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Trawling the internet for personalised gifts for Dad? Step away from the novelty socks! If you want to connect with him on a deeper level, experience gifts are the way to go.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that experiential presents strengthen relationships more than material ones. So, this Father’s Day, why not gift Dad a moment you can share? Swap the “World’s Best Dad” mug for a latte art class and trade in the cookbook for a pasta-making workshop!
Whether he’s a lover of footy, food, literature or pub trivia, the perfect gift for him is out there. And with the help of our handy Father’s Day quiz, you’re minutes away from finding it.
Dad’s Day gift quiz
1. When he was younger, he dreamed of becoming…
A: Head chef at his own restaurant
B: An artist or frontman of a band
C: A vet or conservationist
D: An architect or designer
E: A museum curator or archaeologist
2. It’s the weekend. What’s on Dad’s (hypothetical) agenda?
A: Dinner at the newest restaurant in town
B: Catching a live gig or checking out a local art gallery
C: Gardening, kayaking, or scouting a new trail in the National Park
D: Fixing the sink – even if it isn’t dripping
E: Listening to author talks at his local writer’s festival
3. Dad’s claim to fame is…
A: Whipping up the best [insert dish here] you’ve ever tasted
B: Creating the perfect Spotify playlist or quoting obscure poets over dinner
C: His encyclopedic knowledge of flora and fauna
D: Fixing objects you thought were beyond repair
E: Having an answer for almost every question
4. He would never…
A: Turn down seconds (or thirds) at a food truck festival
B: Sell his records or artworks
C: Miss a sunrise hike (rain, hail or sideways sleet)
D: Replace his worn-out work boots
E: Part with his extensive book collection
5. Dad’s mediocre superpower would be…
A: A digestive system of steel (more cheese, please!)
B: Naming every song on the radio before the chorus hits
C: Reviving house plants that seemed beyond saving
D: Magically fix things – no manual needed
E: Reciting obscure historical dates... in chronological order
Want to get really personal? Find personalised gifts for Dad in our guide!
Time for the big reveal...
Mostly A's: The fingerlicking foodie
As they say, the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. And this age old adage rings true for your foodie dad. While he might not be ready to audition for MasterChef, he’ll appreciate the chance to do what he loves most this Father’s Day: eat.
The ideal gift for him:
Treat Dad’s tastebuds to a cooking class or a food or drink tasting. From pasta-making workshops to gin distilling, these sumptuous experience gifts are a low-key way to learn new recipes and skills while spending quality time together.
Over to you:
“I took a gnocchi-making class with my dad as a Father’s Day gift and it was absolutely fantastic! The teacher was knowledgeable, patient and made the class engaging for everyone. The best part was working together with my dad, sharing laughs, and enjoying a delicious meal we created ourselves. It was such a memorable bonding experience.” – Eden H.
Feeling inspired? Find a gnocchi-making class near you.
Mostly B's: The patron of the arts
Your dad still remembers the name of that band he saw at uni in '85 and thinks he knows Banksy’s true identity. If he’s not at a gig, he’s brainstorming ideas for a short story he’ll (probably) never finish. While he appreciates art in all its forms, he hasn’t picked up a pen, paintbrush or guitar pick in a hot minute.
Father’s Day gift ideas:
Take Dad behind the scenes at a beginner-friendly art class, music workshop to photography course. Whether he’s musical, artistic, theatrical or otherwise, he’ll appreciate the chance to flex his creative muscles in a social, low-pressure environment.
Over to you:
Sheena B. gifted this Resin Art Class: Cheeseboard and Coasters to her dad and said:
“Absolutely fabulous class. I bought it for a Father's Day present for my dad and me to hang together and do something we’re both interested in: resin. GREAT teacher. GREAT class.”
Mostly C's: The outdoor enthusiast
It’s hard to keep this nature-loving papa cooped up inside. Whether he’s working in the garden, walking in the bush or zipping around on his bike, he feels happiest and healthiest in the great outdoors.
Best Father’s Day gifts for him:
From astronomy and stargazing in South Aus to beekeeping in Sydney, Dad will be chuffed to receive one of these nature-inspired experiences. Bring the outside in at a terrarium construction and design class in Perth, learn to surf at Bondi Beach or get your hands dirty at a truffle hunting experience.
Over to you:
Melissa Cowley gifted her dad this Creative Kokedama Workshop and said:
“We both enjoyed the workshop, following instructions and learning in a practical, hands-on way. We’ve been able to take what we learnt and apply it to make more at home. Our kokedamas are still going strong a month later.”
Mostly D's: The tinkerer
Your dad likes to stay busy and always needs to be working on something. Much like his collection of tools, his list of DIY projects is never-ending. This Father’s Day, gift him the chance to tinker with new materials and mediums while spending time with his favourite child – you!
Gift suggestions for Father’s Day:
Celebrate his love of craftsmanship with a thoughtful gift experience that’s practical and personal. Learn to whittle at a woodworking class, make a knife at a metalworking session or discover the secrets of bike maintenance. For a fiery Father’s Day gift, consider a glassblowing workshop where he’ll learn to transform raw materials into eye-catching ornaments.
Over to you:
Lilyka Uzelac gifted his dad this Glass Blowing Class for Beginners and said:
“Mark was an excellent teacher. Very experienced and attentive. It was an amazing time and my dad loved this as a present. Our trinkets are going in his pool room.”
Mostly E's: The history buff
Dad’s idea of fun is talking about Roman aqueducts and Cold War politics. He’s a walking encyclopedia, a lover of all things old and dusty and jumped at the chance to help with your Year 7 history project. If his perfect weekend involves a museum visit or documentary, you’ve got yourself a hardcore history nerd.
The ideal gift for him:
Celebrate Dad’s unending curiosity with a gift that’s steeped in history. Dating back to around 20,000 BC, pottery is one of the world’s oldest crafts – which makes these hands-on clay classes a fitting gift idea. If medieval history is more his thing, consider a blacksmithing workshop where he’ll learn to shape steel with fire. From the Mesopotamian art of mosaic-making to the time-honoured practice of oil painting, these unique gift ideas will breathe new life into his favourite history books.
Over to you:
“I received the knife making class from my family for Father’s Day,” says Rhys J. “Upon arriving at the forge, I was greeted by the blacksmith Ron who was very informative and helpful at all stages of the lesson. I would recommend this to anyone looking to get some pointers on the basics of blacksmithing. A great feeling of accomplishment going from a billet of steel to a knife, then making a sheath in a single lesson.”
