Gifts for Uncle, From the Nieces and Nephews Who Adore Him
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 16 hand-picked ideas
Uncles occupy a useful spot in a family. They're close enough to be trusted and far enough from the rules to be fun: the one who taught you to cast a line, slipped you a soda before dinner, or told you the version of your parents' teenage years they'd rather you never heard. Being an uncle is mostly voluntary, and the good ones show up anyway.
Most uncle gifts come from one of two places: young kids whose parent is doing the real shopping, and grown nieces and nephews who have finally worked out how much he did for them. This guide covers both, then adds games for the uncle who livens up family gatherings, an honest word on whether you need to buy him anything at all, and quick picks sorted by his interests.
If he's your own brother, our gifts for brother guide may suit better. For the rest of the family, see gifts for aunt and gifts for father-in-law.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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From the nieces and nephews (with a parent's help)
If you're reading this, there's a decent chance you're the parent, buying on your kids' behalf for your brother or your partner's brother. Give the kids a short list to choose from and have them sign the card themselves.
Uncles care far more about that wobbly signature than about what's in the box.
- 1~$16
Best Uncle Ever Coffee Mug
A big mug with a Best Uncle print. Corny, cheap and exactly what a six-year-old would choose. It will end up on his desk at work.
Coffee Loversfun - 2~$15
Toilet Golf Putting Game
A tiny putting green that hangs in the bathroom. The kids will think it's hilarious, and so, secretly, will any uncle who plays golf.
Golfersfun - 3~$15
Magnetic Travel Chess Set
A folding magnetic set for the uncle who's been teaching the kids chess on visits. Small enough to live in his car until the next rematch.
Chess PlayersTravelerspractical - 4~$20
Team-Themed Sports Trivia Card Deck
A sports trivia deck for the uncle who knows every record and loves being quizzed. A handy way to get a sports-mad nephew talking to him.
Sports FansBoard Game Fansfun
For the uncle who taught you something
Grown nieces and nephews often realize, somewhere in their twenties, how much an uncle quietly handed them: a first fishing trip, a shelf of records, a talk at a moment when parents were the last people you wanted to hear from.
These gifts say thank you by pointing at the specific thing he passed on.
- Our favorite5
What I Love About You Fill-in Book
~$12
Our favorite for a grown niece or nephew, because it costs about $12 and takes an evening of real thought. One memory or reason per page: the summer he taught you to drive stick, the advice he gave before your first job, the way he always asked about your band. Most uncles won't say much when they read it, and plenty will keep it in a drawer for decades. Be specific; general compliments don't land the same way.
- 6
Custom Music Playlist QR Plaque
~$33
An engraved plaque with a scannable link to a playlist, for the uncle who introduced you to half the music you love. Fill it with the songs he played in the car, then add a few of yours he'd like. He'll need a smartphone to scan it, so make sure he's comfortable with that.
- 7
Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit
~$25
A carbon-fiber brush, cleaning fluid and cloth for the uncle whose record collection shaped your taste. It's a small, respectful gift that shows you know the collection matters to him. If you can find out what he's missing, add a secondhand record to fill a gap on his shelf.
- 8
Fishing Knot Tying Practice Board
~$20
A practice board with cord and illustrated steps for common fishing knots, for the uncle who first took you fishing. It's a nice joke about all the knots he tied for you as a kid, and genuinely handy if he's still on the water most weekends. Add a note proposing a trip together this season.
The uncle who livens up family gatherings
Every family has one: the uncle who gets the kids outside, starts the card game and is still at the table long after the dishes are done. Gifts for him are really gifts for everyone, which he'll like.
Pick something that works across ages, from the eight-year-old cousin to grandma.
- 9
Backyard Cornhole Set
~$80
Two regulation-style boards and eight bags, for the uncle who hosts the summer cookout or always brings something to do. Cornhole is easy enough for kids and competitive enough for adults, so it tends to become the afternoon's main event. The boards are bulky, so check he has somewhere to store them.
- 10
Escape Room in a Box Game
~$30
A tabletop escape room with puzzles, codes and locks, played around the dining table. Ideal for the uncle who loves a challenge and getting everyone working together, and it wins over teenagers who claim board games are beneath them. Most boxes can only be solved once, so treat it as one great evening rather than a permanent fixture.
- 12
Insulated Stainless Steel Beer Growler
~$35
A vacuum-insulated growler for carrying draft beer to a picnic or game night, for the uncle who always turns up with something from the local brewery to share. Skip it if he doesn't drink, or if your family gatherings are dry ones.
Do you even need to buy your uncle a gift?
Honestly, often not. In plenty of families, uncles get a card at Christmas and a call on their birthday, and that's the tradition everyone is comfortable with. A sudden expensive present can make him feel he has to match it next year. Follow your family's norm, and if you want to do more, a handwritten note is rarely the wrong move.
There are moments when a gift is clearly right, though: a milestone birthday, a retirement, a thank-you after he helped you move or lent you money, or if he's your godfather or stood in for a parent at your wedding. Uncles by marriage and great-uncles fall under the same rule. Match what the rest of the family does, and keep it modest unless the two of you are closer than most.
Quick picks by what he's into
If you know his main interest and just need something solid that ships easily, start here.
13.Sports Stadium Seat Cushion with Back Support ~$45
For the uncle with season tickets, or a spot on the bleachers at every nephew's game. The backrest makes the third hour bearable.
14.Portable Camping Stove ~$50
A compact stove that boils water in minutes, for the uncle who camps, or keeps promising to take the nephews camping.
15.Home Beer Tasting Glass Set ~$30
A flight of differently shaped tasting glasses for the uncle who knows every brewery within fifty miles and likes to compare notes.
16.Team Logo Throw Blanket ~$40
An officially licensed fleece throw with his team's logo, for the uncle who watches every game from the same armchair.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
$50–$100
A few notes on uncles
Point at something specific. The more directly a gift refers to what he actually did with you, the more it will mean to him.
If you're buying for young kids to give, let them pick from two or three options and have them sign or draw on the card.
Keep it in proportion. A present much bigger than what he usually gives you can leave him feeling awkward rather than appreciated.
For an uncle you rarely see, choose something easy to ship that he'll use or enjoy, and skip clothes and home décor.
Not sure what he's into? Describe him to our gift finder, including how old you are and what you did together growing up, and you'll get a shortlist.
Uncle gift FAQ
What's a good gift for an uncle who has everything?
Something personal rather than practical: a fill-in book of memories, a playlist plaque of songs he introduced you to, or a plan to do something together, like a fishing trip or a ballgame. When an uncle owns every gadget he wants, a reminder of what he means to you is the one thing he can't buy; for more along those lines, browse gifts for someone who has everything.
What should I get my uncle for a milestone birthday or retirement?
This is the moment to go a little bigger or more personal than usual. Team up with cousins on a shared gift, write him a proper letter, or plan a day together around what he loves, whether that's a ballgame, a day on the lake or a brewery tour.
What can a kid give their uncle?
Something cheap and a little silly that the child picks out: a Best Uncle mug, a bathroom golf game, a travel chess set or a sports trivia deck. A card the kid signs or draws on matters as much as the gift.
How much should I spend on a gift for my uncle?
Usually less than you'd spend on a parent. Somewhere between $15 and $50 covers most uncle gifts, and for a milestone or a real thank-you you might go higher. A thoughtful note costs nothing and often means the most.