Makers are tough to buy for. They have very specific needs, and a well intentioned tool purchase may end up being useless due some minutia.
Personally, my dad is one of the toughest people to shop for. He works a lot, and supports the family—at the cost of his own hobbies and interests.
So I've started to give him gifts that help him find a hobby.
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Photo Credit: Author, Hales
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If you're tired of not knowing what to get the man in your life, or your dad has no hobbies, check out the gifts on this gift guide. These kits are all self contained DIY projects, that leave him with a handmade item and a sense of accomplishment.
These kits aren't all tools related, we've got DIY gift kits for the chef, gardener, techie, and builder. We also list multiple gifts at different price points for each gift type.
Do make sure to read what's included, so you know if any additional tools are needed for these DIY kit gifts.
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The DIY Knife Making Kit by Man Crate
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1 DIY Knife Kit ($29.99 - $149)
They're gonna make a knife with this kit. Seems a little self explanatory, until you wonder how knives are made. That may just be the ADHD though.
Most of these kits consist of grinding the metal blade, carving and staining the handle, and sewing a leather sheathe.
Here are three options at different price points:
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FlashForge 3D Printer.
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3D Printer ($190 - $$$)
Home 3D printers have improved at a fascinating rate. While still pricey, they're still a reachable price for a gift (for some people). A starter home 3D printer can run about $190, with higher end models going up to as much as you're willing to spend.
3D printers can be used to print replacement parts for home items and vehicles, or used to create awesome home goods. Honestly, provided you have the right printer and additional items, there’s not much that a 3D printer can’t make.
3D printers are a great gift for men with no hobbies, because they can use it to build just about anything. If he doesn’t have a hobby yet, he will after you give him this.
Carving or Whittling DIY Kit ($25 - $60)
These carving kits come with all of the tools and resources needed to complete the project. They come with instructions, and some have additional YouTube videos to help as well.
I haven't personally tried the BeaverCraft brand yet, but looking at the quality of their products and reviews, they would be my first stop.
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Gift this hot sauce kit to your
man for his birthday.
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Give them a Gift That Will Benefit You - Food Kits ($9.99 - $60)
If your man isn't into cooking as a hobby yet, suggest one of these DIY food kits as a gift. They'll get all of the non-perishable items, tools, and instructions necessary to make the item.
This section will have more items than normal. I got excited, and there are a ton of really interesting food kit options on Amazon.
Thankfully, there's also a large price difference, meaning that this is a gift option that should fit in most people's budget.
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Screenshot from Amazon.
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Give Them Something to Build ($32 - $230)
Do we ever really grow out of legos? I don’t think so. Most adults that I know will gladly play with legos if they get chance, they just won’t buy them for themselves.
If plastic bricks aren’t the sweet spot, there’s plenty of other kits that are similar.
Plus, I don’t know many dads who have been gifted a robot, that didn’t enjoy it.
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He probably needs to make his
own DIY speaker.
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How about Some Wires and Motors? ($15.99 - $73)
Maybe you're looking for a gift for a man with no hobbies, but he is interested in tech.
Pick up one of these hands on techie kits.
- This DIY Bluetooth Speaker (Pictured) for $15.99 contains everything needed to create a Bluetooth speaker, including the motherboard, subwoofer, wires, bits and bobs, and instructions. You will still need four batteries.
- Mega Robotic Starter Kit from ELEGOO for $62 will give him everything he needs to finally make the house 'smart.' Or maybe he'll build a robot army.
- Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane RC Kit for $73. Honestly, this seems like one of those things that my dad would buy me, and then spend the entire day playing with himself.
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Next time you need new chainmail,
you won't have to buy it.
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Maybe He Should Be a Blacksmith? ($88 - $135)
I'm not sure about the rest of the population, but in the tech sector, there's been a huge surge in men picking up blacksmithing as a hobby.
Let's be honest. It's fire, hot metal, and hitting things. Most men would at least want to try the activity, but don't know where to start, or believe the start up costs are too high.
Relieve some of that anxiety so he can try his hand at becoming the blacksmith of his day dreams, by picking up one of these gifts:
- DIY Couples Ring Kit - $135. This kit provides everything you need to hand make two gold rings. There is no need for a forge, since these are shaped with hammers. The rings are made from two 18k gold plated brass plates.
- The Complete Chainmail Kit for $119 includes everything to get started with chainmail: tutorials and instructions, pliers, clasps, and over 4 pounds of different sized rings. (Pictured)
- This Portable Propane Forge ($88) is a perfect solution for folks who live in an area where a full forge is not an option. It won't work for everything, but it should give him a place to start.
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Gift him a whiskey infusion system
for Christmas.
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He can't be an alcoholic if it's artisan. ($39 - $70)
Listen, if he's going to drink, at least he can be classy about it.
Gift these custom cocktail kits to your boyfriend, dad, or whoever needs a little herbal therapy with their drink of choice.
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A hyrodroponic growing system makes a great gift.
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Give the Gift of Growth This Year ($29 -$79)
Not personal growth. This is a gift, not an invitation to change their life.
Give the gift of trying to break the curse of killing every house plant for generations. Maybe that's just me.
Anyway, let there be light, dirt, and moisture with these plant kits.
Sure, He Could Be a Leather Worker
After a certain age, men seems to focus on side quests. I do not know why, but leather working is on the list of common side quests for men who's children are grown-ish. I don't make the rules, I'm just here to give you links and make this easier.
Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? Check Out These Other Gift Guides:
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