Men are hard to shop for, especially for Father’s Day and especially if you are on a budget. There are so many go-to gifts for Mother’s Day such as flowers, but few for dads. Every year, my siblings and I ask my mother for gift suggestions and inevitably every year my father ends up with six pairs of slippers or six copies of the same DVD.
Follow ACCC’s advice for a budget-friendly Father’s Day.
For those who want to give their dad something different this year without breaking the bank or going over budget, here are some ideas:
Join him in one of his hobbies. Is your dad a runner? A fisherman? An antique hunter? Whatever he may be into, join him in his hobby on Father’s Day. This will mean a lot to him, especially if you don’t normally participate. Depending on the hobby, this could also be a very affordable option.
Do a big chore around the house. When my dad is not at work, he spends most of his time around the house doing work whether its yard work, cleaning out the garage, or working on a home maintenance project. If your dad has a big chore he’s been meaning to do or a project he’s been working on, help him out. Whether you join your dad in doing the work or finish the project while he relaxes, he will appreciate your hard work and time.
Get the family together for a cookout. For Mother’s Day we suggested a brunch with the family, but for your dad consider getting everyone together for an afternoon of grilling and fun. Check out this post for some ideas on how to host a barbeque on a budget.
Give his car the VIP treatment with a wash and detailing. Is your dad a car guy? If so, take a few hours and clean your dad’s car inside and out – interior and exterior. Vacuum, wax, and scrub his car until it looks brand new. He’ll appreciate the effort you put into cleaning his car and you won’t spend more than the cost of cleaning supplies (which you may find around the house).
Update his phone with new apps tailored to his interests. Is your dad a techie? Or maybe he just got a smartphone and doesn’t know much about it. Either way, you can pay for apps that he may like or that may make his life easier. Another alternative is to buy him an iTunes or Google Play gift card and make him a thought-out list of apps he may enjoy.
Give the gift that keeps on giving – monthly subscription boxes. These days there are monthly clubs/subscriptions for people with all sorts of interests. Ones to consider for Father’s Day are Dollar Shave Club, Tandem Lane’s “Dad Box”, Beer of the Month Club, and more. These subscription boxes can be quite pricey, so this is a gift that is best split among a few people.
Last but not least, don’t forget a card!
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