Top Father’s Day 2025 Gift Trends and Selling Strategies for Online Sellers

Every June, Americans take a moment to celebrate dads. Father’s Day in 2025 lands on Sunday, June 15, and for online sellers, this holiday is more than just another gift-giving occasion. It’s a marketing opportunity packed with emotional value, seasonal relevance, and niche potential.

In this post, we’ll explore the history and cultural evolution of Father’s Day, how it’s celebrated today, what kinds of gifts people are buying, and how you can position your print-on-demand products for a successful sales season.

A Brief History of Father’s Day in the US

Father’s Day wasn’t always widely accepted. After Mother’s Day was formally recognized in 1914, efforts to establish a national day for dads met resistance—many viewed it as too commercial or unnecessary. But in 1972, President Nixon officially made Father’s Day a national holiday, and it has since become a permanent fixture in the American cultural calendar.

Initially rooted in traditional masculinity and family values, Father’s Day has evolved. Today’s interpretations of fatherhood are more flexible, inclusive, and emotionally open. That evolution is reflected in how people shop: buyers seek gifts that are humorous, sentimental, practical, or uniquely personal to the dad in question.

How Americans Celebrate Father’s Day Today

While Father’s Day spending continues to increase over time, it still falls well below the $33.5 billion consumers budgeted for Mother’s Day in 2024. And while many other key differences exist, one common factor stands out: men are more likely to celebrate both holidays and outspend women by a significant margin.

Unlike Mother’s Day, which tends to be brunch-heavy and emotion-forward, Father’s Day in the US is often more relaxed and centered around shared activities. Common celebrations include:

• Backyard barbecues or grilling sessions
• Sporting events (live or on TV)
• Outdoor adventures like fishing or camping
• Gifting and unboxing rituals
• Simple quality time at home

Many families skip elaborate plans and focus on what their dad enjoys most, whether that’s a peaceful morning coffee, a family hike, or a good laugh over a funny mug.

Online sellers should know that this holiday also leans heavily on last-minute shopping—many buyers wait until the week or even days before Father’s Day to order, meaning fast production and shipping are big value-adds.

Who’s Buying Gifts for Father’s Day?

Understanding the buyer helps tailor product messaging and listings. Based on US spending data and surveys:

• Adult children are the most active gift buyers
• Spouses and partners often buy “from the kids”
• Siblings or grandchildren may chip in for group gifts
• Pet owners also buy for their partners as “dog dads” or “cat dads”
• New moms often celebrate a partner’s first Father’s Day after childbirth

In 2024, Americans planned to spend over $22.4 billion on Father’s Day. 

The average gift spending was around $190. 

Source: NRF’s 2024 Father’s Day Spending Survey

Top categories included clothing, tools, personal care, home goods, and experience-based gifts.

Gift givers also prioritize personalized products—especially when humor or emotion is involved.

Dreamship Product Opportunities: What to Offer in 2025

If you're using Dreamship to power your store, here are ideal Father’s Day product categories to consider:

Drinkware (Tumblers and Mugs)

Perfect for every kind of dad—from the daily commuter to the camping enthusiast.

• Funny slogans (“Grill Sergeant,” “Dad Joke Loading…”)
• Personalized names or dates
• Nature or hobby-themed designs (fishing, hiking, lawn care)

Aprons and Kitchen Gear

Barbecue culture peaks in June, and “Grill Dad” is practically an archetype.

• “King of the Grill” apron
• Custom spice-themed designs or family titles
• Matching sets for Dad + Kid

Apparel (T-Shirts and Hoodies)

Dads love comfort. Tees with inside jokes or family-themed puns always do well.

• Coordinating “Dad & Me” shirts
• First-time dad announcements
• Retro “Dad Style” aesthetics (’80s and ’90s fonts, vintage sport themes)

Outdoor & Travel Gear

June is also the start of summer travel season.

• Personalized camping mugs
• Canvas bags for weekend getaways
• Travel tumblers with national park or state themes

Candles & Home Goods

Underrated, but surprisingly successful when themed for masculinity or fatherly vibes.

• Scents like “Old Books,” “Campfire,” or “Fresh Cut Grass”
• Labels with phrases like “Dad’s Recharge Zone” or “Smells Like Responsibility”

Browse Dreamship Products →

Top Gifting Themes That Resonate in 2025

While personalization is always important, the most successful Father's Day products tend to revolve around a few timeless themes—each appealing to different types of buyers and dads. Consider aligning your product listings and ad copy with one or more of these emotional hooks:

Humor and Sarcasm

Dads are known for their quirks, and buyers love to lean into it. Think dad jokes, playful insults, or exaggerated confidence.

• “World’s Okayest Dad”
• “Grillmaster General”
• “Fatherhood: Nailed It (Sort Of)”

Practicality and Utility

Many buyers want their gift to be useful—not just decorative. Functional items like tumblers, aprons, and mugs feel less wasteful and more thoughtful when paired with custom designs.

• Highlight dishwasher-safe drinkware, spill-proof lids, or extra insulation
• Bundle related items together (e.g., apron + tumbler for grilling dads)

Sentiment and Appreciation

Emotional gifts don’t have to be flowery—they just need to feel genuine. Especially for adult children, this is the category that makes Dad pause and smile.

• “Thanks for Always Showing Up”
• “My First Hero, My Forever Friend”
• Include handwritten-style fonts and family-based illustrations

Father’s Day Marketing Tips for Online Sellers

Start Early, End Loud

• Begin soft promotion in late May
• Use urgency-based ads the week before Father’s Day with language like “Ships in Time” or “Last Chance for Dad”

Segment Your Audience

• Use different visuals and copy for:
  • Dads with toddlers
  • Dog dads
  • Adult kids shopping for older fathers
  • First-time dads

Use Lifestyle Mockups

• Show products in use—BBQ scenes, cozy couch setups, camping gear in action
• Avoid sterile product-only listings when selling emotional gifts

Use Keywords Strategically

• “Best gifts for dad 2025”
• “Father’s Day mug ideas”
• “Funny dad gift”
• “Personalized gift for stepdad”
• “First Father’s Day gift”

The best-selling Father’s Day products in 2025 will hit one of three emotional notes: funny, functional, or from the heart. The more specific the story behind your product, the better it will perform. Whether you're designing a tumbler for the sarcastic stepdad or a candle for a new dad’s first quiet night off, make your listings relatable, useful, and meaningful.

And remember—today’s Father’s Day isn’t about outdated stereotypes. It’s about honoring the real, everyday ways dads (and dad-adjacent figures) show up.