others feature side items like frozen french fries or desserts like apple tartlets. If your dad likes to grill, he should have a great time with this gift.

New Golf Clubs

Maybe your dad is close to retirement age, and he plans to hit the links a lot once he makes that lifestyle change. Even if he is nowhere near retirement, it could be that he likes to spend time golfing on the weekend every chance he gets. You can get him some new golf clubs that should add a few yards to his drive or improve his putting. 

If you don’t know much about the fine sport of golf, you can do a little research to see some of the best brands. Ping and Big Bertha have dominated the industry for years, but there are many more. If you don’t feel like you can afford to get your dad a whole new golf club set, which can be pretty pricy, you might just get him a new single club, like a driver.

A Mini-Fridge for the Man Cave or Garage

You might decide that getting your dad a mini-fridge would be appropriate. He can keep the beers from his beers of the world collection in there or some sodas if he’s not an alcohol drinker. He can keep his new mini-fridge in the den, living room, garage, or in a finished basement if he has one. 

If a mini-fridge doesn’t seem quite right, you might also get him a chest freezer. Chest freezers are great for storing venison and other meat if your dad enjoys hunting.