From teaching you how to ride a bike to listening to all of your woes with an open mind, your dad has always made your life seem amazing. Thus, Father’s Day can be very stressful if you can’t find or afford the perfect gift for your own personal superhero. There are many ways to avoid the expensive presents that you might feel pushed into purchasing for your dad though. In fact, there’s a number of things dad might prefer to that pricey new tie or tool set. Instead of worrying about the budget you have to honor your dad, you can instead bask in the appreciation and smiles that dad will give you thanks to your unique gift. These ten tips should strike the chords of most father’s hearts and will leave you on dad’s favorite kid list for at least a few months. So, say thanks this Father’s Day without feeling overburdened by the commercial aspect of the holiday.
1. Fishing
Back in the good ole days you and dad used to love sharing a fishing trip. Dad loved listening to your stories and teaching you all of the tricks of the trade. This amazing bonding time might not happen as often now that you’re older though. So, why not take a trip down memory lane and let dad coach you through a few casting tips again. The best thing about going on a fishing trip with dad is it tends to be incredibly inexpensive. In fact, unless you have to buy a fishing license you can probably enjoy a trip at no cost if you live near a fishing hole or ocean. You may end up spending a little bit on gas, drinks and snacks but apart from that you’ll be well on your way to giving your father one of the best gifts around. That is, time with you. If you want to make this trip even more exciting try to get the rest of the family in on the trip. If you have kids of your own then make sure grandpa has a chance to teach them all of the exciting tricks he enjoyed sharing with you.
2. Golfing
If your dad is a golfing fanatic then get him the gift he will love above all. That is, take him out for a few rounds on his big day. Of course, if you want to save a little money you may want to take dad out on a weekday so the price of the round won’t be as much. However, even if you do choose to hit the golf course on Father’s Day you shouldn’t end up spending a whole lot of money. If you are a member of a country club then the price of this gift might be free, which will help you and dad enjoy the day even more. Your dad will love teaching you some golfing techniques while catching up with you about life in general. If you’re still alright with your budget then you may want to consider grabbing some lunch off a couple of rounds at the golf course.
3. Honey Do List
We all know about the magical Honey Do List that dad mulls over every time he has a little free time. Generally, the items on the list aren’t a whole lot of fun to accomplish, so why not provide dad a little break from some of these chores for his big Father’s Day gift. You can easily acquire the list from mom, so ask a week or two ahead of time and see which chores you can get finished. When you have a little free time try to get through some of the chores without dad realizing it. This might take a little extra effort, but it will be worth it when you present him with his Honey Do List with many of the chores crossed off. You may also want to concentrate on some of the chores that you know your dad really hates doing. Of course, if you don’t have a lot of spare time before Father’s Day you could offer dad coupons that offer your help whenever he needs to get a project completed. This will give you bonding and cut your dad’s workload in half.
4. Car Wash/Detailing
Every guy loves a clean car, so why not give your dad’s car a makeover this holiday. Get mom to sneak you dad’s keys early one morning and get to work. You can get cleaning supplies for fairy cheap at any discount or dollar store, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much in this regard. Once you’ve got everything cleaned up then you may want to add a wax coating to make dad feel extra special when he goes out next. When the exterior of the car is shiny and new then take to the interior. Place all the stray papers and trash you’re unsure of in a separate bag so dad can sort through and make sure its actually trash later. Food or bottle containers are usually safe to get rid of though, so make sure you get them all out. Wipe down the dash and if you can vacuum out the seats to leave everything feeling fresh. To finish things off you may want to grab an air freshener with dad’s favorite scent so the car will smell as good as it looks! You’ll love seeing dad’s surprised face when you return his keys.
5. Magazine Subscription
Sometimes it might be hard to pick something out for dad. This can be one of the best times to consider a magazine subscription. There’s a lot of subscriptions to choose from and many will even give you an entire year’s worth of magazine for just under $15. This can be the perfect gift for dad’s who love to read or have a lot of spare time on their hands. The best thing about magazines is you can totally customize your gift to fit your father’s interests. There is a magazine out there that will suit just about any hobbyist. From birdwatching to fishing your dad can be reading up on the latest news from his favorite pass time in no time. There are also magazine based on your father’s career path such as those for mechanics or carpenters. There’s also magazines based around health which could be a particular interest of your father. With a gift this convenient there’s no doubt your father will be ecstatic about your gift. You may even consider getting dad digital copies to save even more money and paper!
6. Favorite Meal
It has been said time and time again that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This is pretty much true when it comes to dad too, so why not surprise him with his favorite meal for Father’s Day. If you’re not sure what to make him try to hint around about foods that dad might be particularly craving. You might also talk to mom about meals your dad has been asking for lately. Once you decide on what you’re going to good try checking out farmer’s markets or discount stores for the ingredients. This will help you cut down on the amount you spend on the meal. Try preparing the meal at your dad’s house before he gets home from work so he will be able to smell his favorite meal as he walks in the door. To be kind to mom make sure you pick up dishes duty too! If dad’s favorite treat happens to be from a restaurant then call around and ask for Father’s Day deals or any specials the restaurant may have in order to save more money on dad’s special treat.
7. Homemade Card
Sometimes dad is just happy to know you love and appreciate him which is where a homemade card comes in handy. Although there’s usually a great selection of affordable cards at the store, making your own helps save more money while adding that extra special touch that dad loves. You should be able to get pretty crafty with items found in your home like printer paper, scrapbooking paper and other supplies that might be found in your crafting area. Dad will especially love if you transform the card into something that shows the memories the two of you share together. When you’ve finished building the card add that extra special message that will make dad feel like a million bucks when he reads it. This is an easy craft for the whole family to take part in, so make sure you get everyone in on the crafting fun.
8. Special Mug
If nothing interrupts dad from his coffee time then you may want to consider giving him his own special mug this holiday. Pick a family photo of image of something your dad loves to chat about and get it places on a mug at your local department stores photo department. This generally cost very little and will ensure no one will take dad’s mug when its time for coffee. You could also buy a blank mug in dad’s favorite color and paint a special message on it, such as #1 Dad. Of course, if you really want to get crafty you may want to consider building your dad a mug in a pottery store. This will allow the entire mug to be your very own creation which will make dad extra happy. If you’re not feeling creative then browse sales and find dad a mug that will certainly spell out his love for coffee.
9. T-Shirt
What dad doesn’t love to relax at home in a comfortable t-shirt? T-Shirts make a great gift for dad’s of all ages and will allow you to show off some of your crafting skills. You can cheaply by blank t-shirts at any craft or department store, so make sure to shop around in order to find the best price. Once you’ve designed on a t-shirt then grab your fabric paint and get to work. You may even consider using a stencil to make dad’s shirt. This can easily be created with a little cardboard and crafting tool. When you’ve planned out the shirt then lay on the paint and wait to dry. Dad will be excited to have his very own dedicated shirt and will love how much work you put into it. You should also be able to find inexpensive pre-made dad shirts at your local department or clothing store, but make sure to wait for sales in order to get the best price.
10. Gift Basket
The gift basket is certainly a gift that requires a little thought but creates a whole lot of happiness. If you’re looking to make dad a gift basket then make a list of his favorite snack foods and beverages. Try shopping around before you make the purchases or look for coupons to help bring down the price. If you really want to save money then try baking some of dad’s favorite treats and wrap them in colorful plastic wrap to make the basket look all the more exciting. You can also throw in small items like a golf balls, fishing lures or other items that might make dad happy. You might also want to consider using a bucket or other item that dad might find useful around the house, rather than a basket that could go to waste. Dad will be happy for weeks thanks to your gift basket!
Father’s Day only comes around once a year, so make sure you let your dad know how important he is. With these ten gift ideas you can maintain your frugal budget while still providing dad with a gift filled with riches! You’ll certainly feel great about your gift choice when you see the smile on your dad’s face.
