Father’s Day Craft Ideas

Father’s Day Craft Ideas

Father’s Day falls on June 20 2010.  If you’ve already started looking for gifts and aren’t having much luck, check out our post on How to Choose Father’s Day Gifts. These tips may help you figure out what Dad wants this year.

Of course, you don’t always have to opt for gifts off the shelf. Making gifts is a great option that allows more personalization and saves you money. Ironically, hand-made gifts, which may cost less, are usually the ones that we can’t attach a price tag to. Their value lies not in the actual product but the thought and effort that goes into them, especially when they’re made by kids…which is why they’re considered priceless and are preserved for years.

So, if you’re wondering what to get your dad or husband on your children’s behalf for Father’s Day, take a look at some of these ideas and throw in your own creativity to make the gifts truly unique.

Father’s Day Gifts You can Make at Home

Hand-written poem wall or desk accessory:
Encourage children to write a short verse, poem or song for Dad in their best hand writing. They can even design the background or add a decorative border if they like.  Cut the poem to size and insert it into a photo frame – find an old one in the basement or attic that you can reuse.  To give the gift a longer life, consider laminating it instead. This will make a great gift for Dad’s desk or his office wall.   

Photo collage poster:
Start by collecting memorable pictures. For example, find pictures of your child holding her dad’s hand or the first time Dad gave Junior his bath, or one with Dad and baby asleep on the rocker. Look for pictures that tell a story or rekindle a memory. Scan them and use basic tools from image editing or graphic design software to position them however you want to create a collage poster.  Include dates and locations against each picture, Add a caption such as World’s Best Dad, Happy Memories with Dad or Happy Father’s Day.  Print it out on poster paper using an online service or an office supplies store. Or print it out on regular paper and have it laminated.   This gift adds a fresh twist to conventional photo gifts.
Alternatively, consider printable Father’s Day cards from gotfreecards.  You can select from dozens of designs, add a photo and your personal message and print it out.  Choose printable cards that can be colored in to turn it into a craft project for kids.

Hand-painted photo frame:
Breathe new life into an old, unused frame or purchase a photo frame with unfinished borders and personalize it.  Put your stamp on the photo frame by hand-painting a border design, adding your dad’s initials or a short message such as, We (heart) you Dad.  Young kids can finger paint it or add a free-hand design.  Don’t forget to insert a special picture in it before you give it to Dad.  Check out more tips on how to paint and decorate picture frames.

Coupon Book:
What are Dad’s least favorite activities? Mowing the lawn, cleaning out the garage, washing the car…? Why not make a coupon book of services offering Dad the option to use them on a day he doesn’t feel like doing something. Make a list of age-appropriate tasks that your children could do and help them make a book of coupons . For example, you might include ‘Lawn Mowing and Raking on any Two Saturdays of Dad’s Choice’ and ‘Exclusive Access to TV Remote on One Sunday Every Month’.  Coupons are a fun way to enlist children’s help around the house, while giving Dad the gift he could really use – free time!

Memories DVD w Personalized Album Cover:
Most of us have tons of video footage of our children’s milestones and don’t know what to do with them. Well, now is your chance to put them to use. Select the best shots that are special to Dad and make a Father’s Day video or slideshow. Add music and witty captions.  Get your kids to design a CD cover to go with it.  This is one movie Dad won’t fall asleep half-way through!

Find more Father’s Day Crafts inspiration on these sites:
http://fathersdaycraftideas.blogspot.com/
http://crafts.kaboose.com/i-love-you-daddy-poem.html

Father’s Day – Free Ecards and Printable Cards

On Father’s Day, what do you get a dad who seems to have everything?

My Dad is a strong, open-minded and friendly guy with a great sense of humor. He never takes himself too seriously and laughs heartily when we crack jokes at his expense! He is a helpful handyman, a dependable motivator and a trustworthy confidante.

Yet, it’s almost impossible to know what to get him when his birthday or Father’s Day comes around.

It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate gifts, but, he just seems so content and happy that you never know if he needs anything. It’s hard to buy gifts for Dad. Of course, he ends up loving whatever I get him so I always feel like I got him the perfect gift. He’s just a positive person who enjoys and appreciates everything his kids do for him. He especially likes it when we send him thoughtful wishes.

Which is why, regardless of what I get him, I always send him free Father’s Day ecards as well. Dad loves reading my personalized note and message. I know he preserves greeting cards and notes from his family for years. And you thought women were the sentimental ones!

If you’re not sure what to get Dad for Father’s Day, or, simply want to add a personal touch to your Father’s Day wishes, why not consider sending free Father’s Day ecards?

Gotfreecards has dozens of them to choose from. Here are a few of my picks.

The Handyman Husband: – The perfect ecard for your husband, who besides being a great Dad to your kids, is a great help around the house. Why not make his Father’s Day special by taking over his handyman duties for a day….at least virtually?!

King of the World…Just for Today: Even kids know who the boss is at home. But, on Father’s Day, Dad gets to rule.

Dad Your Beacon:
If you think of your Dad’s guidance at every step, if you hear his voice at every crucial crossroad and if Dad is your inspiration, no symbol could say it better than this one.

Daddy’s Girl:
Dads and daughters have this mysterious, magical bond that nobody really understands. Whether he’s giving her bike a gentle push or nudging her to go for her dreams…a daughter just knows that with Dad’s support she can do anything.

Thoughtful Gift:
Like me, if you can’t think of anything to get your Dad that he doesn’t already have or doesn’t really need….you can always rely on free Father’s Day ecards to warm his heart.  Ultimately, it is the thought that counts and free ecards help you convey them.

Printable Cards:
Free ecards aren’t the only way you can get your Father’s Day message across to Dad. Browse our section of Printable Cards and find one that fits your Dad’s personality. Choose from traditional designs to humorous themes, color-in pages to Rock Star and sports themes.
Just select your design, type in your message, print it out and send it!

So free Father’s Day ecards or Printable Cards? Which will you send Dad this year?
(Can’t decide? Send both! They’re still free!!)

Father’s Day is June 21st are you ready?

Father’s Day is June 21st. Kick off summer with Dad’s big day.

Dad. Superhero. Best Pal. No matter what he means to you, now is the time to let him know. (Even if he pretends not to care about all that stuff!) . Here is a quick summary of our posts.

Tucked in between Memorial Day weekend and July 4th is a holiday that many dads don’t take seriously. (At least, I know of one who simply laughs it off as a completely unnecessary fuss.)

But just because dad doesn’t make much of it doesn’t mean we should make Father’s Day any less special than it ought to be. Besides, this year, it’s the first day of summer. So you have all the more reason to celebrate.

Dads are a different breed. They’re cool alright. But they’re also funny and loud and huggable and hard to read at times.

So, what’s it going to be? Golf clubs or gadgets?
Tickets to a game or a TV? BBQ or beach?

* No worries! If you still haven’t figured out a gift for Dad, feel free to borrow some tips and ideas from our blog here.

* And regardless of where you are and what you plan to do, send a chuckle or two his way with our free Father’s Day ecards. From fishing to football to rock star dad, you’ll find an ecard to warm dad’s heart. Or maybe tickle him pink.

* He doesn’t check his email that often? No problem! Our Printable Frathers Day Cards section is your answer. Pick a card, add an image of your own or choose one of ours, type in your text, or choose a message and hit Print. Just make sure it reaches his hands on time!

There. So, now you have a gift idea. A free Father’s Day ecard. And a printed greeting card, just in case.

Right. Now go whip up that hearty Father’s Day breakfast and have a fabulous time with dad.

Happy Father’s Day!