10 Free Father’s Day Gifts

Father’s Day is in 3 weeks, y’all! Friendly reminder to start looking for a way to love on the men in your life. If you’re strapped for cash or are trying to pay off debt with intensity this year, here are 10 free (or nearly free) Father’s Day gifts for a spouse or dad in your life.

1. Something handmade or homemade. One year, I made my dad a black raspberry cobbler for his birthday and he LOVED it. So much so that I think now he expects this as a regular part of his birthday festivities. Whatever your skill set whether it’s baking, woodworking, screen printing, etching, painting, sewing, or crafting, try putting it to work to make something meaningful for your spouse or dad. You might discover their new favorite gift isn’t bought after all.
2. Gift-cycle. Every now and then we all get a gift that we just can’t use or don’t need. Father’s Day might be a perfect time to dig around and find a new recipient. Maybe you have an old gift card you’ve never used laying around. Maybe your husband has a hat, watch, cuff links, or wallet laying around that they’ve never touched but is in great or new condition. Just make sure you keep your recipient in mind AND make sure they didn’t give it to you. That would be awkward.
3. Help with a home project. If you are handy, helping a dad with a home project is such a gift. Whether it’s trimming bushes, weeding, installing a new light fixture, painting, fixing something that is broken, or simply showing up to mow the lawn. Busy dads appreciate assistance with daily chores or home maintenance.
4. Babysitting services. If you’re trying to come up with a gift for a young dad, consider offering to babysit (or pet sit) so the dad can do something he enjoys. If it’s your husband, this might not be such a gift, but maybe a day away might be the perfect pick me up for a busy dad. While this seems counter intuitive to offer to remove the kids as a Father’s Day gift, remember everyone needs some time away from their kids to truly appreciate the magnitude of the blessings they’ve been given.
5. Picnic in the park. What dad doesn’t enjoy a little picnic in the park with his family? Some time outside with a ball and mitt or playing at a park might be in order too. Be sure to pack some extra special treats or cards in your picnic basket for dad too to show him a little extra love.
6. Photo book or gift. Every dad needs a little photo love for their desk at work. I’m guilty of having a million photos on my phone of my husband that I never get around to showing him. Surprise a dad in your life by creating a photo montage or some kind of book with pictures that he can look through for years to come. Sometimes Shutterfly offers “free gifts” so you can get something professional, but you do usually have to pay shipping!
7. Date Night In. In our busy lives, scheduling a date night out can sometimes be a challenge. It is also expensive. Schedule a movie night with a picnic blanket and snacks in the living room. Try a game night or offer to play video games. Make a special effort to set aside a special night for the dad in your life to show him how much you care.
8. Live Music in the Park. Around us there are so many free concerts during the summer. Find one that might interest the dad in your life. Take some lawn chairs, drinks, snacks, and make a date of it.
9. Walk around a museum. So many museums have free admission days. Find a museum that your man might be interested in and find out when they have free days. Also, Bank of America cardholders, you can get free admission to over 225 museums nationwide the first full weekend of each month.
10. Staycation. If grandma and grandpa can watch the kids for a weekend, try a staycation. I am guilty of not being a great tourist in my hometown. Find a sitter and give the man in your life a staycation to remember. Pick new things in your town you’ve never tried. Cook together. Ride bikes. A weekend “away” doesn’t always have to be expensive. If you cut out the cost of renting a place, maybe you can do a few fun excursions and still keep costs low.

What would you add to the list? Father’s Day is easily overlooked in our house with so many summer activities! My oldest was actually born on Father’s Day so we always have a birthday in the same week! Sometimes it sneaks up on me! But I adore my husband and I’m so grateful for all he does for our family. Let’s show our men a little extra love. Here’s your friendly reminder that Father’s Day is coming.