10 gift ideas for him: Father’s Day and Christmas 2026

On the second Sunday of November, 8 November 2026, both Estonia and Finland celebrate Father's Day. Just a few weeks later, the Christmas season begins. Ahead of both occasions, the same question comes up: what can you give your dad, grandfather or someone close to you who seems to have everything they need?

Consumer surveys and shops' Christmas ranges favour practical, well-made items that get used right away. Here are ten gift ideas that typically cost under €60 and make good gifts for Father's Day or Christmas.

1. Warm merino wool socks with a message or forest animal pattern

A good pair of wool or merino wool socks usually costs €8 to €20 in shops. Merino wool keeps feet warm, lets the skin breathe, and is comfortable to wear from autumn to spring.

Nordic forest animal motifs, such as foxes, wolves, and deer, are the most common designs. Socks with a message dedicated to dad are harder to find, which makes them a lovely find.

NordicFeel plans to include merino wool socks from the Estonian maker Sokisahtel in its range: the PARIM ISA model for Father's Day, the deer-patterned ROEDEER and JINGLEDEER models for winter, and the wolf-patterned WOLFSTAR model.

2. A good bar of soap and men’s grooming products

Natural grooming products such as tar soap, beard oil, and shower gel usually cost €8 to €30. Stockmann's Father's Day recommendations also highlight beard oils and quality skincare. Soap and grooming products get used up in daily life, making them useful gifts.

For our upcoming gift sets, we plan to include natural pine-tar soap from the Estonian maker Nurme, with a resinous scent that brings to mind the sauna and the forest.

3. Sauna comforts: a felt hat, linen towel or stone cup

The sauna is an important part of Nordic relaxation. The smoke sauna tradition in Võromaa was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014, followed by Finland's sauna culture in 2020.

A sturdy felt sauna hat, a fast-drying linen sauna towel, or a soapstone cup for the sauna heater typically costs €15 to €40. Felt protects the head from the heat of the sauna and makes the sauna session more comfortable. We also plan to add Nordic sauna accessories to the NordicFeel range soon.

4. Handmade chocolate – sharing is optional

Quality chocolate priced at €5 to €20 is a reliable gift. According to Lidl Finland's 2025 survey, people buying Christmas gifts at grocery stores most often chose sweets and chocolate (67 percent).

NordicFeel also plans to include bars from the Finnish handmade chocolate maker Goodio, whose winter flavours suit a festive evening.

5. A slim leather card holder for everyday essentials

Many men prefer a slim leather card holder over a bulky wallet, as it slips comfortably into a jacket or trouser pocket. Card holders of this kind generally cost €20 to €40. A leather card holder lasts for years and looks better with use. We plan to add leather card holders to the NordicFeel range soon as well.

6. Wool or felt slippers for cold floors and slow mornings

During the cold months, warm indoor slippers are a practical gift for both fathers and grandfathers. Slippers made of natural felt or sheep's wool usually cost €25 to €40. Stockmann's Father's Day selection also features slippers alongside bathrobes and pyjamas.

7. A good book or board game for long winter evenings

Books and board games typically cost €15 to €45. Local literature is highly valued in Estonia: according to ERR, ten of the 15 bestselling books at Rahva Raamat at the end of 2025 were by Estonian authors. Rahva Raamat's Christmas recommendations also include books, board games, and music that bring the family together at Christmas.

8. Plans together, plus something small to open on the day

Lidl Finland's survey highlighted an interesting contrast: people often wish for experiences, gift cards, or money for themselves, yet buy practical items for others. You can easily combine the two. Invite your dad to a sauna evening, a forest walk, or dinner together, and add a small gift, such as warm merino wool socks or a bar of good chocolate. That way, the recipient also has something to unwrap.

9. A small gift box with two or three well-matched items

When a single item feels too small on its own, a gift box combining two or three practical products works well. For example, merino wool socks, natural tar soap, and handmade chocolate make a set that costs under €60. A ready-made set saves shopping time, and every item inside gets used.

10. A personal note in a card or a small engraving

Etsy's 2025 holiday trends overview highlighted personalised and custom-made items. A personal gift need not involve a complicated custom order. Often a handwritten card with a few sincere sentences and words of thanks is more than enough.

How to choose a gift for everyday enjoyment

When choosing a gift, keep four simple principles in mind:

• Practicality: pick an item the recipient will use every day or on weekends.
• Natural materials: merino wool, linen, wood, and leather are durable and pleasant to use.
• Knowing the maker: favour small makers from the Nordics and other European countries whose work you know and trust.
• A personal note: include a card with a few words of your own. Thoughtfulness is the most important part of any gift.

Sources

• Overview and dates of Father's Day in Finland (Finnish Wikipedia)
• Lidl Finland Christmas gift survey, December 2025 (STT Info)
• Stockmann Father's Day gift recommendations page
• ERR: Estonian authors top 2025 year-end book sales charts
• Rahva Raamat Christmas recommendations list
• Etsy 2025 holiday trends overview (Sunset)
• UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list: Smoke sauna tradition in Võromaa
• Finnish Government: Finland's sauna culture on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list