5 Thoughtful Gifts For Dad This Father’s Day
My dad is the hardest person in the world to buy a gift for. Anything I can buy for him he can usually buy for himself. It’s hard to find something interesting for my dad that will truly light up his face; a new shirt or hat doesn’t really cut it. The tool kits and the screwdrivers that everyone thinks a man loves is really just a way of giving your dad more work to do.
On the other hand, I feel like my dad always finds the perfect gift for me. When I was little, I dreamed of having a tire swing. On my 13th birthday, I woke up to find out he had constructed his own version of a tire swing with a huge rope in one of our trees. I want to do something this special for my dad. We all want to find the perfect present for our dads who have given us so much. The bad news is I still don’t have the perfect gift. The good news is I don’t think there is one. So for this father’s day, here are 5 gift ideas that are better than wandering around stores looking for something you know he won’t love:
1. Thank you card:
I know this option seems really simple, but a handwritten note is rare in the age of technology. Sometimes we think our dads know how much we love and appreciate them, and so we forget to tell them. Now is the perfect opportunity to let them know that every time they’ve bailed you out of something, or encouraged you through something and you never said thank you, that you actually were and are thankful.
2. Photo Collage:
Create a photo collage or even just pick one photo of you and your dad having a great time together. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and your dad will appreciate the the photo more than a pair of shoes or something with less meaning. The sentimentality of a memory can’t be beat.
3. Coupon Book:
When I was little, I used to make my dad coupon books because I didn’t have any money to buy him a gift. The coupons were kind of funny, for example “One week of chores without you having to ask”. I think the coupon book is a good idea to bring back, but maybe this time with a couple of better coupons. You can customize them for your dad with activities he likes to do. For my dad I might write something like, “One coupon to go fishing together” with a little fish drawn on the front!
4. Cook his favorite dinner:
Spend some time making your dad a delicious meal for Father’s Day. Even if the dinner is lacking, or maybe gets burnt to a crisp in the oven, the effort is what counts. Don’t forget the best part of the meal, dessert!
5. Return the favor, teach him something:
My dad has taught me so much in life. Sometimes I forget that he doesn’t know everything. This Father’s day, offer to return the favor and teach him something new. For example, my dad and technology do not go very well together. Maybe this Father’s Day I could offer him some tips on how to utilize his iPhone a little bit better.
Father’s Day is really just a reminder for us to tell our dads that we love them even though we should be doing this every day of the year. Do something special this year for you dad. It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, the gift just needs some thought and effort.