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9 best Father's Day gifts under £20

Make sure you've got it all wrapped up before 19 June

Wednesday 25 May 2016 10:40 BST

This selection of presents proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get your gift game spot-on this Father’s Day. All of this lot comes in at under twenty quid, but they are things – from jazzy socks to seriously stylish espresso mugs – that he should get pleasure from using (rather than a novelty gift that just gets stuffed in a drawer). Just remember to check delivery dates to make sure he gets it in time.

1. Henry J Socks Subscription: From £17.97 for a three-month subscription, Not On The High Street

Socks are an underrated gift, we think. Everyone wears them and a subscription service means that your dad gets a new pair delivered to his door each month. This has a fun surprise element: British brand Henry J chooses which of its bold designs to send. The latest collection includes stripes, spots and stars, as well as some plainer options. Choose from a three, six or 12-month subscription of the cotton-rich socks. When you order you can select when it will be delivered, so just make sure it’s in time for 19 June.

2. Perudo: £15.99, John Lewis

If your dad is a fan of whole family game sessions, this simple-to-play but addictive South American dice game is one that the all generations can get involved in. Players guess and bluff their way through rounds as the number of dice on the table diminishes. The aim is to be the player left with one die. The whole set up comes in a drawstring pouch, so it’s one you can easily take on holidays, too.

3. LSA Circle Espresso Cup & Ash Saucer – Set of 2: £16, Amara

Dads who can’t function without a morning caffeine fix will like these simple but elegant white porcelain espresso cups that come with smart ash wood saucers (that will stop him complaining about ringmarks) and in a gift box.

4. Kikkerland Set of 4 Coloured Wood Steak Knives: £17.95, Rigby and Mac

Meat lovers will appreciate these colourful knives with birchwood handles. They’re sharp, look good on the table and come in a pleasingly rustic cardboard box.

5. Grillstock: The BBQ Book: £10, Amazon

Talking of meat, here’s a book for any wannabe pitmasters out there put together by the team who’ve pioneered the American BBQ scene in the UK with their meaty festivals and smokehouse restaurants. It includes over 100 recipes from their repertoire, as well as offerings from big names in the BBQ competition world. This will help your dad master ‘low ‘n’ slow’ cooking. Chapters are separated by meats, as well as burgers, sauces and “slurps” and there’s a section on how he can turn the bog-standard BBQ into a smoker. You have been warned.

6. Iris Natura: £19.99, Selfridges

Perhaps he’s more of a cheese man? If so, try this. As well as a swish 29cm wooden board, he gets five stainless steel knives to cut all textures of cheeses from a hard mature cheddar to a creamy brie or blue.

7. Oliver Bonas Whisky Wedge: £15, Oliver Bonas

This clever whisky wedge melts more slowly than normal ice cubes, so he’ll get a good few drams without any diluting of the flavour. It’s simple to make. He’ll just need to pop the included glass and water-filled silicone mould in the freezer for a good stretch (at least four hours), then sit back and enjoy some amber nectar on the rocks.

8. Lakrids No 2 Salty Liquorice: £8.50 for 175g, Fortnum and Mason

So you could get your dad some ubiquitous liquorice (naming no names). Or you could get him the gourmet version. Salty liquorice is a Nordic speciality and this is a posh (and very moreish) variety from Denmark. It’s intense, so is one for real liquorice lovers. If you’ve got more to spend, get the chocolate-coated one to go with it.

9. By Wirth keyring: £12, Royal Design

Not your average keyring, this by Danish design company By Wirth is striking, thanks to the cork and wooden spheres on the leather cord. It’s also a difficult one to lose. Comes in a range of colours.

Verdict

We think you can’t go wrong with the fun sock subscription. Foodies will love either the steak knives or the cheeseboard, and any dad who takes BBQ seriously won’t be able to get enough of Grillstock’s recipes – just make sure he makes you a burger or two as part of the deal.