10 Free Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
What is Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is celebrated all over the world to recognize fatherhood, the importance of fathers in society, the loving and caring men in your life. March 19 has been the traditional day to celebrate in Catholic Europe since the 16th century. The Portuguese and Spanish brought this celebration to Latin America. North America later adopted it and celebrate it on the third Sunday of June.
Father’s Day Quotes
A girl’s first true love is her father —Marisol Santiago
Behind every great daughter is a truly amazing father —Unknown
To her, the name of father was another name for love —Fanny Fern
She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father —Harper Lee
Most people buy gifts for their dad for his birthday, Christmas and Father’s Day. Over the years you have bought him shirts, socks, and cologne, taken him for movies, to his favorite steak restaurant, and for a round of golf.
We are still in the COVID crisis so why don’t you do something different.
Here are ten suggestions for this Father’s Day which will not cost you.
Make him a hand-made gift card
Forget about the Hallmark cheesy cards. He is your one and only Father. Make it special. He will appreciate it. Your handmade card is unique and the only one on the planet.
Ask him about his childhood
Show a deeper interest in him and his life. Ask him about his background, his parents, his childhood, and his time at school and university. Go through old photographs. While he talks listen to him.
Thank him for everything
I am sure your father sacrificed at some point in his life to raise you. Tell him verbally how grateful you are to have him in your life. Thank him for everything he has done for you.
Serve him
Give your dad a break by serving him and taking something off his to-do list. Go over and clean his home, his car, declutter the garage, clean the grill, or just hang out with him.
Praise him
This is the time to focus on his strengths. Was he a kind and patient dad? Then let him know.
Play a board game with him
If your dad is into any board game or hobby, show an interest in it by getting involved.
Go for a walk
Father’s Day is in the month of June. The weather is great. Go for a walk with him. Tease him, talk to him, tell him one of your favorite memories of him with you during your childhood
Make him a playlist
Ask your dad in advance what his music taste is like and create a playlist for him.
Forgive Him
There is a reason I have left this until the end. Some of you have an estranged relationship with your dad. I get it. The third Sunday of June comes and goes without much fanfare. Your dad divorced your mom, he left your family for another woman, he never provided, he was an alcoholic, he abused you or he was never there emotionally for you. The list goes on. You have been on a roller coaster of anger, resentment, depression, low self-esteem, and self-doubt.
Forgiveness is letting go. Let the negative feeling and emotions go. Yes, he has not changed. OK, I get it. If you cannot change something, change your attitude toward it.
Try to find something good in him. Then write a letter, a note, a text, an email or just call him and make peace. It will free you and you will be empowered.
I am going to end with a few verses from a poem called The Power of Forgiveness by Pat A. Fleming.
Some people view forgiveness,
As a virtue for the weak.
An act of Mercy undeserved,
That serves no useful need.
They’re focused on how they’ve been wronged,
And won’t be made the fool again.
So they feel they must avenge themselves,
By refusing to give in.
They will sacrifice their family,
Or forsake a long, time friend.
Do anything they have to do,
To be the winner in the end.
Or perhaps it’s that they can’t resolve,
The depth of all their hurt.
Caused when someone that they’ve trusted,
Left them questioning their worth.
But no matter why the struggle,
Out of pride or out of fear.
Not being able to forgive,
Can cause the loss of ones most dear.
Yes, forgiveness is a virtue,
They even say it is divine.
But more than that it sets you free,
From what weighs you down inside.
Photo Credits: Christian Bowen Gift Habeshaw Jay Clark Kon Karampelas Tessa Rampersad Corey Young Jordan Opel Haley Phelps
I completely enjoyed it. Like the ideas were awesome and REAL. That’s what was really important. Most of the bloggers just write up things for views… But I felt that while writing it, you were serious and wrote it with deep emotions. I would recommend it to all my friends. Surely, all our fathers would love these ideas. Thanks a lot! 😁❤
I love this! The forgiveness part is so so true. Really, that’s a gift to yourself. Unforgiveness can even cause physical ailment in the body due to stress. Happy Father’s Day to you!
This article hit me hard. I miss my father. His memories still live in my heart but the void he left behind will always be present. 🙁
LOVE this and how it is not all about money! Great ideas and the handmade card and lots of thanks are fab suggestions x
I love the idea of asking your dad about his childhood as a Father’s day gift. Some of my favorite memories with my father are when we’ve talked about his childhood.
What a beautiful post! Everything has so much meaning in this post. The forgiveness section has me really thinking. THANK YOU for a very real post!
The best gifts in life for any occasion, are the ones you can’t buy. I’m not a fan of any Hallmark holiday, so of course, I love this post and pulling away from commercialism! Nicely done!
Great gifts! My father made so much for me especially in terms of making me who I am today. Now I know how much he fought with himself and his vision to raise in gender equality. I love spending time with him one on one, normally doing some sports
As I read this, I took a trip down memory lane. Sometimes I regret not having better or more memories of my father. One of the things I always wished was that I had more time with him, when I wasn’t a dumb kid and didn’t appreciate him. Hindsight is 20/20. I feel like he would be the one who prepared me for some of the challenges I’ve faced as an adult, especially when it came to my mother. All I can hope for is that wherever he is now, he is watching over me and proud of the person I have become. I know I fought hard to become me, so hopefully he is just as proud of that accomplishment.
Some amazing ideas and I really love that you added in forgiveness as well, that can be such an important one and is probably the greatest gift you can give your dad. I also really like the idea of sitting down with him and playing a board game, I haven’t done that in ages but it would be really fun.
These are all great ideas. Often, we tend to focus on physical gifts when the gift of time or forgiveness is actually more important. Thank you for this reminder.
These are some wonderful free ideas to celebrate fathers day. I know my fiance would love all of these.
What a cute post! I loved all the amazing ideas. Best Part is you don’t have to go out, you can stay home and be safe and still show lots of love.
I love this list. It seems like everything would be so appreciated for father’s day.
These are some really sweet ideas! Thanks!
Loved this post. So true, alot of people don’t have fathers or aren’t close to them at all. I loved the forgiveness poem also! Thanks for sharing!
I love love LOVEEE this post! I never know what to get my dad for Father’s Day as he always seems to already have everything! But this one hits right in the feels. 💖
Great ideas. You are correct many are not close to their father. So grateful for all the wonderful men out there who are excellent fathers.
I love it! Father’s day is indeed the best time to make dad feel how special and appreciated he is. ❤❤❤
I honestly love this post. The suggestions for father’s day gifts that you made are truly unique and while everyone thinks to buy physical gifts, a man appreciate more a compliment and some encouraging words. You nailed this post and I will recommend it to everyone.
Thanks for sharing this, these ideas are so unique and thoughtful 🙂
These ideas are all so wonderful and thoughtful. Instead of just material possessions, it is nice to have ideas that really show our appreciation.
Loved these ideas, very unique, thanks for sharing
Lovely ideas. These days my 6 year old girl always make cards for her dad and always plan to do something special on his birthday and father’s day. Your ideas are a great to add on her list and mine too.
Loved your ideas. Dads need love and affirmation.
I love these ideas! It’s really another the thought and not the price of a gift- so well done!
These are awesome ideas! I love that you included serving dads. Sometimes we think we need to purchase a gift for it to matter, but oftentimes it’s our acts of service that communicate our love and adoration the most!