#1: Handprint Art
This gift is simple, but it’s also one that can be really sentimental. It freezes your little one’s tiny handprint from this year in paint forever!
Simply get a piece of cardstock (or even just construction or printer paper), dip your child’s entire hand in one color of paint, and press their handprint down into the middle of the page. I actually use half sheets for mine, since I wanted them smaller and more proportionate to my little one’s hand.
After you have the handprint done, you’ll want to wash that hand off quickly (yikes) and then write your message in marker or crayon. I opted for “High Five, Dad” and “High Five, Pop-Pop” because my two year old is counting now, and I thought that was a neat thing to capture in this piece along with his current handprint size. I’m sure there a ton of other cute phrases you can use, like “Hands down, you’re the best Grandpa” or something similar.
I did two of these – one for my dad, who is the world’s best Pop-Pop, and one for my son’s father. I’ve mentioned before on this blog that my son’s father and I are divorced, but I’m in the business of raising a thoughtful little boy, and, to me, that means setting aside whatever happened between us and teaching my son to be a giver. So, we made handprint art for Father’s Day for my little man to gift to his dad.
#2: At-Home Cookout
If your dad is the hardest to buy for – or if you have dads and grandpas and uncles galore and need something to give to all of them – I suggest a backyard cookout! Dads typically aren’t picky – at least in my experience – and the thought seems to be what really matters. So hamburgers or hot dogs are probably fine, but I’d suggest adding a homemade item or two to make it extra delicious and thoughtful.
You can try my Italian pasta salad and my strawberry poke cake recipes for some relatively simple but homemade touches to your cookout spread!
#3: Bit’O’Honey Jar
My dad likes those Bit’o’Honey candies, and no one else in my family does. (Because they’re SO sweet and sticky!) This is a gift just for him that only he will enjoy – and he can take it work and stick it on his desk, or he can put it in the garage on his work bench to enjoy for the next few weeks (or days, if he gets snacky).
I got a mason jar, two bags of Bit’O’Honey candies, twine, and a piece of cardstock. First, fill up the jar with your candy and tighten the lid.
Next, on the cardstock, I pre-wrote a message that correlated with the candy: “Have you heard the buzz? It’s Father’s Day, and I am sweet on you!” I then dunked my toddler’s index finger in yellow paint and make two yellow fingerprints in open areas on the card. After letting them dry, I used black marker to turn them into little (and imperfect) bumblebees. I punched a hole in the corner of the card, used the twine to fasten it onto the jar with a simple bow.
I think this is going to make the perfect little gift for Pop-Pop!
What DIY gifts do you give to the dads, grandfathers, and other important men in your life on this holiday? Share in the comments below!
Kate with a Twang 