Ever wish you could just ask Dad what he wants for a gift? We thought so, which is why we turned to the experts—real dads from our newsroom.
With Christmas coming fast on Wednesday, December 25 (12/25/2024), time is running out to find the perfect gift (or if you’re still unsure), so we asked dads from the Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard newsroom for a comprehensive list of things they’d love this year.
Whether you’re shopping for an athletic dad, a musically gifted dad, or just a regular dad who enjoys everyday dad activities, this list has something for everyone. If you need gift ideas for mom, too check out our story ‘We asked moms what Christmas gifts they actually want this year - Here are their answers.’
“Solo stove or other stainless smokeless fire pits”
Enjoy cozy fireside moments without the hassle of smoky flames. Our Signature 360° Airflow system heats the air to eliminate smoke before it reaches your clothes or hair. Say goodbye to lingering “post-fire” odors, teary eyes, or constantly shifting to avoid smoke, and experience the perfect blend of warmth and comfort.
“other stainless smokeless fire pits”
From Walmart: Muskoka 19.5″ Stainless Steel Smokeless Wood Burning Fire Pit - $97 (was $150)
From Breeo: X Series Smokeless Fire Pit - $400
From Tiki Brand: Patio Smokeless Fire Pit - $295 (was $395)
Light-duty power washer
The 1,800 MAX PSI Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer is small enough for easy storage but powerful enough to handle your outdoor cleaning needs. Equipped with a high-pressure soap cannon and two nozzles, it has all the tools necessary to wash your car or clean your patio. The pressure washer wand features a comfort grip for effortless handling.
Other items like this
From Lowe’s: Kobalt 600 PSI Cold Water Battery Outdoor Power Cleaner with 1 Spray Tip - $149
From The Home Depot: 1800 PSI 1.2 GPM Cold Water Corded Electric Pressure Washer - $99
From Amazon: PowRyte Electric Pressure Washer - $150 (Was $180)
Immersion Blender
The upgraded 7-in-1 customization with an ergonomic handle includes an immersion blender, 500 ml chopper, 600 ml beaker, milk frother, ice crusher blade, shape chopper blade, egg whisk, and storage bracket. With a range of attachments, it’s designed to not only fulfill your diverse food preparation needs but also enhance your cooking skills.
More immersion blenders
From Walmart: General Electric 500 W 2-Speed Blender - $59 (was $70)
From Target: Vitamix 2-Speed Hand Immersion Blender Bundle with Whisk and Jar Black - $120 (was $150)
From Amazon: MasterChef Immersion Blender Handheld - $26
Retro MTV shirts
Take a trip down memory lane with this MTV Retro Pop Logo Men’s T-Shirt, bringing you back to the days of Tabitha Soren, Kurt Loder, Headbanger’s Ball, Run DMC, and endless hours of re-watching quirky videos that defined our youth. Relive a time when a 3-minute attention span was considered brief.
Other retro shirts
From Walmart: Schoolhouse Rock Men’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt - $17
From Amazon: MTV Logo With Brick Wall And Spray Paint Treatment T-Shirt - $22
Patio Heaters
Create a cozy and inviting space for outdoor activities with this 48,000 BTU patio heater. Featuring a 48,000 BTU output, heat-reflecting cover, and flame emitter, this heater delivers consistent warmth, covering an area of up to 25 feet.
Other patio heaters dad would love this year
From Lowe’s: Master Forge 48000-BTU Stainless Steel Patio Heater - $170
From Walmart: Uline H-5221 Bronze Gas Tabletop Radiant Heater for 30 sq. ft - $109
From Home Depot: 48000 BTU Stainless Steel Propane Standing Patio Heater with Wheels - $160
Snow tires
The tire improves winter weather performance with its asymmetric ribbed pattern, high-density siping, and winter-specific compound, all of which enhance traction on cold, slippery road surfaces. The dense sinusoidal siping increases the number of gripping edges, providing better traction on ice and snow-covered roads.
More snow tires to get Dad so he doesn’t have to
From Walmart: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter 225/65R17 102H Passenger Tire - $165
From Goodyear Tires: WinterCommand - $122
From Priority Tires: Accelera X-Grip Steel Belted 205/55R16 91H Winter Tire - $69 (was $80) per tire
“Truck accessories, like a light bar that goes on your vehicle”
Featuring 256 high-power LED chips, this combo beam with a triple row and a central nested reflector cup design maximizes light efficiency, allowing you to spot obstacles and wildlife on dark roads.
Other truck accessories for Dad
From Amazon: Truck Bed Organizer - $60
From The Home Depot: Universal 800 lbs. Capacity Over-Cab Steel Truck Rack - $319
From Walmart: INTELIVE 22″ 288W Spot Flood LED Light Bar for Trucks - $46
Bike racks
Built with a sturdy and durable design, the Thule Trailway XT Hitch Mount 2-Bike Rack safely transports your bikes to trails or courses. It fits both 1 ¼” and 2″ receivers using the included adaptor. The anti-sway cages hold up to 2 bikes securely during travel. When not in use, the switch levers allow the arms to fold down and the carrier to tilt away from the car for easy storage.
Different bike racks with different price points
From Dick’s Sporting Goods: Malone Auto Racks Runway Max - Hitch Mount 4 Bike Carrier - $152 (was $231)
From Walmart: Saris Bones EX Trunk Bike Rack - $180 (was $230)
From Saris: Freedom 2 Bike Hitch Rack - $300 (was $380)
Roof Rack
This roof rack is perfect for storing extra luggage, camping gear, cargo bags, and more, designed for those with an adventurous lifestyle. It’s easy to install using 4 universal U-bolts, and the metal bottom bars and side rails offer plenty of tie-down points for secure storage.
From Walmart: Kojem 64″ Universal Roof Rack Basket - $99
From Amazon: WEIZE 54″ x 34″ x 6″ Roof Rack Rooftop Cargo Carrier Steel Basket - $110
From The Home Depot: Rooftop Cargo Carrier 562 L Capacity Roof Cargo Basket - $536 (was $670)
Cassette player to MP3 converter*
*if Dad already has a USB turntable, now’s the time to help him dig into his old mixtapes and convert them into MP3 playlists
Revisit the nostalgic pleasure of listening to classic cassette tapes with our Portable Cassette Player. Featuring a built-in speaker and headphone jack, it functions as both a portable music player and a convenient tool for playing your old tapes.
Help Dad convert his old mixtapes with these different price points
From Walmart: Cassette Tape to MP3 Converter - $18
From Walmart: Portable Cassette Player - $24 (was $27)
From Sharper Image: Cassette to MP3 Converter - $56 (was $70)
“Garmin Fenix 8 for the dad runner...”
Designed for dedicated athletes and adventurers looking to surpass their limits, this high-performance multisport GPS smartwatch is packed with advanced features, including strength training tools, dive functionality, an internal speaker and mic for voice commands, a built-in LED flashlight, and more.
Other Garmin watches
From Amazon: Garmin fēnix 8 - $1,200
From Best Buy: fēnix 8 AMOLED GPS Smartwatch 47 mm Fiber - $1000
From Garmin: fēnix 8 – 47 mm, Solar - $1,100
Cordless reciprocating saw
The NEXPOW 24V Cordless Reciprocating Saw features a high-quality motor with a 0-3500 SPM range, providing superior cutting performance. It is versatile enough to handle precise cuts through various materials, including wood, pipes, and metals, meeting a range of cutting needs.
Other Cordless reciprocating saws
From Walmart: Reciprocating Saw, 0-3000 SPM, 2 x 2000mAh Batteries Powered - $40 (was $80)
From Lowe’s: DEWALT XR 20-volt Max Variable Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw - $200
From The Home Depot: M18 FUEL GEN-2 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless SAWZALL Reciprocating Saw - $200
“A big 75-inch Sony or Samsung smart TV!”
Enhance your entertainment experience with a native 120Hz refresh rate and 4K HDR resolution, making your favorite shows, movies, sports, and games appear smoother and sharper than ever. Powered by the advanced 4K HDR Processor X1, it delivers realistic contrast, vibrant colors, and precise picture quality, bringing you closer to the action.
Other “big smart TVs!”
From Walmart: Sony 75″ Class BRAVIA XR X90L 4K HDR Full Array LED Smart Google TV - $1,300
From Walmart: Sony 75″ class BRAVIA 9 Mini LED QLED 4K HDR Smart Google TV - $3,500 (was $4,000)
From Samsung: 75″ Class Samsung Neo QLED 4K QNX1D - $1,550 (was $3,000)
New running shoes
One of the most durable shoes in the HOKA lineup, the Bondi has been upgraded this season with softer, lighter foams and a completely redesigned extended heel geometry. The rear crash pad, now with a billowed effect, provides an exceptionally smooth and balanced ride from heel strike to forefoot transition.
Other popular running shoes from this year
From Hoka: Clifton 9 - $116 (was $145)
From Brooks: Adrenaline GTS 23 - $100 (was $140)
From Adidas: Adizero Adios Pro 4 Shoes - $250
“New chef’s knife”
The Enso HD Chef’s Knife is crafted for slicing, dicing, and chopping a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and more. Its curved belly allows for a gentle rocking motion, making it ideal for finely mincing fresh herbs or spices. Enso combines cutting-edge technology with the unmatched skill and experience of traditional craftsmen to handcraft professional-grade knives.
More chef’s knife for the dad who loves to cook
From Walmart: Hecef Chef Knife, 8 inch Japanese Damascus Steel Kitchen Knife - $32 (was $50)
From Dalstrong: Chef’s Knife 8″ - $96 (was $120)
From Hedley & Bennett: Chef’s Knife - $115
Want more Christmas gift ideas? Check these stories out
For real Upstate New Yorkers
Stocking stuffers
For Kids
- We asked kids what they actually want for Christmas - Here are their real answers
- 7 Christmas gifts under $100 kids would actually love to get this year
For mom
- 7 Christmas gifts for mom under $100: Bath bombs, journals, bags, more
- We asked moms what Christmas gifts they actually want this year - Here are their answers
For Dad
More Shopping and Deals
- L.L. Bean’s tote bag collab with Noah Kahan is starting to sell out - Get the bag for $50
- The Michael Kors Outlet is having a 25% off sitewide sale during Black Friday Week
- UGG is having the biggest sale on its iconic boots and slippers - Get up to 40% off
- Target has a ton of Early Black Friday deals - Here are our favorites
- Walmart slashes the price on the Oura Ring 4 ahead of Black Friday - Get $100 off