👋 Hey Reader!
Here’s what I’ve got for you in today’s issue of WFH Dads:
→ 2025 holiday gift guide for WFH dads
- Gifts for WFH dads
- Gifts for kids
- Gifts the family can enjoy together
→ Recommendation of the week - Modern Dadhood podcast
Let's get into it.
2025 holiday gift guide for WFH dads
Happy holidays fellow dads! I thought it'd be fun to put together a holiday gift guide for the WFH dad community.
I've broken it up into 3 categories:
- gifts that you can add to your own wish list (or treat yourself with)
- gifts for your kids
- gifts that the family can enjoy together
There are even a couple recommendations from fellow WFH dads in this community.
Side note: some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to pick anything up. Thanks for supporting the newsletter!
Gifts for WFH dads
The desk gadget that automates half the little things you do every day
Description:
The Stream Deck+ is a customizable control panel with physical buttons and dials you can program to do almost anything—launch apps, mute your mic on Zoom, adjust volume levels, trigger shortcuts, control smart lights, or run multi-step workflows with a single tap. You can tailor it to specific apps too, like video editing, photo editing, audio mixing, or productivity tools.
Why I love it:
I use mine constantly. One button snaps two windows into a perfect left/right split. Another opens my SD card footage and the correct project folder in two Finder windows with one button. I control my office lights with it. And in video editing, I can map complicated sequences—like Shift + Control + Option + D → down arrow → return → return—to one button.
If you want ideas for how to use it, search YouTube for “Stream Deck for [insert what you do or apps you use].” This thing is endlessly customizable, and I’ve been using it for a while now.
Bonus: there’s a Black Friday deal right now.
The office chair that keeps you moving (and actually feels good all day)
Description:
The HÅG Capisco is a uniquely designed ergonomic chair. It's actually the chair Joe Rogan uses on his podcast. It lets you sit in multiple positions throughout the day. You can sit normally, sideways, or even facing the chair with the backrest against your chest. It also raises up higher than a standard chair, so you can use it in a perch/stool position if you like.
Why I love it:
I love how easy it is to switch positions. I’ve sat facing the backrest, sideways, leaning, perched—everything feels supported. It’s comfortable, it looks cool, and on long workdays where I’m not standing, it helps me stay moving instead of sinking into the same posture for hours.
Definitely a splurge, but one I’ve loved.
The all-in-one wireless charger that simplifies your nightstand (and your travel bag)
Description:
If you’re an Apple user, this 3-in-1 charging pad is perfect for you. It wirelessly charges your iPhone (MagSafe), Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. And the best part is that it folds up flat, which makes it perfect for travel, especially if you’re like me and always forget a watch charger or AirPods cable. Just toss it in your bag and you’re covered. (Note: the very first generation of AirPods don’t support wireless charging but any newer ones will work with this.)
Why I love it:
I keep one in my bedroom and one in my travel bag so I never have to think about packing three different chargers. Everything charges cleanly, in one spot, without a nest of cables. It’s one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that makes both home and travel a lot simpler.
Bonus: there’s a Black Friday deal right now.
The lightweight second screen you can take anywhere
Description:
This 15-inch Lenovo ThinkVision is a slim, portable monitor that plugs into your laptop with a single USB-C cable. It’s perfect if you like having a second screen but also need the flexibility to move around the house, switch workspaces, or get some focus time at a coffee shop. It’s about the size of a large iPad, slips easily into a backpack, and gives you full dual-monitor productivity wherever you go.
Why I love it:
This recommendation came from fellow WFH dad & newsletter reader, Andoni. Here's what he said:
“It’s a life saver, and I’d recommend it to any WFH dad. It has the same size and resolution as my Lenovo laptop. You can connect it with a simple USB-C cable, so no extra power cable needed. It gives me the flexibility to easily move to another room (for example, if you need to keep an eye on the kids while working) without losing the productivity you get from a widescreen or a big-dual-screen setup.”
The pocket notebook that makes analog planning simple
Description:
The A6 Stalogy Half Year is a beautifully made Japanese pocket notebook with thoughtful details—light grid paper, smooth pages, and a tiny date section at the top where you can circle the month and day. It’s slim enough to slip into your pocket but sturdy enough to carry around all day. Perfect for jotting tasks, ideas, reflections, or quick notes on the go (and away from the screen).
Why I love it:
This recommendation came from fellow WFH dad and newsletter reader, Jon. Here's what he said:
“A pocket notebook—part of my trying to be a better partner. I’m making a list every morning and then carrying it round for the day, adding to it and checking things off as I go.”
I hadn't heard of Stalogy before but I love physically writing things down—my daily task note cards, ideating in a journal by my desk, and doing a weekly reflection in a notebook, so I'm all about this!
Gifts for the kids
The chapter books that actually kept my 5-year-old’s attention
Description:
The Warrior Kid series by Jocko Willink follows Marc, a kid who feels behind in school, gets picked on, and can’t do a single pull-up, at least until his Navy SEAL Uncle Jake steps in. Through the summer, Marc learns discipline, confidence, healthy habits, and how to tackle hard things. It’s like the anti–Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Why I love it:
Most chapter books lose my daughter almost immediately, but she loves these. We’ve even reread a couple. It sparked great conversations about discipline, courage, and sticking with hard things.
The screen-free storytelling device kids actually use
Description:
The Yoto Mini is a kid-friendly audiobook player that uses small, collectible cards to play stories, music, and kid-focused radio stations. It’s simple enough for young kids to control on their own, and you can even load your own audio onto a blank card—grandparent recordings, Bible stories, language lessons, whatever you want. A great screen-free alternative for quiet time, car rides, or winding down at night.
Why I love it:
Audrey really enjoys hers—sometimes on road trips, sometimes in her room while flipping through the picture-book version of whatever story she’s hearing.
Side note:
Get the official Yoto headphones. The device already limits volume for safety, and most kid headphones limit it even more…to the point where you can barely hear anything. The Yoto ones work perfectly.
Bonus: there’s a Black Friday deal right now.
The indoor fort-building set that turns your house into an adventure zone
Description:
The Nugget (and its circular cousin, the Chunk) are soft, modular play-couch pieces—rectangles, wedges, and arches—that kids can rearrange into forts, obstacle courses, reading nooks, slides…pretty much anything their imagination comes up with. The Chunk folds into a neat ottoman when not in use, while the Nugget is more of a permanent playroom fixture. They’re soft, sturdy, and built for climbing, stacking, tumbling, and pretending.
Why I love it:
Audrey has built dozens of forts with these. On days she’s home sick, she’ll ask to get the Nugget out and loves creating her own little world.
Side note:
These are best once all your kids are 3+. When Thomas was still a wobbly toddler, the climbing and tumbling setups just created too many opportunities for falls. Now that he’s three, we’re excited to bring them back out.
The science-and-engineering kit that makes kids feel like mini inventors
Description:
CrunchLabs is a monthly subscription box created by YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober. Each month your child gets a new hands-on engineering build—think mechanical toys, physics experiments, and clever problem-solving challenges.
Every box comes with a companion video from Mark where he breaks down the science, the engineering principles, and the why behind the experiment. The whole goal: teach kids to think like engineers—try, fail, adjust, and try again.
Why I love it:
We don’t have this yet, but I’m seriously considering it for Audrey’s sixth birthday since it’s rated 6+. She loves science activities, and I love that this kit is created by someone who actually knows what he’s doing. If you’ve ever seen Mark Rober’s squirrel-maze video, you know he makes learning feel like a fun exploration.
The little Polaroid-style camera that brings back the joy of instant photos
Description:
The Instax Mini is a kid-friendly instant camera that prints small Polaroid-style photos in seconds. It’s simple and perfect for young photographers who want something more tactile than an iPad or digital camera.
Why I love it:
I haven't gotten this for Audrey yet but she loves taking pictures. She even saved up and bought my old DSLR from me. But with digital cameras, she’d often snap hundreds of random photos of walls, toys, anything. I like that this camera will force her to stop and think: “What do I want to capture?” Plus, the instant physical photos are just fun.
Gifts the whole family can enjoy
The screen-time option that actually gets your whole family moving
Description:
The NEX Playground is a motion-based video game system—think Nintendo Wii but way more advanced. No controllers to hold, no wrist straps, nothing to charge. The camera tracks your movement with surprising accuracy, so every game is full-body: jumping, dancing, balancing, dodging, and moving around the room.
Why I love it:
My dad asked what to get the kids for Christmas this year (because they really don’t need more toys), and this is what I sent him. I like video games but don't play too often and I never really play with the kids, but I look forward to doing this with them. It’s active, silly, and something we can all do together.
Bonus: there’s a Black Friday deal right now.
A classic, oversized game
Description:
A well-made wooden chess set is one of those gifts that feels classic the moment you open it. The board folds in half for easy storage, and all the pieces tuck neatly inside—simple, sturdy, and built to last. Great for slow weekend mornings, family game nights, or teaching kids the basics of strategy and patience.
Why I love it:
I’d wanted a real wooden set for a long time and finally got this one a few years ago. When Audrey started learning to play around age 4, we’d set up just a few pieces at a time and practice how they move—trying to “catch” each other with only knights, or pawns, or rooks. Watching her slowly understand the game has been really fun.
A creative project that lets you share your interests with your kids
Description:
LEGO has a set for almost every interest—Harry Potter, Star Wars, Pokémon, Formula 1, Disney…you name it. The great thing is that these sets come in all difficulty levels, from simple builds for younger kids to incredibly advanced kits older kids (or adults) can sink into.
Why I love it:
This has become a special thing between my wife and Audrey. My wife loves Harry Potter, so they’ve gotten a couple of smaller Harry Potter builds and work through them slowly over a few weeks. Themed sets let you invite your kids into your world while doing something hands-on together.
The physical device that finally helps you stay off your phone
Description:
The Brick is a small physical device that instantly locks down your phone when you tap your phone to it. You choose which apps or websites get blocked, and once your phone is “bricked,” the only way to unlock those apps is to physically tap your phone to the Brick again. It adds real friction and keeps your phone from becoming an automatic distraction—whether you’re working or just trying to be more present with the family.
There’s no subscription and one Brick works for multiple people.
Why I love it:
As someone whose job is social media, I have all the apps. I’ve tried the built-in Screen Time limits, but they’re way too easy to override. The Brick has been the only thing that helps besides deleting the apps since I actually have to get up, walk to the kitchen (where mine lives), and physically “unbrick” the phone to access anything I’ve blocked. That friction is enough to keep me off my phone most of the time.
There’s even a strict mode that prevents you from deleting the app to bypass it (I haven’t turned that on yet, but it’s there if you need it).
Bonus: there’s a Black Friday deal right now.
A scratch-off book for fun & simple things to do as a family
Description:
The Adventure Challenge Family Edition is a book full of scratch-off activities you do as a family. Each challenge reveals a surprise adventure—something fun, simple, and different from your usual routines. There’s space next to each activity to add a photo (great use of the Instax Mini mentioned above), which makes the whole book feel like a family scrapbook you build over time.
Most activities seem best for ages 6+, and any required supplies are usually inexpensive or things you already have around the house.
Why I love it:
My wife loves these scratch-off style lists—top 100 books, places to travel, all that—so this feels right up our alley. I plan on getting it for our family, even if we wait until my youngest is a little older to fully participate. Seems like an easy, low-friction way to add more fun, spontaneous activities to our weekends. You can see one dad's review of it here.
Recommendation of the week
I was recently a guest on the Modern Dadhood podcast. Got to chat with the hosts Adam and Marc all about the challenges of being a WFH dad as well as the strategies and systems I've used to help balance it all when work and home can blend so easily.
It's a great discussion on happiness, health, and fatherhood as a WFH dad.
Let me know if you end up picking anything up from this list or if you've got any questions about the items!
Also happy to hear if there's anything you think should have made the list. I'll be sharing more of these ideas on my LinkedIn and Threads accounts in the coming weeks so be sure to follow me there.
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Thom Gibson
Founder of WFH Dads
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PS:
I’m planning to open up a few one-on-one coaching spots soon — specifically for ambitious WFH dads who want to stop working nights and weekends without sacrificing their career.
If that sounds like something you’d want to hear more about, join the waitlist and I’ll keep you posted.
👉 Join the waitlist here
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