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Archive for May 28, 2013

Thank Dad on His Big Day Without Spending Too Much

Your father did everything in his nature to help you grow up right. With a tight budget it might be hard to find him something that he deserves, but there are many frugal options available that can help you find that perfect gift for dad. These ten tips can guide you in a direction you might not have thought about before and will ensure Father’s Day will always be something dad can look forward to. There’s no need to stress over the perfect gift any more, instead just think out of the box and tune your gift towards dad’s greater interest.

1. Get Dad Out of the House
Dad’s love to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, so why not take dad out for one of his favorite activities? A round of gold isn’t incredibly expensive and will give the two of you plenty of time to bond and enjoy one another’s company. Of course, you can also think a little bit more frugal and take dad out for a hike if you live near a trail. A nice hike will help dad relax and if you pack some extra special treats in your picnic you might just make dad’s year. Fishing is another great adventure that makes a simple father’s day turn into a perfect holiday. You can turn the day into a weekend trip and listen to dad tell you stories just like he did when you were a child. If your lucky, you might even catch some great deals on rafting, canoeing or mountain climbing that your dad might find to be incredibly exciting. There is also the ever popular baseball game that might win you big brownie points this year.

2. Watch Some TV
Dad’s work pretty hard so you can have the good life. This Father’s Day let your dad enjoy some time in front of the television where he can relax for a change. Give dad power to the remote and let him enjoy his favorite shows and games for the rest of the day. This might take a little bit of will power on your end. Even if you’ve seen the same baseball game over and over don’t complain about it. Let dad enjoy what he likes while taking in your company. Commercial breaks are also a great time to sit back and enjoy one another’s conversations. You might find that catching up with dad was more fun than you thought it would be and dad will always hold his time with you in high regards.

3. Chores
Dad’s tend to have a pretty large honey do list most of the time. This year you might want to take the list from mom and knock off a few of the items so dad doesn’t have to them. For starters, try mowing the lawn and any other yard work that dad might have missed throughout the week. You can also handle some of the easier task around the house. Make sure not to do anything that might cause a bigger problem though, as this isn’t a whole lot of help to dad. There are also a lot of things to do around the house that dad might not think about. You could organize his tools, shine up older trophies or fix up some of the electronics dad’s been having trouble with. After a few hours of work dad will not only be pleased for the break, but will also admire your efforts for his big day.

4. Cook Out
They say a key to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so why not give dad a gift that will satisfy both. With the June weather upon us it is time to bring out the grill and enjoy some classic summer foods that will make dad’s mouth water. Try to pick out some dad’s favorite grilled meats and give him a wide assortment to choose from. You might have to head into the kitchen to try out some of dad’s side dishes too. With a cook out in dad’s honor you won’t have to spend a whole lot of money to keep him feeling loved and appreciated. You can even invite other friends and family over to share in the celebration of your dad.

5. Detail the Car
Dad’s car is one of his most beloved possessions, so this father’s day show dad some love by showing the car some love. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to get dirty because this father’s day gift will make your dad beaming with pride. Make sure you give the car a good interior detailing. Don’t leave any trash or dust behind for dad to have to pick up a little later. You might refrain from throwing the trash away just in case dad needs some receipts or paper that you might have thought was trash. Once you have the interior cleaned, dusted, vacuumed and smelling nice make your way to the exterior. When you clean the exterior make sure you scrub the tires and clean on the windshield well. For some extra love add a finishing coat of polish to make the car look brand new. If you can get all this done before dad wakes up then you will surely be a superstar in his eyes.

6. Make a Card
Cards have become extremely expensive in the last few years. Although many of the play music, have props and other crazy thing they don’t actually beat a homemade card. You might want to look into making your own card this if you are running on a tight budget. There are many cool tutorials online that will teach you how to make a shirt and tie card that your dad will love. You can also think out of the box and come up with your own cool idea. The best thing about making your own card is that it is incredibly personal and will make your dad feel special. You can really go all out on a homemade car too. Whether you want to record your own music, draw your own pictures or find one on the internet. The choices are limitless and you will find that whatever you choose, dad will love the message and the thought that went into it.

7. Memories
Sharing memories with dad is one way to show him how you much you appreciate his presence in your life. This fathers day get your favorite pictures or videos together to make dad a collaboration of your favorite moments with you. You can either do this from a photo company or department store, or you can gather up some scrap booking gear and create a cool look of your own. Time is the main price when it comes to this gift, so if you have plenty to spare then this gift is perfect for you. A video collaboration is also very simple to do when if you have a computer that burns video content a disc. If you are really feeling creative you can also create a cover for the disc and a special case for dad to store it in.

8. Custom Gifts
There are a lot of online deals that can help you get dad a cool custom gift at a low price. Whether dad is a big coffee drinker or likes to keep his wardrobe casual there is something that can be customized online to suit his interest. You might have look hard for some of the better templates, but your dad will love showing off his number one dad shirt, or will love having his own dad only coffee mug. If you really want to be creative then you can make your own special gifts for dad. Try buying a blank t-shirt and decorating it with fabric paint to suit your dad’s style. You could also go to a pottery store and make dad a cool custom mug that he will cherish forever. It doesn’t matter what you choose to customize, dad will find some use for the gift and will feel as if you went the extra mile to give him a special day.

9. Shop Wisely
Tight budget or not, you might be able to find that perfect gift for dad if you use your shopping skills to get the lowest price possible. Shopping sales is always a must and luckily for most of use the Memorial Day Sales hit right before Father’s Day. This can open up a wide range of dad friendly items that get you the right gift without having to spend a whole lot. You can also search the web for a wide assortment of coupons on the gift you want to find. Sometimes, you might even get lucky and find one that can reduce the price to a fraction of the cost. One of the easiest ways to get the gift you want is to shop early though. You can start shopping for father’s day the day after father’s day, which can get you some awesome deals on dad inspired gifts.

10. Take Dad Out to Breakfast
The best way to give dad a great father’s day is to start it out right with a good hearty breakfast. Your dad will love spending time with you at one of his favorite breakfast restaurants. The great thing about breakfast is it can be one of the most filling meals of the day and can also save you a lot of money. During Father’s Day many restaurants will offer discounts on dads so your bill won’t be quite as expensive. A lot of breakfast places only charge half of the price they would for lunch and dinner. The best thing about going out for breakfast is it frees up a lot of time for dad to do just what he wants for his big day and gives him the fuel he needs to do it!

Don’t let Father’s Day go by without letting your dad know just how much he means to you. With these ten tops you can get dad something he will appreciate without actually paying a whole lot of money to do so. Your dad will love the special thoughts you gave to him and the time he gets to spend with you. With any luck, you might give him the best Father’s Day thus far.

Author: John Terris