Fathers Day Gift Ideas to Fit Any Budget

by Tracy · 5 comments

Show you father just how much you love and appreciate him this Father’s Day. Gifts don’t have to be expensive to make a big impact, what is important is that you pick something that shows your dad that you see him as more than just the breadwinner.

And don’t worry if you can’t come up with something completely unique and clever – the big thing is that you choose something that reflects his needs and personality. That said, unless you know he has a great sense of humor, stay away from the ear and nose hair clipper sets!

Something to decorate his desk/office

Most fathers love showing off their family and interests, but in a subtle way.

  • A gorgeous framed picture of the family
  • A knick knack or souvenir from one of his favorite vacation spots
  • A desk calendar that reflects his interests
  • A geeky novelty from an online retailer like Think Geek to let his nerd flag fly

Something to wear

Clothes can be a great choice, but only if you take a moment  to think about your father’s tastes and needs. Be sure to get a gift receipt in case it doesn’t fit!

  • Dads who need to dress up for their work would appreciate a nice tie or pair of cufflinks. It’s cliché, yes, but on the other hand, it will remind him of his family every time he wears it.
  • Fun t-shirts like those offered by Threadless are a big hit with dads that are young at heart.
  • Dads who are into sports might not feel comfortable spending cash on athletic gear, so a nice wicking t-shirt or shoes would be very appreciated.
  • Who doesn’t like new socks? A bag of white crew socks might be a lame gift, but nice all wool or performance synthetic socks are a practical and luxurious gift.
  • Help your dad protect his skin with a great hat. Pick something that suits his personality like a jaunty fedora or his interests like a ballcap from his favorite team.

Something practical

Some dads are all about being practical and that’s why we love them! Show your dad you’ve been paying attention to his no-nonsense approach to life with one of these great gifts.

  • A weather radio can be a lifesaver. Some television stations will even hold events where they will program your new radio to pick up the local alert channel.
  • Nobody can ever have too many flashlights. An emergency LED or windup flashlight is great for those who live in areas prone to the lights going out.
  • Tools always go on sale around Father’s Day for a good reason – a lot  of dads enjoy tinkering around the house! Go ahead and ask him what he’s missing from his tool box so that you can get something he’s sure to enjoy.
  • If your father’s into cooking or barbecuing, don’t overlook books on technique, especially those with a heavy DIY bent.

Don’t forget!

While we tend to think of moms as being the more sentimental parents, our fathers also love us very much and would love nothing more than a lovely card or letter expressing just how much they have taught you about life and how much you appreciate them. They might be gruff about it, but deep down, knowing that they’ve been wonderful fathers to their children is the best gift of all.

Bonus Tip:

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Leigh May 25, 2011 at 1:24 am

A great gift for an older father is a cellphone if he does not already have one. It is hugely important that seniors can call for help in an emergency. I am giving my dad a cheap SVC phone from Tracfone. It only costs $15 and I can charge it for a year for $80, so for less than $100 he has a phone for a year. If he falls while he is walking in the garden, he can call for help. I will get him to carry it with him by only calling him on this phone.

Mark Time May 29, 2011 at 2:59 pm

Good suggestion, Lee. My uncle needs a phone and I’m tired of begging him to get one. The price is low enough for this scv phone so that even if he stays stubborn and doesn’t use it, it’s no great financial loss. But I think he might have to reconsider. Thanks.

Amanda May 31, 2011 at 9:27 am

I never know what to get my dad for fathers day as he has everything and he’s not materialistic. So I’ve been looking for phones for seniors who need special features on their phones like bigger buttons and bigger letters on the screen, etc. and found Jitterbugs phone too expensive and found Doro Phone Easy charged a $35 activation fee which I thought is absurd as most seniors don’t have enough money to make ends meet.
I came across Tracfone’s SVC Samsung T155G and thought not only was it so cheap that allot of seniors can afford to buy it but the Tracfone plan only cost $6.66/month.
I think this phone is definitely value for money and since Tracfone uses the major networks you know you’re getting the best coverage out there.
I actually can’t wait to see my Dad’s face when he gets this phone, I know he is going to like it allot.

Marty Colon September 11, 2011 at 3:48 pm

Have to agree with the other’s about SVC. To not have a contract or a bill is very good for those on fixed incomes and the ability to have a cell phone, even a simple one, with great coverage and a low price is invaluable. Excellent!

Susie COlho March 24, 2012 at 4:26 am

A couple of months ago I discovered one more site that talked in depth about this topic. I’m glad you were able to shed some light on what’s really happening out there. Some webistes are overtly biased towards points like this. Exactly where do you believe the industry is going in response to this?

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