These Are the Gifts and Experiences for Dads Who Are Difficult to Shop For
They always say they have everything and insist they want nothing. But these thoughtful gifts and memorable experiences might just prove dads otherwise.
My father belongs to that classic coterie of dads who are annoyingly tricky to buy gifts for, making every Father’s Day, birthday, or special occasion feel like a guessing game—as if we hadn’t known each other all along. Ask him what he wants, and the answer is just a shrug or an impish “nothing.”
But perhaps that’s the challenge with many fathers—they’re not always the most expressive about what they want or need. They quietly make do with what they have, whether it’s the same bar of soap they use for both their face and body, or going along with what everyone else in the family wants to do for the weekend.
For anyone struggling to shop for these kinds of dads, consider this your guide. From grooming essentials for the low-maintenance father to thoughtful finds for those who love staying active, these gifts and experiences might just surprise the man who swears he doesn’t want anything.
Tennis day at Kerry Sports Manila
A lot of dads out there might miss the feeling of being an athlete back in their heyday and being on court. A tennis day to break a sweat at Kerry Sports Manila might just do the trick. Located inside Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, fitness and wellness dads will have a field day in its sprawling tennis court. This can help bring back movement for dads, and bring out the inner competitiveness they don’t want to admit they have, with the benefit of exercise.
Whether he’s a former tennis player or someone who picks up a racket occasionally to hit some balls, the experience is a good way to reconnect with each other, and have fun. A father’s day gift doesn’t always have to be wrapped in a box, it can also unfold in every backhand, forehand, and laughter shared.
Aside from tennis, there are also other recreational spaces at Kerry Sports Manila, including a gym, a squash court, an outdoor swimming pool, and even a ball pit area for the kids and dads-at-heart.
Officine Universelle Buly grooming kit
It’s slightly enviable that most dads don’t pay much attention to what they put on their face. But a good grooming kit from Officine Universelle Buly is so thoughtfully curated, it will inspire them to be more conscious of their skin care ritual even if they’re constantly on the move. Packed in an elegant leather case, this can fit snugly into a weekender bag for a business trip.
The kit houses almost every grooming product: a tube of toothpaste, hand cream, face cream, toothbrush, dental floss, shampoo, conditioner, shower oil, body lotion, perfume, lip balm, comb and a mirror. This elevates grooming to a routine more deliberate and intentional—without being overbearing. For the dad who has used the same basics for years (worse, an all-in-one soap), this is a gift that is not just luxurious but also expands his definition of self care.
For Him spa at The Peninsula Manila
The last thing on most fathers’ minds is to treat himself to a spa day. Take him to one at The Peninsula Manila, which offers a For Him treatment for 6,000 pesos—a sea salt and aloe vera body polish and a combination Swedish and Shiatsu massage.
This is for the father who consistently chooses to provide, and rarely allows himself to loosen up and truly enjoy. Father’s Day is a good opportunity to let time go by, and where activities can be indulgent yet restorative, to ease the tension carried by your dad’s body for so long. Plus, this can help recharge him for the next week ahead.
Brunello Cucinelli Vento Ardente Perfume
A perfume is always a good idea to gift dads, because chances are it’s already part of their daily routine. For fathers who want to smell good without smelling like everyone else, Brunello Cucinelli’s new offering Vento Ardente, which is available at Rustan’s, is a classic-in-the-making. It opens with warmth and the spice of saffron, unfolding into soft notes of Turkish rose—an unexpected yet elegant pairing. The combination of woody cypriol and leather anchors the scent, making it a bottle dads will reach for even among others on their shelf.
This fragrance doesn’t overwhelm a room; instead, it settles close to the skin, becoming a subtle extension of his character. Refined and composed, it pairs perfectly with a well-tailored suit. This is a gift that feels thoughtful and respectful of how he carries himself—calm, confident, and assured.
Hair loss consultation and treatment at Clinique De Paris
Hair loss and, later on, a receding hairline are common for men. A hair check-up at Clinique De Paris can help dad figure out the reason why, and restore his thick luscious locks and confidence. But more than fixing a receding hairline, the experience can help bring attention to scalp health and hair conditions that may have gone unnoticed.
Clinique de Paris offers hair loss treatments including Direct Hair Implantation (DHI), a surgical method to place healthy hair follicles in the balding areas with no stitching to prevent visible scars. They also have non-surgical treatments like Collagen Mesotherapy, and Exosome therapy. A consultation can help start the treatment that is personalized to your father’s needs.
Malin+Goetz styling cream and pomade
They say hair is a man’s makeup, good hairstyling products from Malin+Goetz can elevate his daily hairstyling routine. The Malin+Goetz sage styling cream can help add shine and tame frizz. For dads who prefer a stronger hold, the Malin+Goetz hair pomade can create volume, shape and texture while giving the hair nourishment through meadow foam seed and soybean oils, which help lock in moisture.
These products are easy to use and fit right into an existing routine without adding steps—perfect for dads who are creatures of habit.
Garmin Venu X1 smart watch
There is always a story behind a man and his watch. This Father’s Day, gift him with a watch that doesn’t simply tell time, but also keeps track of his well-being. The Garmin Venu X1 Watch is a companion for health and movement that tracks sleep, gives a pulse-oximetry reading, and a morning report to tell you about your sleep quality and readiness for the day. To jumpstart your dad’s fitness tracking, the watch has 100 preloaded sports apps from running apps to golf.
For the well-traveled father, there is also a jet-lag adviser to guide light exposure, sleep schedule and exercise. It’s also easy to use, for the less-techy dads with its huge screen display and voice command options. The Venu X1 is also stylishly modern and sleek, so it pairs well beyond gym clothes.
Keeping him in mind is the best gift
My father used to always tell me whenever I obsess over what to give him, “Being remembered is enough.” The beauty of a gift or experience does not lie in its price tag, nor in how luxurious or exclusive it may be. Whether it is a bottle of perfume or in a game of tennis, what matters most is the thought and memories that come with it. Father’s Day, after all, is more than just finding the perfect gift—it is about appreciating our fathers for everything they do for us and our family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Standout Manila experiences for dads include a tennis day at Kerry Sports Manila inside Shangri-La The Fort, a For Him spa treatment at The Peninsula Manila (PHP 6,000), and a hair consultation at Clinique De Paris — each suited to different dad archetypes and activity levels.
The Officine Universelle Buly grooming kit includes toothpaste, hand cream, face cream, toothbrush, dental floss, shampoo, conditioner, shower oil, body lotion, perfume, lip balm, comb, and a mirror — all housed in a leather case sized for a weekender or travel bag.
The Peninsula Manila’s For Him treatment (PHP 6,000) begins with a Sea Salt and Aloe Vera Body Polish, followed by a combined Swedish and Shiatsu massage. It is designed as a restorative session for men who rarely schedule time for personal care or recovery.
Clinique De Paris offers both surgical and non-surgical hair loss treatments for men, including Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) — a no-stitch follicle placement method — as well as Collagen Mesotherapy and Exosome therapy. A personalized consultation precedes any recommended treatment plan.
The Garmin Venu X1 tracks sleep quality, pulse oximetry, and daily readiness via a morning report. It includes 100 preloaded sports apps, a jet-lag adviser for traveling dads, voice command support, and a large screen display — making it accessible for less tech-savvy users.
