The Best Father’s Day Gifts for Under $50 in Canada

Help dad recharge and benefit from some aromatherapy with Canadian wellness brand Moonday’s soothing Cedarwood & Sage Soy Wax Candle. Not only does it add atmosphere to any space, its unique blend of woodsiness and smoke is perfect for outdoorsy types. The candle is free of parabens and phthalates, using essential oils. Best part? The jar is reusable, so you can help dad give it a second life by using it as a planter or something else.

Cedarwood & Sage Soy Wax Candle, Moonday, $25.

Toronto-born sustainable fashion brand Good For Sunday has launched the ultimate nostalgia-filled collab Dad is sure to appreciate: BodyBreak. If you had access to Canadian television in the ‘90s, you’re likely familiar with the iconic segment BodyBreak, Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod. The pair not only encouraged us to keep fit, but to have fun while doing it. And what better way to acknowledge this throwback than with a hat dad will love. All Good For Sunday pieces are 100 per cent designed and made in Canada by family-owned companies, encouraging fair labour and quality Canadian craftsmanship.

BodyBreak Keep Fit Have Fun Hat, Good For Sunday, $48.

Canadian-made vegan and gluten-free Smokeshow Sauce makes other great go-to kits for BBQ and hot sauce-lovers alike in a variety of combinations and flavours. If dad is a fan of Caesars and spice, this all-in-one kit is a thoughtful nod to his favourite things.

Smoky, Spicy Caesar Kit, Smokeshow Sauce, $30.

Keep dad’s kicks nice and new-looking with the help of this cute and compact travel shoe kit. It comes with cleaner, a brush, a microfiber towel and a few quick wipes, making it an essential kit that’s also the perfect size to keep in the car or bring along with him on his next business trip.

Travel shoe kit, Indigo, $32.

Gone are the days of bulky wallets that made dad’s bum feel crooked when he sat down. These days, there are gorgeous and sleek designs that are made for all of the stylish pops out there. This slim, leather design features linen thread stitching, has two compartments and is handmade in Quebec. It also comes in black, and, because of how it’s made, no two are actually alike.

Minimalist Slim Wallet, Simons, $50.

If dad loves to grill, or gets excited at the thought of crafting something meaty and unique in the kitchen, an equally unique cookbook might be the thing for him. This home-sausage-making book is full of recipes and tips, and is perfect for giving dad a delicious new hobby that he’ll probably even share with you. (Because obviously you’re coming over for dinner if there are homemade sausages on the grill.)

Home Sausage Making, Indigo, $31.

There’s no better time than summer to enjoy a nice cup of cold brew coffee, especially when you can craft it at home. This particular glass pitcher is hand-selected and mouth blown, and features a micro-fine filter that keeps all of those grinds out of dad’s finished cup. This model holds up to two litres of coffee at a time, and dismantles into three parts for easy cleaning. In other words, he’ll be buzzing by this thoughtful gift.

BOZ Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, Amazon, $40.

Whether dad likes to hit up the gym, the trails or just spend time outdoors, the gift of new clothes are always in style. This lightweight pullover features fast-dry fabric to help get rid of any perspiration and keeps your body cool, making it an essential piece on those cooler summer days.

Under Amour Men’s Tech Pullover Hoodie, SportChek, $50.

Sometimes the simpler things in life are also the finest. If your pops enjoys trying new red wines and has been known to invest in a whiskey barrel aged varietal or two, consider introducing him to this private selection merlot. It’s aged in rum barrels and features a full-bodied and smooth, dry finish, making it a unique bottle and conversation starter.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Rum Barrels Merlot, LCBO, $20.

If your father is a bit of a Brainiac who loves strategic puzzles but also likes to show off in front of a crowd, this fun board game could be a great gift. The whole point is to get three pieces of your colour in a row based on similar size, but add in some competitive components and this game is a lot more complex than it looks. You can play with the family or with friends!

Otrio Strategy-Based Board Game, Indigo, $40.

This father-based book is perfect for the guy who loves pop culture, old Hollywood, or stories of famous people. Author Joshua David Stein, the editor at large of Fatherly, has assembled behind-the-scenes stories of well-known fathers from the perspective of their kids, giving fans a whole new insight into the personalities of people like Samuel L. Jackson, Caitlyn Jenner and more.

To Me He Was Just Dad, Indigo, $30.

Dads everywhere are used to getting socks by now, but these socks come with a good cause: supporting wildlife. All proceeds from each pair sold on the WWF website goes towards supporting conservation projects. Plus they feature patterns with elephants, pandas and more. What more could you ask for from a sock? It’s no stretch that environmentally conscious dads will love them.

Wildlife Socks Bundle, WWF, $45.

If dad is one of those guys who doesn’t always remember to take care of himself, a toothbrush that simplifies at least one mark on the old self-care checklist could be perfect. This rechargeable electric toothbrush removes up to three times as much plaque as a manual toothbrush, plus it has a smart timer to make sure that dad is brushing for those full two minutes. Because who doesn’t want to tune out and scroll Instagram while brushing?

Phillips Sonicare DailyClean 2100, Amazon, $40.

Whether dad has a meeting or is hitting up the trails, this backpack has him covered. The comfy shoulder straps give this pack extra support, there is a side pocket for water bottles (or sleek on-the-go coffee cups), and the laptop sleeve fits most models up to 15 inches. We love the sporty camo design, but this bag also comes in several other patterns.

Columbia Zigzag 22L Backpack, Amazon, $47.

Whether dad loves to craft up a yummy cocktail or even just loves to entertain, help him invoke his inner Don Draper with this super stylish shaker. Made from high quality stainless steel with a mirror finish, dad won't have to worry about leaks. Get shaking!

Cresimo Stainless Steel Boston Shaker, Amazon, $24.

Facial hair may be in, but so is taking care of it. In that vein, gift dad this ultimate grooming and self-care kit, which includes beard shampoo, balm, oil, a brush and scissors. It’s guaranteed to keep dad’s beard clean and smooth, while also leaving him feeling fresh and fly. (Those will be his words, not yours.)

Beard Kit For Men, Amazon, $32.

What dad wouldn’t love a new pair of comfy moccasin-style slippers to keep his feet cozy while he catches up on the news? This sleek pair comes complete with a cooling memory foam insole and a warm lining, not to mention anti-skid rubber soles that make these the perfect thing to wear on any kind of flooring.

Isotoner Men's Microsuede Moccasin Slipper with Cooling Memory Foam for Indoor/Outdoor Comfort, Amazon, $37.

Sore muscles are a fact of life, especially as you get older. And because spa services haven’t always been easily accessible during the pandemic, now is as good a time as ever to invest in an at-home back and neck massager. The multiple settings will offer dad a bit of relief after a day in the garden, hitting up the trails or even for all those times he falls asleep on the couch.

Oliver James Cordless Deep Tissue Back Massager, Amazon, $38.

Dad can control this small-but-mighty speaker with his voice to play all of his favourite songs, from classic rock hits to '80s earworms. If he's the forgetful type, he can set reminders and alarms, too!

Google Nest Mini GEN2 Smart Speaker in Charcoal, Home Depot, $49.

Is there anything worse than bad Wi-Fi reception? Why yes: bad Wi-Fi reception in your own home. If dad has struggled with iffy connections in the past, maybe he’d benefit from the gift of an extender. This wireless signal booster plugs right into an outlet and helps boost your home’s original signal, giving dad so many more areas of the house to have a Houseparty in.

Wi-Fi Extender, Amazon, $40.

Help dad immerse himself in his beloved gaming world — and give peace to those around him — with a swanky new headset designed for whatever system he has. This pair comes with a mic and works with the Xbox One, laptops, Nintendo Switch and more, but the set also comes with seven automatically changing LED light colours to further enhance that video experience. Mario would be pleased.

Gaming Headset, Amazon, $34.