The typical Father’s Day celebration is to wait on Dad, hand, and foot, hand him the remote control, and let him do whatever he wants for the entire day.
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Try a Different Kind of Father’s Day
This Father’s day we’d like to encourage Dads everywhere to have a different idea or outlook on the day. We’re challenging you to make it a day when you serve your family. Instead of being served, give your time and love to their wife and kids. And in doing so, you’ll receive much more in return.
There is no better Father’s Day present to receive than to have little hands squeeze your face after you fix a broken toy or finish swinging your child at the park.
Ideas That Turn Work into Play
We had several of our grandkids over to the house and Steve was playing with them. We had just replaced our swimming pool filter and had saved the box.
Kids love boxes and Steve had a plan. He and Jason (our grandson) worked together to turn the box into a playhouse complete with a window, roof, and a door with a doorknob.
Jason helped draw the shapes and install the doorknob. Steve cut the holes using a matte knife.
They attached the roof using brass paper fasteners and packing tape.
The project took about 30 minutes to complete. The kids have played with it for months. And the pride they have in having helped to build it is priceless.
RELATED ARTICLE: Family Teamwork – Accomplish More Together
Best Gifts Ideas for This Father’s Day
Some of the best gifts Steve has ever received are tools that he uses to build things for Annette and the kids.
He’s constructed things like built-in oak bookcases, captain’s beds from salvaged waterbed frames, storage racks, shade structures for our dogs, and he’s also refinished lots of furniture.
He and Joe built an 8′ tall cubby-hole shelf unit a few years ago from used lumber purchased on CraigsList —you can read more about it and other things we do in this article from American Profile Magazine).
If you want to see a list of fun and inexpensive gift ideas, check out our best retirement gift ideas blog. While the dad of your family may not be near retirement age, some of these ideas will be perfect.
The Right Tools – at the Right Price
Having the right tools (not necessarily the most expensive ones) helps him to get the job done quickly, safely, and well.
Check out CraigsList or OfferUp.com for estate sales and for specific tools in your area. We especially like church rummage sales because there are usually lots of tools and no one is emotionally attached to them. This is the best place to pick up good tools inexpensively.
If you don’t have time to shop on CraigsList, check out Amazon and eBay
, you may be surprised at the deals you find.
Learning to Do Home Repairs
And Dads, don’t forget that one of the best ways to save money is to learn to do household repairs and small construction projects on your own.
Not only will you save money, but you’ll amaze your wife and you’ll be able to teach your kids how to manage and repair a home—these are great life skills to pass on.
RELATED ARTICLE: Home Hacks – Saving Money Around Home
What if you Don’t Know How to DIY?
YouTube has thousands of step-by-step/how-to videos for just about every type of household project you could imagine. When Steve encounters a new home repair problem or project, YouTube is one of his first stops.
Find a handy mentor or be a mentor. Steve has spent the last year or so working with son-in-law Collin, helping him learn how to do dry-wall, plumbing, and other carpentry work.
This is the very thing Annette’s dad did for Steve when we bought our first home.
If you are “Handyman Challenged” see if one of your friends can help you repair something and learn while you do it together – Steve and Annette’s dad (Syl) do this all the time and really enjoy their time together.
Tools that Steve Likes
- Delta Table Saw – can’t live without this
- Compound Miter Saw
- Black & Decker 3″ x 21″ Belt Sander
- Bosch Jigsaw (this was a gift from our son John) great for cutting wood and metal
- Craftsman 165 Piece Socket Set and open-end wrenches (another gift from John)
- Black & Decker 7 1/4″ Circular Saw (with a cord)
- Dewalt 20v drill and extra drill bits
- Clamps – Quick-Grip, one-handed clamps
- Woodworkers glue
- Rotary tool / Dremel with a flexible shaft attachment (this is one of the handiest tools to have)
- Craftsman Router and router table