10 Father’s day ideas on a teeny weensy budget

With Fathers' day just around the corner, why not show him just how much you care by investing a little time to make his day extra special. Below are some ideas to celebrate daddy’s everywhere.

1. Put a CD together of your dads favourite  music
Buy some blank CD’s and make a drive time compilation album of all his old favourites. You can design your own CD cover and then print it out.

2. Wash his car
Cleaning the car needn’t clean out your purse. Have a look at this homemade car cleaning page for a cheap alternative to expensive cleaning products. A squeaky clean car inside and out is enough to bring a smile to any man’s face.  So round up the kids and get your rubber gloves on and make his day.

3. Make a money box for his dream fund
We all have dreams and why should your ‘dad’ be any different.  Sometimes we dismiss our dreams as unachievable due to a number of reasons, lack of finances usually being the main one. So why not kick start his dream fund and make him a money box to get him started or open up an account that you put a little into each month, even £5 a month will get him on his way to ticking of one of his dreams, be it a power tool or a big ticket item.

4. Write him a thank you letter
Many years ago I wrote my mum, dad and two brothers a letter explaining to them just how much they meant to me. They cherished that letter and it brought tears to their eyes. Sometimes it is hard to say the words you feel to those you love so spending time to write your a gratitude letter will be something he can keep forever and read over and over again.

5. Make a coupon book
Why not make a homemade coupon book entitling your ‘dad’ to a free hug,  car wash, breakfast in bed, a lie in etc. You can let him redeem 2 or 3 a week until he runs out. Everyone loves a hug and they don’t cost a penny!

6. Make him a hand painted t-shirt
Why not make a t-shirt with your children’s handprints or footprints on? It’s very simple and your kids will love creating something unique plus they’ll get to get their hands covered in paint. If you sign and date the shirt you can keep tabs on just how much your little ones grow.  All you need is a cotton t-shirt and some fabric paint.

7. Make a hamper of all his favourite junk food.
Most men have some favourites on TV, my husband’s is cricket and rugby and my fathers’ is back to back episodes of the Sopranos or Deadwood. Why not get a wicker hamper and fill it with all their favourite junk food and drinks, so they can tuck in and be ready for the next mammoth session of sport or DVD’s.

8. Framed photograph
Pick out your favourite photo of you with your dad or your children with your husband and get it blown up and frame. If you are feeling really adventurous, why not decorate the frame so there is only 1 in the world like it.

9. Make him a D-A-D cake
Pitch together and make him a cake with your fair hands. There are loads of cakes you could make, chocolate is always a family favourite and a good excuse to indulge. There are some great recipes on the net and I have listed some below under further info.

10. Give him a hug in a box
Make your special dad a box with a hug inside, you can attach or write this beautiful poem onto it as the box is intended never to be opened. Why not decorate the box with photographs like a collage and then tie a pretty ribbon around it.

This is a very special gift
That you can never see
The reason it's so special is
It's just for you from me.

Whenever you are lonely
Or are ever feeling blue
You only have to hold this gift
And know I'm hugging you.

You never can unwrap it
Please leave the ribbon tied
Just hold the box close to your heart
It's filled with hugs inside.

Further info
for fun / personalised cards: Moonpig
free card templates: Activity Village
How to make a money box
for cheap photo prints: Photbox : Snapfish
fabric paints: Kidscraft : Crafts4kids
White T-shirts: ASDA
Cake recipes:  Family Fun

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15% discount at Viva Box
15% discount at Thorntons
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10% discount at mankindonline.com
10% discount at Halfords
8% discount at Topman

Copyright © 2009 Gemma Johnson.  All rights reserved. 

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