Gifts for builders, dads and the people who fix everything
Stocking stuffers, gadgets and tool kits for the person who'd rather get something useful than another tie. Every button opens the exact product on Amazon, so you can see photos and reviews before you buy. These are gift ideas, not full reviews. Picks marked with a yellow tag fit the DeWalt 20V tools our crew runs every day.
Stocking stuffers
Small, cheap and actually useful. Every builder goes through these.
Folding utility knife
Opens one-handed and folds flat in a pocket. Builders lose utility knives constantly, so a spare is never wasted.
What to look for: A red-and-black folding knife, about the size of a phone, with a belt clip.
See it on AmazonLong-life construction marker
Marks on wet lumber, concrete and metal, and the lead refills. Better than a pocket full of broken carpenter pencils.
What to look for: A chunky black-and-yellow marker pencil with a pocket clip and a holster tip.
See it on AmazonSpeed square
The square every framer reaches for. If his old one is bent or worn smooth, a new one gets used the next day.
What to look for: A flat blue aluminum triangle, 7 inches on a side, with a little blue instruction book.
See it on AmazonImpact-rated bit set
Driver bits wear out and snap. A fresh impact-rated set in a case is the most practical stocking stuffer there is.
What to look for: A small yellow-and-black DeWalt case full of screwdriver bits.
See it on AmazonMagnetic wristband
Holds screws, nails and bits on your wrist up a ladder. Cheap, and it's one of those gadgets people end up using all the time.
What to look for: A black fabric band with Velcro that wraps around the wrist, with magnets sewn in.
See it on AmazonGear ties
Reusable rubber twist ties for extension cords, air hoses and anything rattling around the truck.
What to look for: Thick, bendable rubber twist ties, like big bread-bag ties.
See it on Amazon25 ft tape measure
Tapes get dropped, run over and stepped on. A good 25 footer is a gift that gets used every single day.
What to look for: A yellow-and-black tape measure with a wide blade and a belt clip.
See it on AmazonWork gloves
Padded work gloves that still let you pick up a screw. Get a size up if you're not sure.
What to look for: Black work gloves with rubber padding on the back of the hand. Pick his size on the Amazon page.
See it on AmazonGadgets they'll actually use
Mid-size gifts that solve real job site annoyances.
Rechargeable headlamp
Hands-free light for basements, crawlspaces and attics. USB charging means no hunting for batteries.
What to look for: A light on an elastic headband that charges with a USB cord.
See it on AmazonLaser distance measure
Measures a room in seconds, with no one holding the dumb end of the tape. Great for bids and estimates.
What to look for: A small handheld blue Bosch device with a screen that shoots a red dot at the wall.
See it on AmazonMagnetic LED work light
Sticks to a steel beam, a ductwork run or the truck and lights up the work area.
What to look for: A flat, rechargeable work light with a magnet and a hook so it hangs or sticks anywhere.
See it on AmazonCordless tire inflator
Runs on a 20V battery and tops off truck tires, trailer tires and that wheelbarrow tire that's always flat.
What to look for: A yellow DeWalt box with a hose. It needs his DeWalt battery, which isn't included.
See it on AmazonJobsite Bluetooth speaker
Music on the job without a phone speaker. Many run on the same tool batteries.
What to look for: A rugged yellow-and-black DeWalt speaker with a handle. Battery not included.
See it on AmazonMulti-tool
Pliers, blades, drivers and a file on the belt. The tool that gets used for the hundred small jobs in between.
What to look for: A stainless steel folding multi-tool, about the size of a pocket knife, with pliers inside.
See it on AmazonTools and kits
Bigger gifts for the builder who's earned it.
20V MAX combo kit
A drill and impact driver with batteries and a charger. The best starting point for someone building out a tool set.
What to look for: A yellow DeWalt drill and impact driver with two batteries and a charger in a bag.
See it on AmazonExtra batteries
Nobody ever has enough batteries. If he already runs DeWalt, a two-pack of bigger batteries is the gift he won't buy himself.
What to look for: Two yellow-and-black DeWalt battery packs. Only buy these if his drills are DeWalt.
See it on AmazonModular toolbox system
Stackable, locking boxes that click together and roll. Keeps the truck organized.
What to look for: Stackable yellow-and-black DeWalt boxes on wheels with a pull handle.
See it on AmazonGreen cross line laser level
Level and plumb lines for cabinets, tile, drop ceilings and basement framing. Green beams are easier to see indoors than red.
What to look for: A small yellow DeWalt box that projects green crosshair lines on the wall.
See it on AmazonFraming hammer
A one-piece steel framing hammer that lasts decades. Even nail-gun crews keep one on the belt.
What to look for: A long, one-piece steel hammer with a blue rubber grip.
See it on AmazonSDS-Plus bit set
If he has a rotary hammer, a full set of SDS-Plus bits and a chisel or two always gets used.
What to look for: A case of masonry drill bits with a special grooved end. Only useful if he has a rotary hammer.
See it on AmazonFor cold job sites
Michigan winters are hard on hands, coffee and batteries.
Heated work jacket
Battery-heated jackets run off the same 20V packs as the tools. A real game changer for winter framing and roofing.
What to look for: A heated hoodie with a DeWalt battery pocket. Pick his size. Battery not included.
See it on AmazonInsulated tumbler
Keeps coffee hot through the morning on a cold site, and survives being dropped off a tailgate.
What to look for: An insulated steel cup with a lid, about the size of a large coffee.
See it on AmazonClassic thermos
The thermos that's been riding in work trucks for decades. Big enough to share.
What to look for: The classic green Stanley thermos with a cup lid and a handle.
See it on AmazonKnit beanie
Fits under a hard hat or a hood. Cheap enough to buy two.
What to look for: A knit winter hat with the small Carhartt patch on the front. Lots of colors.
See it on AmazonNot sure which battery he uses?
Check the color of his drill before you buy anything cordless. Yellow and black is usually DeWalt, red is usually Milwaukee, teal is Makita, and green is Ryobi. Batteries don't swap between brands, so a tool on the wrong platform is a tool he can't use. When in doubt, go with a stocking stuffer or a gift card. Read why the battery matters.