Gift ideas for your father in Pakistan
Gifts for Abbu that he'll actually use, for his birthday, Father's Day or just because, sent from abroad.
Fathers in Pakistan are famously hard to buy for, and many will say they don't need anything. The gifts that work best are practical things he uses every day, a treat he wouldn't buy for himself, or something that brings the family together around him. Add a short card in your own words: most fathers won't say much about it, but they'll keep it.
Here's what to send for his birthday, Father's Day (the third Sunday of June) or just because.
The short version
- Something he uses every day: a shawl, a watch, good shoes or chappals.
- A treat he won't buy himself: good dates, dry fruit, his favourite mithai.
- Something for his hobby: books, the garden, his prayers.
- Something about family: a photo of the grandchildren, or a letter from you.
Things he'll use every day
Practical gifts are the safest bet, as long as they're better than what he has.
- A good shawl or waistcoat for winter. A Kashmiri or pashmina shawl is a classic gift for fathers.
- A watch, wallet or pen from a brand he trusts.
- Comfortable shoes or chappals: Peshawari chappals are a favourite. Ask a sibling for his size, and check what he wears now.
- Kurta shalwar in a fabric and colour he likes, for Jummah or Eid.
- A good umbrella or a warm jacket, if his old one is falling apart and he refuses to replace it.
Treats he won't buy himself
- Good dates: Ajwa or Medjool, in a nice box.
- Dry fruit: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, in a tray he can offer to guests.
- A favourite mithai or bakery cake, from the shop he's been going to for years.
- Attar he likes, or a new one to try.
- Good tea or coffee, if he has his own routine with it.
For his hobbies
Most fathers have one thing they love doing. A gift for that says you know him.
- Books in English or Urdu by an author he likes, or a history of his city.
- Gardening tools, plants or pots, if he spends his mornings in the garden.
- A new prayer mat and tasbeeh set, or a Quran with a beautiful cover and stand.
- Something for cricket: a shirt of his team, or tickets to a match, booked through a sibling.
- A comfortable chair for the veranda, if that's where he reads the paper.
For his health
Many fathers in Pakistan look after everyone except themselves. A gentle push helps.
- A blood pressure monitor or a glucose meter, if he's been told to check, and doesn't.
- Good walking shoes, for the morning walk his doctor keeps recommending.
- A fruit basket instead of mithai, if he's watching his sugar.
Something about family
- A framed photo of the grandchildren, for the wall or his desk.
- A photo book, with a page or note from each child.
- An old family photo, restored and framed.
- A letter from you. Fathers rarely hear what they mean to their children. A page about what you learned from him might be the best gift he ever gets.
Gifts by budget
| Budget | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Under Rs 5,000 | Dates or dry fruit, his favourite mithai, a book |
| Rs 5,000 to 10,000 | A shawl, chappals, attar with a tasbeeh |
| Rs 10,000 to 25,000 | A good watch, a pashmina shawl, a gift set from a brand he likes |
| Rs 25,000 or more | A family gift with your siblings, a weekend away for him and Ammi |
Father's Day in Pakistan
Father's Day is marked on the third Sunday of June. It's less of a tradition in Pakistan than Mother's Day, and many fathers will brush it off, which is all the more reason to mark it. A few things to know:
- June is very hot in most of Pakistan, so skip the chocolate and cream cakes, and choose a morning delivery.
- Order four or five days ahead. It's not as busy as Mother's Day, but bakers and shops still fill up for the weekend.
- For his birthday or Eid, the same ideas work. Eid is often the best time for new clothes, as he'll wear them for Eid prayers.
What to avoid
- Gadgets he won't use. A smartwatch can end up in a drawer if nobody shows him how.
- Anything that makes a fuss. Many fathers are happier with a quiet gift than a big surprise.
- Clothes in the wrong size. Check with a sibling first.
Make it land
Fathers don't always say much, but they notice. Add a short card in your own words, and call him after it arrives. Ask a sibling to be there, and to send you a picture: you may catch the smile he'd never describe over the phone. If you're stuck for words, our gift card messages in English and Urdu have ideas, or keep it simple: "Thank you for everything, Abbu. I don't say it enough."