Last month, Allison wrote a blog with some frugal Mother’s Day gift ideas. With Father’s Day two days away, I wanted to follow up with some frugal Father’s Day gift ideas.
There are so many gift options available for dads and it is hard to sort through them all to find a gift that combines awesomeness with frugality. Personally, I think gifts given from the heart that will genuinely mean something to your dad are the way to go.
Here are my top 7 picks for the best inexpensive and meaningful Father’s Day gifts.
Picture and Frame
Yes, this one may be a little cheesy, but find a good recent picture of you and your dad, buy a frame, and give it to him for Father’s Day. While it may seem like pictures might be more of a “mom gift,” I’d be willing to bet your dad will put the picture on his desk at work or at home. (Chances are he already has a few of the two of you together sitting on his desk).
“Dad Date”
Did your dad always take you to a certain ice cream parlor when you were growing up? Or did he take you to a specific arcade to play skee ball when you were little? Show your dad you remember the good old days by treating him to a “dad date” where you take him back to a spot you two used to frequent when you were younger.
A Homemade Meal
What is your dad’s favorite food? Make it for him! He spent years making money so you would have food in your stomach (in addition to possibly cooking for you), so make him his favorite breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Make a Playlist for his Ipod
My dad and I have very different taste in music. While he always tries to show an interest in what I listen to (American Top 40), I know he loves Fleetwood Mac and Kenny Loggins. Chances are your dad doesn’t listen to the same music as you, but I can guarantee you it would blow him away if you took the time to make a playlist on his Ipod of his favorite songs. He has spent your whole life showing an interest in you and what you like, give him a gift that shows you have been paying attention to him and what he likes.
Make Him a DVD
If your dad is anything like my dad, you are used to seeing him with a video camera in his face. This means he has hours upon hours of unedited family videos sitting around somewhere. Find his stash of family videos and edit them together to make a video of some of your favorite childhood memories. Your dad took those videos for a reason and will love being able to watch them once they are edited into an awesome DVD. Not sure how to edit the videos? Find a friend who is familiar with video editing to help you.
Coupon Book
Allison touched on this in her Mother’s Day blog and I touched on it in my Valentine’s Day blog, so I have to reiterate it here. This gift is so personal and really costs nothing to give. So take some time and come up with a thoughtful coupon book for your dad. You could include things like “Good for 1 Car Wash” or “Good for 1 Practice Session at the Golf Course.” Any dad will love a coupon book filled with coupons he will use and enjoy.
Time
Allison wrote about this idea in her Mother’s Day blog and I absolutely love it. My dad once told me about the saying, “love is spelled t-i-m-e.” I think this saying is so amazing and incredibly true. The best gift you can give anyone is time because it is so valuable and demonstrates how much you love them.
Pair any of these ideas with an awesome card thanking your dad for everything he has done for you and you are all set!
To my phenomenal, selfless dad and all the other dads out there: Happy Father’s Day!
Have any frugal Father’s Day gift ideas not listed above? Share them in the comments section!
