Illustration: Dana Davis; Photo: Katie Quinn

If you have a dad in your life who insists he doesn’t need anything, here’s our advice: Try something unexpected that gets your whole family talking. One idea? Last Father’s Day, newsletters editor Brittney Ho and her sisters splurged on one of Wirecutter’s favorite smart bird feeders—a cheery, yellow house with a built-in camera that captures high-res footage of its visitors. A year later, her family group chat is still popping off with snapshots of first-time visitors and old regulars alike.

If you prefer a less avian route, take a page out of social video manager Katie Quinn’s book. Last year, she gifted her dad a way to compile his memories into a hardcover book using Storyworth, an online service beloved by several Wirecutter staffers.

Here’s how it works: For a year, your giftee will receive weekly writing prompts, encouraging them to share personal stories. “I absolutely loved curating my own questions for my dad,” writes Katie. “What was his mother like when he was a child? (Harried but always finding the humor in things.) How did he get his first job? (He worked as a paperboy and to this day, he’s incredibly punctual.)” At the end of the year, all of the writings are compiled into a hardcover book, complete with photos, headlines, and a customized cover.

If you’re still stumped, we’ll walk you through a few more of our favorite gifts for dads below.

A touching gift for the dad in your life→

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Our favorite digital photo frame will sprinkle your life with serendipitous joy “Every time you walk by or glance over, you’re greeted with a memory — delightful, tender, joyous, riotous, or even wistful.”

A melon baller can spark afternoons of fun More versatile than its name suggests, a melon baller is great for everything from portioning out cookies to whipping up mini meatballs to, of course, preparing fruit.

A cute, sushi-themed card game This fast-paced card game is simple enough for kids to master yet tricky enough for adults to enjoy.

Photo: Marki Williams

We’ve picked out a bunch of cool, inexpensive gifts for dads of all types, including a nifty wine opener, a little lamp with a hundred uses, and a pocket-sized power bank.

26 great doodads for Dad→

Anna Parini

One more idea to foster closeness: Our colleagues at NYT Well have crafted a five-day challenge that will help bring you closer to the people you value. Starting June 10, they’ll send you one quick, simple, and evidence-based strategy a day to help you strengthen your friendships and feel more connected to your social circle.

Sign up here→

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