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Updated Apr 14, 202122 Thoughtful Wedding Gifts for the Father of the Groom
Let him know what he means to you with a present that says "thanks."
It's customary to give wedding thank-you gifts to all the VIPs who helped make your big day happen. That usually includes thank-you gifts for the couple's parents, who have offered their emotional, creative and/or financial support. While mothers and fathers of the bride tend to get a lot of attention (mostly because traditionally, they're the ones to foot the wedding bill), a groom's parents shouldn't be forgotten. How do you say "thanks" to the guy who raised the man of the hour? With a kind card, a hug and a thoughtful present. Here are some of our favorite unique and personalized father of the groom gift ideas.
1. A Hidden, Sentimental Tie Patch
Add something special to his wedding ensemble with one of these sweet patches. If you're his son, print a sentimental photo of the two of you for an especially meaningful father of the groom gift. If you're his soon-to-be in-law, customize it with a loving message instead. Either way, he can stick the keepsake on the inside of his tie to wear with pride on the wedding day.
Love and Lace Hankies custom photo tie patch label, from $19, Etsy.com; Daribee Store father of the groom gift from bride tie patch, from $13, Etsy.com
2. A New Piece of Technology
If he's basically been your personal assistant for the past few months (bless him!), reward him with a personal assistant of his own. The Echo Dot is the perfect introduction to smart technology for the dad who may be skeptical; it's also great if you know he'd prefer something practical over something ultra-personal. The intelligent speaker device does more than play music—it can read him the news, tell him the weather and help him with tasks too.
Amazon Echo Dot, $50, Amazon.com
3. A Personalized Pocket Knife
Shopping for the ultra-handy, outdoorsy kind of dad? Treat him to this stylish pocket knife. The multipurpose tool comes with a sleek blade, a mini flashlight and even a firestarter. If all that doesn't impress him, the engraved monogram certainly will.
The Knot Shop personalized black & silver pocket knife with light in Monogram Engraved, $22, TheKnotShop.com
4. A Picture Frame for the Ultimate Sports Fan
Wow the biggest sports fan in your life with this frame that's equal parts cool and sentimental. The art piece displays a wooden replica of his favorite stadium—plus the photo of your choice. We recommend filling it with a snapshot of you and him at your first game together. (Warning: He may shed a tear or two!)
StatiumViews 3D stadium art picture frame, $30, TheGrommet.com
5. A Special Tie Bar
Here's another father of the groom gift he can wear at the wedding. Get the tie bar personalized with his title, "father of the groom," so everyone pays him the attention he deserves. You can also get the back customized with the wedding date.
Dainty Layers Shop father of the groom tie bar, $18, Etsy.com
6. A Unique, Engraved Watch
We bet he hasn't seen a wooden watch quite like this one. The minimalist face will catch his eye, while the engraved back will make him laugh. It reads, "Dad: The man, the myth, the legend." Talk about a cute father of the groom gift from his son.
Berkley Rose Co The Man The Myth The Legend engraved wooden watch gift, $50, Etsy.com
7. A Symbolic "Founding Fathers" Tie
Saying "thanks" to a history buff? Get your own "founding father" this constitution tie printed with words from the famous document. The silk accessory is equal parts fun and fancy.
Josh Bach constitution tie, $49, UncommonGoods.com
8. A Monogrammed Wallet
Upgrade his worn-down wallet with this monogrammed one. It comes in either black or brown and includes an attached money clip, so he can store his cards and cash with ease.
Custom Money Clips personalized leather wallet and money clip combo, from $35, Etsy.com
9. A Desk Photo "Album"
Dress up his desk with this simple photo display. The wooden block holds up to 12 photos he can rotate into the front spot. Fill it with snapshots from the wedding day for a foolproof (post)wedding gift for the father of the groom.
Artifact Uprising wood block & prints, $20, ArtifactUprising.com
10. An Ice Cream Subscription
If the easiest way to your dad's (or father-in-law's) heart is through his stomach, this is the father of the groom gift for you. This amazing subscription service lets him try a mix of different pints (or ice cream sammies!) each month, so his sweet tooth will always be satisfied.
Goldbelly Subscriptions ice cream monthly subscription, $89 a month, Goldbelly.com
11. A Humorous Drinking Glass
Searching for funny father of the groom gift ideas? Try this "I survived my son's wedding" rocks glass, which he can use to sip a celebratory drink from. The "s" is actually a dollar sign, playfully nodding to the fact that his bank account survived the event too.
Tracey's Trendy Vinyl I Survived My Son's Wedding rocks glass, $11, Etsy.com
12. A Custom Cutting Board
The grill master will get a giggle out of this cutting board. The cooking accessory comes etched with the words "the grillfather," a play on the famous cult-classic film title, The Godfather.
Naked Wooden Works The Grillfather cutting board gift for dad, from $40, Etsy.com
13. Classy Cufflinks
Put the final touch on his wedding day outfit with these heirloom-quality cufflinks. The simple accessories have a handsome brushed finish and you can also get them engraved with his initials.
Blue Nile oval cuff links in Brushed Stainless Steel, $65, BlueNile.com
14. A Monogrammed Dopp Kit
Leather goods are some of the most popular father of the groom gifts because they feel extra-luxe. If it's about time he wrangled all his toiletries, buy him this personalized Dopp kit. He can use the monogrammed bag while he's getting ready for the wedding and well beyond.
By Page XL personalized Dopp kit father gift, from $64, Etsy.com
15. A Custom Fishing Lure
Leave your mark on his favorite hobby with this sweet, personalized fishing lure. You can have it printed with a special, playful message like: "I love you more than you love fishing." And yes, the steel father of the groom gift works as a real hook.
Vintage Star Engraving custom fishing lure gift for dad, from $17, Etsy.com
16. Personalized Golf Balls
The golf dad will definitely appreciate a set of personalized golf balls—especially if they're from a trusted brand like Titleist. (Dad only deserves the best.) Order a box with his name, initials or a message on each ball. You even get to pick from a few text colors—what about something that nods to your wedding's color palette?
Titleist 2020 AVX personalized golf balls, $52, DicksSportingGoods.com
17. A Cheeky Whiskey Glass
The Old Fashioned drinker will flash a grin when he sees this "call me old fashioned" rocks glass. Personalize it with his name, title (Dad), initials or the wedding date.
The Knot Shop personalized whiskey glass with Call Me Old Fashioned print, $15, TheKnotShop.com
18. A Vintage-Inspired Game Set
Pay tribute to the game he taught you to play (and his father taught him to play) with this stylish, personalizable backgammon set. Better yet, offer to sit down for a match on the morning of the wedding to calm everybody's nerves in the getting-ready room. It's so nice, he'll want to pass it down to future generations.
My Personal Memories personalized wooden backgammon set, $50, Etsy.com
19. A Fun Candle
Thought Dad didn't like candles? Think again. This Etsy seller makes them using recycled liquor bottles, beer bottles and beer cans. Get him one representing his go-to beverage brand to prove just how well you know him. We have a hunch he'll get a kick out of it—and show it off to all his friends.
716 Candle Co. candles, from $15 each, Etsy.com
20. This Tree Ring Pen
Fancy pens are also resilient wedding gifts for fathers of the groom. What better excuse to get him something he wouldn't splurge on for himself? This one is made from sustainably sourced wood to display a tree's rings, which beautifully represent the passing of time. Get his engraved with special dates, like when your story together began and the wedding date.
Tree Ring Co natural history rollerball, from $165, TreeRingPens.com
21. A Stylish Photo Keychain
This good-looking leather keychain comes stamped with his initials or name, but that's not all. Fill it with up to 10 photo "slides" that he can spin out when he wants to do a little reminiscing and tuck away when he's finished. Talk about a creative and unique father of the groom gift.
Gillian Arnold Artist personalized leather photo slide keychain, from $45, Etsy.com
22. An Engraved Picture Frame
Here's one more way to gift your father memories: a customized picture frame with a wedding portrait. The top of the frame comes engraved with the words, "I wouldn't be the man I am today without my father." The bottom comes personalized with a "love, [your name]" and, yep, the wedding date.
Lifetime Creations personalized father of the groom gift picture frame, from $35, Etsy.com
