A Life In Review

Mother’s Day has just passed and now we have to come up with some ideas for the Dads. You know the ones I’m talking about? The ones who come home from a hard day at work and are greeted by chaos and love. The ones who put up with your complaints about the kids knowing full well you love this life of yours. The ones who celebrate you and put up with your crap. They deserve some celebrating too. ^{(I’m just assuming if you are reading this, you are looking to celebrate a Dad in your life who deserves celebrating, I’m sorry if you have a different experience).}

There are all different kinds of gifts that you can get for Dads, so I thought that I would compile a few and get you ready for the “big” day. I also realize that there are different kinds of Dads too, so I split them into three categories: Dads who like homemade gifts, Dads who like practical gifts, and Dads who appreciate a good gag gift. You can mix and match too if the Dad in your life is a little of each.

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Homemade Gifts:

– Handprint Tie: This is a project that would be great for families big and small. First you need to find a plain colored tie (one that you think the Dad in your life would wear). You will also need fabric paint. You are going to paint the kid’s hands with the fabric paint and carefully place them down on the tie in different areas. Make sure to press firmly so that the entire hand print gets on there. I linked a picture of what your tie can look like, but you really have creative freedom here. Let it dry before wrapping it.
– Daddy’s Shoes: This is a great gift for a sentimental Dad. You can either start with some card stock, or a nice canvas (depending on how you want to hang it later). Using either black or brown paint, paint the bottom of Dad’s favorite shoe and stamp it in the middle of the canvas (or paper). You need to let that dry (while it’s drying, make sure you clean off Dad’s shoe). Once dry, you will paint the bottom of your little one’s foot (in a brighter color) and stamp that right in the middle of Dad’s shoe print. Using paint pens (or a brush if you have any talent), you will write the words “Following in my Daddy’s shoes, Happy Father’s Day 2021!”. It is up to you where you place the wording, but I did link a cute example for inspiration.
– Dad Mug: How could I write up a Father’s Day gift guide and NOT add a custom Dad mug. My husband considers this a right of passage in parenting. There are so many different ways to go about this project. The kid(s) could be in total control, or you can help them make a nicer looking mug (my husband said it’s supposed to be solely made by the kids, but it’s up to you). I linked one mug making kit (there are so many others), but this can be made at your local pottery place as well. Get creative with the kids and let them make a mess.

Practical Gifts:

– New Lunch Box: Let’s face it, somehow, Dads are great a destroying their lunch boxes. Last year I looked at my husbands and was completely grossed out, so for Father’s Day, he got a brand, sparkling new one. It is still kicking.
– Travel Coffee Cup: In order to put up with the crazy Dads face both at work and home, they need their coffee. The linked cup in particular is perfect for a working Dad. It can handle wear and tear (like being dropped a lot) and keeps coffee SO warm, for at least 8 hours (I know this for a fact).
– Grill Master Kit: It’s grilling season around here, and as Dad breaks out his old grill tools, take a look at them. If they are looking old or rusty, grab him a new set. The one that I linked has promising reviews and comes with a lot of different pieces.
– Back/Neck Massager: Hear me out, I know this one is usually saved for Moms, but we have some hard working Dads in our lives who could use this too. This massager in particular has been raved about all over the internet. A lot of times it’s women complaining that their S/O stole it from them (proof that men love this stuff too). You know the Dad in your life best, just think about it.
– Beard Grooming Kit: I know that there are a lot of bearded Daddies out there. This kit is a great way for them to pamper their faces (don’t say pamper to them though). The kits include different items based on the needs of the Dad, so choose wisely. Honestly you can’t really go wrong with this one though.

Gag Gifts:

– Potty Fishing Game: We all know a Dad (or two) that spend their alone time on the toilet (that nice 45 minute break 🙄). I for one, always want to know what takes so long. This gift is a great gift for that type of guy. Now when he’s sitting on the potty, pondering life, he can go fishing too (check out the link for the actual image of the product).
– Beer Belly: We always joke about the Dad bod (or beer belly) being the “in” body type right now for Dads. this gift in particular will give them the illusion of that oh-so-special bod. It’s a beer belly fanny pack. This gag gift would be great for new Dads on their first Father’s Day. Call it their “next level Dad” present. Plus, it’s big enough to hold actual beer, so it has some use I suppose.
– Face Socks: I’m not sure this would be considered a gag gift for every Dad, but I think it’s funny (which is why it’s listed in this category). You send a picture (or pictures) of the kids’ heads. The sock company then prints their heads all over the socks. They look super awkward, but they are so funny. I linked some from Amazon, but you can google personalized socks and you will find a bunch of companies who make them (you can also get YOUR face put on a pair of boxers, but that’s for a different holiday 😉).

There are so many more gift options that I didn’t include, but I wanted to make a shorter, less overwhelming list. Google and Amazon will literally show you everything a Dad could ever want, but I never know where to start, because the Dads in my life are so vastly different. I can’t help you the rest of the year, but my hope is that you’ll find some joy in gift giving this Father’s Day season (oh, and, good luck)!