TOP 10 Cheap Father’s Day Gifts!
For putting together telescopes in the dark, Dad deserves a good Father's Day present.
Father’s Day is Sunday and at this point in the week, I have no big plan other than maybe a cookout. Not good!
I asked my husband to write for us his list of Top 10 Cheap Father’s Day Gifts to help you and me figure out a great present to show Dad we really love and appreciate him! (And by the way the plaster of Paris cast of the kids’ hands – he doesn’t want that.)
So without further ado, here are Michael’s Top 10 Cheap Father’s Day Gift ideas, written by Michael:
1) BREAKFAST OF GLUTTONS: I’m usually a healthy eater, but on special occasions, I, like most dads, enjoy pigging out on good food. Most working dads don’t have time for a big breakfast. But on Father’s Day it would be great to sleep in (go to church late or even on Saturday, if necessary) and gorge on eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles and all the other great foods we usually avoid. Put the whole family to work and make more than he could possibly finish, then stand back and watch the big dog eat.
For getting wrestled to the ground by a diapered toddler, he deserves better than a card.
2) FULL-CONTACT FUN: Most men love competition, but weekends are often filled with watching our children play the games we love. Set something up with friends, relatives or neighbors to let a team of dads play a team of kids or moms or other dads. Touch-football, wiffleball, driveway hoops, anything to get the blood pumping and let dads relive the glory days.
3) FREE LABOR: Most dads, even those whose lives are disorganized, crave more organization. Find a project he wants done, and offer free labor from you and the kids and anyone else who will volunteer. Let him be the supervisor. No one questions his authority or plan, you’re just there to carry out his wishes. You’ll end up with a clean garage or basement and dad will feel like the big boss.
4) PIMP HIS RIDE: Atlanta dads spend a lot of time in their cars, and no matter what they drive, it feels better clean. With water restrictions gone, you can actually clean the car at home, or run it to a professional. Make sure to clean out the inside, vacuum the floor and use some glass cleaner.
5) SPUR OF THE MOMENT TRIP: I don’t think I’m the only dad whose life lacks spontaneity. Every time I leave the house with the family it needs to be planned in advance, with a generous supply of pull-ups, wipes, snacks, drinks and hand sanitizer. Whatever happened to just piling into the car and hitting the road? Try a quick drive north to hike in the mountains, meet friends at the lake or grab the inner-tubes and head to the river. The key is not to over plan it. That ruins much of the fun.
Because our kids are very, very loud, Dad deserves a good present.
6) GADGETS AND GEAR: Let’s face it, most men love new technology. Even if you don’t know what he wants, even if he says he doesn’t want anything, give him a gift certificate at an electronics store and he’ll find something he likes. Even if your gift doesn’t pay for the whole thing, at least you gave him an excuse to go marvel at the latest cool stuff.
7) DAD HAS HEROES TOO: If you don’t know who he looks up to or admire, find out. Get him something about that hero. A book or movie, an autograph or framed picture.
8) THINK BEYOND THE FRAME: Photo gifts can be so much more inventive with new technology. Use one of the big photo sites to create a photo book of special memories, a personalized family calendar, a mug, a T-shirt, a poster or a digital photo frame where your dad can show off pictures of his family.
9) CONTRIBUTE TO HIS DREAM: Dad’s real dream might be way out of your price range. Maybe it’s a trip to Australia, a vintage car or a home renovation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help get him there. Start an account and contribute something to get him started. Give him a goal and a plan to get there: “If we can all help you save just $100 a month, you’ll have enough money in xx months, years or decades.” Even if it never pays for the whole thing, the fund will let him know that others care about his dream, too.
10) GUILT-FREE TIME: Dads who work late and travel for business feel bad whenever they chose to do something for themselves. A poker game, a ballgame with the guys or a weekend trip without the family feels like we’re choosing fun over the kids. Give your dad a free pass on a couple weekend trips and he’ll remember that long after Father’s Day is over.
So what do you think of Michael’s ideas? What are your plans for Father’s Day?
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77 comments Add your comment
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
June 15th, 2009
11:03 pm
I don’t have any idea why No. 8 is a smiley face. odd.
nurse&mother
June 16th, 2009
1:23 am
I think 1, 9 and 10 are probably what my husband will like the best. Good suggestions, Michael.
Turd Ferguson
June 16th, 2009
7:42 am
Why not just ask him what he wants.
new mom
June 16th, 2009
7:46 am
These are some great suggestions! We are doing a variation on #8, our daughter is going to paint fingerpaintings for both her daddy and granddaddy, and I’m putting the canvasas in some frames for them. Hopefully her handprint will make it on there too! I also like the idea of cleaning up his car.
8. ended up as an emoticon because the 8 and ) were read as sunglasses and a happy face smiley 8)
motherjanegoose
June 16th, 2009
7:47 am
Yes, good ideas. I usually take our kids and Dad ( my husband) out to his favorite steakhouse…Texas Roadhouse ( he’s not hard to please) and I buy tickets to a Braves game for him.
Photos are always welcome at our house and we usually do number 8/smiley face LOL. He has a digital frame at work. Our kids sometimes get him a Best Buy gift card and then he can use if for electronics. He really has anything electronic that he wants because he buys it himself, exception is a wall to wall TV…haha!
I am surprised there is no mention of a grill and maybe most men do not want one but my husband LOVES his grill and he got one early this year as ours was worn out!
I also bought him a new recliner one year, he spends a LOT of time there and our little dog likes to wedge up on it with her Daddy! We laugh that she is his secretary since whenever he is using his laptop, she is squeezed right into the recliner with him and looking at the screen.
My husband does not work late…he works early. He gets up at 4:00 and is home by 3:30, so sleeping in is a treat for him. He took a LONG nap this past Sunday and that was great!
Maybe he needs more nap time.
I have no clue about number 7, so I am going to ask him today!
JJ
June 16th, 2009
7:49 am
My dad passed away a few years back, so we don’t do father’s day…….
Ya’ll be good to your Dad’s and tell them you love them!!!! Not just on Father’s Day, but whenever you talk to them. End your conversation with “I love you”!!!!! No sweeter words can be heard!!!
Photius
June 16th, 2009
8:09 am
It’s really easy: Let the ole man sit on the couch all day playing flip the channel and taking a nap in a quiet house; leave him alone. Cook him a very good steak, bring him beer and do whatever he wants to do in the bedroom.
motherjanegoose
June 16th, 2009
8:58 am
Turd…which is what Theresa did and she was kind enough to share. Some Dads will say, “aw shucks….nothin….” LOL Great job Theresa for following Turd’s directions before he even had the chance to come up with something profound….hahaha!
nurse&mother
June 16th, 2009
9:00 am
Although I rarely agree with Photius, I do agree with him on this one. I don’t know how to grill a steak, though.
JJ
June 16th, 2009
9:02 am
Interestingly enough, already a dad has chimed in and said, “leave me alone”…….didn’t we Mom’s get bashed for wanting alone time on Mother’s Day??????
Becky
June 16th, 2009
9:32 am
Photius, have done all of these except the beer..My husband doesn’t drink..
nurse&mother, marinate (sp) the steak in olive oil & garlic for 3-4 hours, throw it on the grill and you will have a good steak..
sd
June 16th, 2009
9:38 am
I really don’t want anything for father’s day. I, unlike women, do not say that and really mean that I DO want something. i would just prefer that no one does anything for me. I’d prefer it just be an ordinary day.
JJ
June 16th, 2009
9:46 am
Nurse&mother, I agree with Becky, but then cook it about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on how you like your steaks…..I like a medium rare ribeye, so I do about 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the steak. Man, I’m drooling over here……I may have to cook myself a steak for Father’s Day……:)
Once you put meat on the grill, don’t touch it until you flip it. Then take if off the grill, and let it sit for a minute. Let the juices re-dsitribute……
sd
June 16th, 2009
10:00 am
I commented already and its not here.
Anyway, as a Dad, I’d prefer the day just be an ordinary day. I don’t want anything and don’t need to be thanked or complimented.
deidre_NC
June 16th, 2009
10:18 am
theresa i really enjoyed to pictures you posted they are great!! this is a great list! great idea to let michael make it. surely everyone can find something here. i have no fathers in my life at all..well my 1st ex who is the father of my 1st 2 kids…but as for me i have none…so ditto what JJ said. to those of you who do have good fathers be thankful and let them know. i expect i will get a ‘happy fathers day mom!” from my 2 youngest kids. :) i usually do lol
Becky
June 16th, 2009
10:19 am
I, like JJ don’t have a Dad living, so to me, it’s just another day..My husband says that he’s not my Dad, therefor no gift needed…
Even if my Dad were still alive, it would not be a big deal, because he wasn’t a really good Dad anyway..His drinking and other women meant more to him than any of his kids..So if you have a good Dad or you are a Dad, hope your day is a great one..
And, if you don't have...
June 16th, 2009
10:42 am
…3-4 hours to marinade the steak, try using Lowry’s seasoning salt, Accent, and a meat tenderizer (be sure to poke holes in the steak and to season on both sides) for about 15 minutes prior to cooking, and you have yourself a steak to love. And, yes, follow JJ’s sugestions re: the timing for cooking the steak to your liking – though her 3-4 minutes per side may render a rare steak rather than medium rare!
Sorry, actually that should be...
June 16th, 2009
10:45 am
…Lawry’s season salt! My bad!
JJ
June 16th, 2009
10:48 am
I also much prefer charcol grilling, as opposed to gas grilling. To me, it’s not the same……..
Also, sometimes we marinate in Dales (LOW sodium) and alot of black pepper……..
Stan
June 16th, 2009
11:02 am
I prefer charcoal (sp?) to gas ass well…
Make sure the grill is hot enough to get a little char but not so hot as to burn the outside of the meat.
Melt some butter (real butter) with some garlic and brush liberially on the steak after you remove it from the grill whilst it is resting.
cook an onion or 2 over medium heat till they are good and brown and sweet to go with the steak, and don’t forget the taters.
Stan
June 16th, 2009
11:02 am
sorry…make that gas AS well
LOL
Jesse's Girl
June 16th, 2009
11:26 am
He never reads this…so I can post without fear! He is going shooting all day Sat. So I have mustered up a team…comprised mainly of cheerleaders and my girls’ group from church…to help me clean and organize the garage so that when he comes home all nasty and smelling like dirt and gun powder….he can stink in a clean “cave”!!! Happy Daddy’s Day my love!!!!
Jesse's Girl
June 16th, 2009
11:50 am
Photius….I like the way you think! I know Jesse will be doing just that! Of course…thats after he showers the gun range stank off!!!
Becky
June 16th, 2009
12:44 pm
Ok, guess I’m a whimp on this one, but I can’t master charcoal cooking, I use gas..
Stan, you and JJ are making me hungry..
jess
June 16th, 2009
1:28 pm
How bout a complete free gift?…give him some a** all day like i plan on doing!!… ;) yummy in bed all day long
JJ
June 16th, 2009
1:36 pm
Becky – I think I’m going to hit my local butcher and get a nice big fat ribeye for this weekend…Happy Father’s Day to me!!!!!…..I’m drooling over here……..
Becky
June 16th, 2009
2:29 pm
I think we need to start a dirty talking blog for some..
Jesse's Girl
June 16th, 2009
2:53 pm
Who was it we used to have that was ALWAYS talking nasty? Tameka? There was another too, but she was a huge prude….they would like that blog:) That blog would make giggle.
Photius
June 16th, 2009
3:11 pm
Go Jess! Smart lady! It’s free and Oh Soooo Goooood! Plus, he’s going to be happy!
Denise
June 16th, 2009
3:28 pm
I am traveling home to see my father and my brother. (I miss them so it’s as much for me as for them.) My plan is to take them out to dinner or lunch after church. They love a good steak so we’ll probably go to Outback (Daddy’s fave). Here’s my question: Do I have to pay for the spouses and the children? My brother has 3 kids under 8 so they will eat off the children’s menu. No big deal. My stepmother will be there, too. Again, no big deal. (Okay, I really wouldn’t be asking this question if I liked my sister-in-law and believed she wouldn’t eat and drink to gluttony just because it’s on my dime.) So what’s the protocol?
JJ
June 16th, 2009
3:35 pm
Denise, In my opinion, you only need to pay for your father, as he is YOUR father. I don’t think you should pay for your brother (He’s not your father), his wife should do that, since the kids are younger….but it’s a nice thought to include your brother. I don’t do anything for my brother on Father’s Day.
If not, looks like you will be stuck with the entire bill. And at Outback, that’s gonna get spendy…….
If you are doin' the inviting...
June 16th, 2009
3:38 pm
…then be prepared to pay for it all. If you get lucky and the sister-in-law has any couth then she will offer to chip in, too. It sounds like it is only one more mouth to pay for, so just be prepared and keep harmony in the family!
Jesse's Girl
June 16th, 2009
3:42 pm
I agree…it is not SOP to pay for anyone but your father and your mother or his significant other. Your brother is his wife’s responsibility. In all honesty, your brother and his wife should pay half for your dad.
HB
June 16th, 2009
4:21 pm
Denise, have you discussed these plans with you family? If not, you should.
If everyone gets together and decides they want to go to Outback for Father’s Day, then each is responsible for themselves, and you can offer to pick up the tab for your father and/or brother, but are not obligated to. If you invite everyone to Outback, though, you should be very clear in your invitation (before the day) that you would like to treat dad and/or bro for Father’s Day and politely ask if the others are willing/able to join you at their own expense. They shouldn’t be expected to spend money, even if it’s on their own meals, on your plans. If they opt out, you could help them arrange a less expensive celebratory meal at home for the dads that everyone can be part of, money-wise and work-wise. I also disagree that the brother and wife should pay for half of dad’s Outback meal. If they all decide ahead of time that’s what they want to do for a gift, then fine. But if bro and wife have other plans for how they want to celebrate dad, they are certainly under no obligation to pay for half of what sis wants to do.
Denise
June 16th, 2009
4:35 pm
Thanks yall. I have an idea of what I can do. And you’re right, Outback might be out since it’s cost-prohibitive for my brother’s family. (Wife doesn’t work.)
catlady
June 16th, 2009
5:02 pm
“Brother, would you like to go in with me to take Dad and Mom out for Father’s Day?” If yes, “where do you think we should go? You know, Dad loves steak.” Then Brother can say if he thinks Outback will work for them or not. (I am assuming, with a family, that Brother is an adult). And when you get there, tell the waitress/er discretely to put Brother’s meal on your tab, too. If Brother says, “No” then you can decide what to do for one or both of them, including cooking out at your house (Let Wifey bring some food for the meal.)
motherjanegoose
June 16th, 2009
5:13 pm
Denise….not sure if this will help but I am trying:
http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/foodandmenus/fathersday2009.aspx
Can you use this coupon where you are located?
I might say this: I am treating Dad and ____ to lunch for Father’s Day. If anyone else would like to pitch in, then let me know. ( Oh, we would like to go too….great…I can only cover Dad’s meal…are you good with that?)
I agree that it is better to get the plan up front or you will end up like I did with my NYC trip, I covered the hotel ( with buffet cooked to order breakfast) for 3 nights and got a ” thanks for your hospitality…” in return. I am learning that I need to be very specific. I should know this with clients but sometimes friends and family are the worst!
Catlady alluded to this a few posts back…common sense is not so common anymore.
Ladies….grilling is not hard. I have been grilling for over 20 years …do not let men intimidate you. This would be like me telling my husband that he cannot make a salad….any man should go for it!
I love to get a salmon filet at Costco and put it in foil, along with some herbs and drizzle on an oil and vinegar based salad dressing. Just seal it up and pop on the grill! Steak is easy too or even fajitas.
My husband does prefer the charcoal taste but then again, he thinks the gas is so much easier.
We grill 3 times a week at least! Best for not heating up the house in the summer. We rarely eat steak at a restaurant, as we both love to grill and it usually tastes so much better.
catlady
June 16th, 2009
5:18 pm
Speaking of your SIL, I have friends (a couple) who, if I suggest we get a bite to eat, the wife always says they can’t afford it right now (and they may not be able to). So if I say,”I’ve got a couple of extra dollars; I will pick it up this time,” he gets the cheapest thing on the menu and she goes for the most expensive. EVERY time. And if I say, “We gotta keep it under $X total”, she will say “I will pay $5 extra so I can get the (most expensive thing).” So her husband and I eat the cheapie food and she eats high on the hog. Needless to say, I have started saying, “Well, maybe next time” instead of offering to foot the bill.
Whatever you do, be sure you can do it with a joyful heart. If you are going to resent Wifey pigging out, don’t do it. No sense in spoiling your joy with your dad and bro.
catlady
June 16th, 2009
5:25 pm
Stan, the other way was funnier. I am surprised it came through on the post.
nurse&mother
June 16th, 2009
5:51 pm
Catlady, I can’t STAND to be around moochers!
fk
June 16th, 2009
6:23 pm
We have tix for Verizon/Encore to see Styx, REO Speedwagon & 38 Special. Just so happened that the show coincided with Father’s Day. As a matter of fact, I think we did the same thing last year, or I gave him tix for a show for Father’s Day…
My dad is far away, but we’ll see him soon for his 90th b’day. Big party.
Denise
June 16th, 2009
9:10 pm
Thanks for the coupon, MJG. I will print it out just in case.
I actually just bought a gift so if the whole dinner thing doesn’t work out well (with me having a joyful heart and not wanting to scratch the moucher, I mean, sister in law) I will still have given Daddy something that I want him to have that I know he will like.
I have a “won’t say no” complex. People know this and don’t mind asking me for things. Why not? They know I’m going to say yes. That is why I try to look at things ahead of time and make decisions before I’m in the moment.
FCM
June 16th, 2009
10:15 pm
Well my Dad is getting lunch out on Saturday….He asked for that time. I did pick the place, but only sort of, I had told him of a place I wanted him to try and then my Mom said want that for Father’s Day? So that’s that. I will pick up the bill but I did for Mother’s Day too. (That was funny, he was ok with me buying mine, the kids, and my Moms but not his ’since there is no way [he] is a mother thank you!”).
Then he is taking #1 grandchild (order of birth) home with him. Said grandchild will keep Grandma busy with some crafts project they cooked up….Grandpa will get to watch TV and snooze in his overstuffed leather arm chair. Eventually he will be required to ohhh and ahhh over the art/craft project. He will also have this grandchild run into the kitchen to fill his water glass, get fruit (which he will share with her) for snack, make popcorn that night (to share with her during a movie he will pick saying he wants it but it will be something she has been wanting to see). Then he will pretend to be disgusted with all the girly business of this grandchild when she comes down from the shower in pink Hannah Montana PJs and does her hair/nails to be ready for church. This is when he will excuse himself to bed…where he will read until he feels tired. More than likely he will think back to his own child (now the Mom) doing much the same at that age…..and thus he gets EXACTLY what he wants for Father’s Day….the people he loves best just being themselves and including him while letting him do his thing. 8)
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
b
June 17th, 2009
11:27 am
A present? We don’t do presents for Mothers Day or Fathers Day; instead the kids spend the day with us. For my dad it is a box of steaks or something since he lives so far away, but I make sure I call and we all talk.
Denise
June 17th, 2009
12:40 pm
I don’t usually buy gifts either but I just wanted to give my Daddy something for some reason. I haven’t seen him in 2009 and that is very irregular. Also, I think dads get gypped. Mothers get all kinds of flowers, baskets, company at church (CME Christians), nice lunch or dinner, etc. Dads get little attention compared to moms. I know that just by being home with Daddy he will think that’s enough but he’s so generous to everybody that I just wanted to show him some generosity. No, it’s not about the money I spent…which wasn’t much because I got him 2 ties since he is a deacon at his church and always looks sharp in his suits. I think he’ll like to wear them.
I bought my step-father a gift too. He takes good care of my mama and his birthday is Father’s Day. We’re a present-giving family but his is not. He’s generous but he doesn’t get any generosity in return. I’m sure the gift I will be the only gift he gets. I believe he deserves some recognition too but I won’t be there in person.
As for the brother…don’t know yet. Maybe I’ll just take him out to eat – just the 2 of us – so we can just have some time together.
lizzie
June 17th, 2009
3:08 pm
Two favorite gifts of my husband are a photo book from a few years ago, now that my girls are older, plus, from when they were much smaller, a piece of artwork. Each small hand is in paint, plus there’s a picture of each girl from that summer, plus a poem. It came out great and it’s still on the wall! I also like your idea of saving for a dream vacation — that’s a very cool idea as well. Books and DVDs are low-cost gifts as well — not totally free, but pretty painless on the wallet. DVDs are pretty individual, but how about a book about sports? This isn’t just a stats book, but rather one with great stories about sports mistakes that changed history. Very fun book called What Were They Thinking? The Brainless Blunders that Changed Sports History. Best of all, you don’t have to be a big sports nut! It covers all kinds of sports and talks about some key moments and how and why they ended up the unbelievable way they did. For example, some people might remember in the late 60s, when one of the networks went to the movie “Heidi,” instead of showing the end of a football game. That’s in there, as are some stories about the Super Bowl and strippers, and baseball, etc. Dad will love it.
Susan
June 17th, 2009
7:36 pm
If you are lucky enough to still have your Dad–just go by and visit with him for awhile. Tell him you appreciate all he did while raising you and that you love him. And don’t stay too long–maybe an hour. Of course, some people live too far away to visit–but for those…call him on the phone. All others, if possibe, SHOW UP. That’s enough–just show up.
Daisy
June 17th, 2009
8:39 pm
Terrific ideas! I only wish my father (and father in law ) were still here to honor on Father’s Day. But if my kids/step kids ask for hints .. I now have lots to pass along. Mainly, he loves having them let him know how much they appreciate him – and that simply means spending time together.
Liz
June 17th, 2009
9:42 pm
My husband keeps the birds and other critters that reside in our backyard well-fed and watered. He’s got feeders hanging up all over the place and he even has a decorative water fountain that’s on our patio which he makes sure is filled with fresh water. Since my husband has worked so hard over the years to put this little sanctuary together I logged on to the National Wildlife Federation website and filled out the quick web form to get our backyard certified as an official NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat. For a $20 fee he received an official certificate with a number that’s been assigned to our habitat, subscriptions to a magazine and newletter, a listing on the website and for another $25 I ordered him this really nice metal sign that amongst other things has “Certified Wildlife Habitat” on it. He is so proud of his certificate and sign! He thinks this was one of the best gifts ever!
Bill
June 17th, 2009
10:47 pm
Wouldn’t “thrifty” be a better adjective than “cheap” when referring to gifts for Dad? Or, for that manner, gifts for Mom (or Sis, or Brother, etc., etc.)