Black Friday Shopping for Dads: A Survival Guide (From the Dads Themselves)

Brought to you by Only Dads USA – where the drip is dad-approved and the jokes are slightly inappropriate.

Black Friday is that magical time of year when your email fills up with “CAN’T MISS” deals and Dad quietly whispers, “I can definitely miss most of those.”

 

 

But let’s be honest:

Most dads don’t need another tie.

Most dads don’t want another “World’s Best Dad” mug.

And absolutely no dad is asking for socks “that feel like a hug.”

So, whether you’re a spouse, kid, or a dad shopping for yourself like the responsible legend you are, here’s your Black Friday Shopping for Dads guide—loaded with dad humor and tailored to the Only Dads vibe.

 

 

 

1. Rule #1: If It Makes Him Say “Nice,” Buy It

Dads have a universal approval system:

• “Cool” = I’ll use it.
• “Nice” = I love it, but I’m pretending not to.
• “What’s this?” = You missed. Badly.

When in doubt, aim for the “Nice” head nod and tiny smirk. That’s our version of tears.

 

Things that usually hit “Nice” level:

•  Hats that say what we’re thinking but can’t say at PTA meetings
• Tees that get a laugh at the cookout
• Gear that matches our hobbies: grilling, golfing, bourbon-sipping, kid-chauffeuring, and pretending we’re still athletic

This is where Only Dads comes in clutch.

 

 

 

2. The Dad Starter Pack: Black Friday Edition

Let’s break down some classic dad archetypes and what to look for when the deals start flying.

 

a. The F-Bomb Dad (The “Filter? Never met her” Guy)

 

This is the dad who drops F-bombs… lovingly. The guy who looks at a broken lawnmower and says things the neighbors definitely heard.

 

Black Friday Wins for F-Bomb Dad:

• Graphic tees or hats with bold, playful designs (like an F-bomb logo) that say, “I’m exhausted but still funny.”
• Casual gear he can wear to kid sports, Home Depot runs, and “accidental” naps on the couch.

Think: apparel that lets him be himself without getting fully banned from family photos.

 

b. The Bourbon Dad

 

 

 

This is the dad who knows the difference between bourbon, whiskey, and “stuff your cousin brought that tastes like lighter fluid.”

 

Black Friday Wins for Bourbon Dad:

• A Bourbon Dad tee or hat he can proudly wear while he “samples” one more pour.
• Apparel that looks good with jeans, a flannel, and that one pair of shoes he refuses to throw away.

Bonus move: Pair the gear with an actual bottle. Outfit + bourbon = Dad pretending he doesn’t like attention while absolutely loving it.

c. The Grill Dad

This dad believes:

• 38 degrees outside = perfect grilling weather
• “I’ll handle the grill” = his love language

Black Friday Wins for Grill Dad:

• Tees and hats that declare his status: “Grill Boss,” “BBQ Dad,” or something that says, “Yes, I do need 12 different rubs.”
• Performance hats he can wear while sweating over the grill like it’s the Olympics.

Add in a spatula shaped like a weapon and you’ve created pure joy.

d. The Girl Dad / Teenage Daughter Survivor

If he’s a Girl Dad or living through the Teenage Daughter Era, the man deserves a medal. At minimum, a funny shirt.

Black Friday Wins for Girl Dad:

• “Girl Dad” gear that reminds him he’s a bodyguard, Uber driver, therapist, and ATM all in one.
• “Teenage Daughter Survivor” style designs that make other dads at school pickup nod in silent solidarity.

He may not understand her mood swings, but he understands good merch.

e. The “I’m Not Old, I’m Just Sore” Dad

This dad used to play pickup basketball. Now his warm-up is ibuprofen and a stretch that looks like a medical event.

Black Friday Wins for Sore Dad:

• Comfy hoodies, beanies, and dad-bod-approved tees.
• Performance hats for “light jogs” that turn into walks and “5Ks” that somehow end at a brewery.

If the gear makes his dad bod look intentional, you win.

3. What NOT to Get Dad on Black Friday

Let’s just call this what it is:

Dad does not want:

• Another tie “for work” (especially if he’s on Zoom 80% of the time)
• A fancy candle “for relaxation” (we relax by sitting in silence staring at a wall)
• A full matching “family pajamas” set and that’s it
• A “coupon book” of chores you might do one day (we know the conversion rate. It’s low.)

If you really love him, get him something that feels like him, not something that feels like an obligation.

4. Shopping Strategy: How to Win Black Friday for Dad

Here’s your step-by-step, Only Dads-approved plan:

Step 1: Stalk His Closet (Politely)

Open his closet or dresser:

• What does he actually wear?
• Which hats are beat to death because they’re his favorites?
• Which shirts are in the constant wash rotation?

Your mission:

Find that vibe, then upgrade it, Only Dads style.

Step 2: Think “Everyday Wear,” Not “Once a Year”

The best dad gifts are:

• Worn to the grocery store
• Thrown on for kid drop-off
• Rocked at backyard BBQs, Saturday errands, or on the couch watching the game

If it only comes out on Father’s Day or Christmas, it’s a miss.

Think: hats and tees he’ll wear “just running out real quick” that still make him look like the legend he is.

 

Step 3: Let Him Laugh at Himself

 

Dads love gear that:

• Makes fun of how tired we are
• Acknowledges we have no idea what our teenagers are talking about
• Celebrates that we’re still trying, even if our back hurts from sleeping wrong

That’s the Only Dads sweet spot:

 

Real dad life. Real dad jokes. Real comfortable gear.

 

 

 

5. Dads: How to Subtly (or Not-So-Subtly) Get What You Want

 

If you’re a dad reading this, here’s how to avoid another year of “honey, I thought you needed khakis.”

Option A: The Screenshot Method

 

1. Go to OnlyDadsUSA.com
2. Screenshot your favorite hats and tees
3. “Accidentally” send it to your spouse, kids, or family group chat with:
   “Oops. Didn’t mean to send this. But since it’s here…”

 

Option B: The Cart Method

Load the cart with your favorites and leave it open on the laptop.

Dads are subtle. But not that subtle.

Option C: The Direct Method

Just say:

“Hey, anything from Only Dads would be awesome.”

We respect the clarity.

6. How Only Dads Fits Your Black Friday Game Plan

Why shop Only Dads for Black Friday?

Because:

• The designs are built for dads by people who actually get dad life
• The humor is on-brand for all the chaos we’re living through
• The gear is comfortable enough for couch naps and cool enough for public appearances

From F-Bomb Performance Hats to Bourbon Dad tees, Girl Dad gear, and everything in between, it’s all about celebrating the dudes who show up, screw up, laugh it off, and try again tomorrow.

7. Final Tip: Buy Now, Roast Later

Black Friday is your chance to:

• Save some money
• Give Dad something he’ll actually wear
• And maybe roast him just enough to make him laugh every time he puts it on

So whether he’s the Grill Dad, Bourbon Dad, Sports Dad, Girl Dad, or the “I’m just here for snacks” Dad…

Hook him up with gear that matches his chaos.

Ready to upgrade Dad’s closet from “random free T-shirts” to “Certified Only Dads Energy”?

👉 Head over to OnlyDadsUSA.com, load up on dad hats, tees, and hoodies, and turn this Black Friday into Dad Friday.

Because at the end of the day, Dad doesn’t want more stuff.

He wants more laughs, more comfort, and maybe one more hat “for the rotation.”