Father’s Day means it’s time to celebrate the dads!
We all have different reasons to be appreciative of the fathers in our lives and this is a great time to express why we love them and are thankful for what they do for us.
I am a gift-giver. I want to show people that I love them by finding the perfect gift to brighten their day. But it’s important to know that gift-giving doesn’t have to be expensive. These are some hard times we are in, and there are lots of ways to spoil the special dad in your life with something thoughtful but simple, and without putting stress on your bank account.
Support Local
Put together a Farmer’s Market gift basket: Does dad love to cook with fresh produce? Or maybe he has a weak spot for fresh baked goods? There are several farmer’s markets happening still (with some new restrictions and procedures) where you can gather some of his favorites and create your own basket. Here is the info for the Marion Farmer’s Market and Cedar Rapids Farmer’s Market.
Local Iowa foods gift basket: Stop by (or call to order ahead) Dan & Debbies Creamery in Ely to put together a basket of some goodies you know dad will love based on how much you want to spend. They post what they have available each week on Facebook, but items include meats, jerky, honey, cheese curds, jams, pastas, and salsas.
Buy his favorite “fancy” coffee: It’s not a secret that most parents are big fans of coffee. This Father’s Day, get up early and surprise dad with his favorite brew from one of the local coffee shops! Be sure to check their websites for current ordering information. Here are some of my favorites: Wit’s End, Dash Coffee Roasters, Stillwater Coffee Co, and Lightworks Cafe. (Share your favorite in the comments!)
Buy his favorite dessert: Look into something local like Kathy’s Pies. They have lots of whole pies, cheesecakes, and cookies to make Dad’s day.
Purchase a simple plant: Flowers are a favorite when it comes to gifts for Mom, but maybe dad would love something green too! Moss is a local spot that has simple, but beautiful plants of all sizes. You can pair it with a homemade “Thanks for helping me grow!” card.
Order a Growler of beer: Do you have a craft beer fan at your house? Order a growler of one of dad’s favorites from one of these local breweries and surprise him with an ice-cold glass with dinner. Here are some local breweries to try: Iowa Brewing Company, Clock House Brewing, and Lion Bridge Brewing Company.
Personalize it
Desk Calendar: The days of the week have been blurring together a lot these last couple of months! A personalized desk calendar is a great way for dad to not only keep track of the passing time, but also see some smiling faces each time he looks at it! I love this one from Shutterfly (less than $20 at the time of publication).
Paint your own mug: This is a simple project for kids to do and all you need is some sharpies and a white ceramic mug. You can get a kit like this travel mug from Target (in stock at the local Target at the time of publication), or check out this DIY version.
Homemade key chain: These shrinky dink key chains would be so much fun for the kids to make. You may need to plan ahead to get the right materials, but there are lots of kits available online that are less than $20 and come with all you need!
Personalized Notepad: These notepads are perfect for the dad who is always needing to jot down notes or his thoughts.
Get it shipped fast
Water Bottle with motivation and time of day – Most people could use some help getting more water each day. This water bottle makes it easy with the time of day you should be drinking and motivation to keep going.
Stay Cool Towel – Is dad outdoors a lot? Maybe mowing the lawn or out golfing…..This towel will help him stay cool on those hot summer days!
Couch Coaster – No more spilling drinks! This will allow dad to relax on the couch with his favorite drink safely sitting next to him.
Remote Organizer – Anyone else have a dad in the house who is always complaining about lost remotes? I feel like we are always searching under couch cushions for one of the 378 remotes needed to turn the TV on. This remote organizer is a great solution!
Reusable Straws – Give a gift that helps the environment!
Free Gifts
Make a book: Dad can be the superhero of the story, or maybe it’s just a book listing the reasons you love him. Either way, a handmade book is something he will cherish.
An hour or two alone: Isn’t this what all parents want? Give dad his favorite spot in the house, add some blankets and pillows and hand him the remote or his favorite book. Then leave him alone to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Do Dad’s chores: What are all of the things Dad does each day or week? Make a list and commit to doing them all for Dad this week.
Handprint craft: I am a firm believer that parents love anything with their children’s handprints on it. It’s a little reminder of how little they were and how much they’ve grown each time we look at them. There are tons of easy handprint crafts online that you can make from stuff you already have at home! My kids love this one.
Printables: This website has lots of ideas from cards to questionnaires!
Remember, Father’s Day gifts don’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful. We hope this gives you some inspiration to celebrate your Dad this weekend! What are you doing to celebrate Father’s Day?
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