A homemade present for my Dad

Erinnire

Hey everyone,

We are having a lovely cut back christmas this year and we've done a homemade secret santa type draw with the family. I've pulled out my Dad from the bowl and I have to make him something, but I haven't got many ideas.

I was hoping some of you lovelies may be able to give me some ideas.

A little bit of info:

He is 45, a police officer, was in the RAF, is a battle field guide and does lots of family tracing for people who had relatives in the WW's. He loves books and beer, and is about to become a published author himself.

I don't want to make him food or drink as I am rubbish in the kitchen. A photobook is also off the cards as I did those a few years ago for christmas. I did think of making a CD but I always buy him music on fathers day.

Ideally I am looking for something hearfelt that he will treasure but not too soppy as he is quite a manly man.

I was thinking because of his interests trying to get some plain medals and framing them with writing underneath, for different traits eg Strength, Bravery, Kindness that kind of thing but I am not sure if that is rubbish...

Please help!

EDIT: I haven't got a budget.

building_with_lego

It's not homemade but I got a lovely book for my Dad for Father's day from am@zon. It has blank pages with questions like, "what was your favourite toy and why", "tell me about your father", and the recipient fills in the details. I think I'm getting the book back for Christmas and I know he's loved filling it in.

Maybe a homemade book along those lines?

Salz

Can you buy some Chutneys or Pickles from a local Farm Shop, and put your own label on - OK, so you haven't made them, but they are usually small home made ones for sale in these places

sk00bie1

I've always struggled finding things to make for my Dad as he's not really into any of the typical Dad things, i.e. golf, gardening, sports etc. Will be reading this thread with interest!

I made him a sock monkey a couple of years ago that went down well, he takes it with him everywhere :rotfl:

This year I'm going to try and make a stand up calendar using a DVD case. :eek:

I think it'll have one page per month, each one with pictures of things that remind me of him or places we have been together.

I'll let you know how I get on

popularfurball

I have contemplated makings a "portable desk" for my dad - basically a lap tray (piece I wood, tray or padded tray) painted and decorated with half painted like a blackboard for note making (fab for reading/laptop)

http://pinterest.com/pin/117797346474925203/

TylersMummy

Is there anything special you two used to do together? Do you have some little trinkets or souvenirs from days out/memories? I saw a lovely thing the other day online with people making their parents or children jars full of memories. For example there was one that was a memory from a holiday that contained sand, plane tickets, some shells, the dinner receipt etc.

Like this: http://static-americas.fiskars.com/var/fiskars_amer/storage/images/frontpage/activities/crafting/project-gallery/other-projects/beach-memory-jar/49117-1-eng-US/Beach-Memory-Jar_product_main.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_faBeNT8cjJE/S7f5j5mAzYI/AAAAAAAAEWk/tIGy9AlL0AQ/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG

Or some people fill it with actual memories scrawled on different pieces of paper.

You could think of memories of you both and write the memory, paired with a little object to do with it. For example, if I was doing this for my dad, I might remember when we went fishing and I dropped his rod in the water, lol. For that I could put a fish keyring in there with a tag attached to it saying "when you took me fishing and I dropped your rod". Or if you once (I really am just making examples) went to the cinema together, you could get a little cellophane bag and put a couple of bits of popcorn in and attach "when we went to see blahblah". Or if a certain meal is special to you and reminds you of your dad, print off the recipe, roll it up and tie it like a scroll and pop that in.

Anyway. Just an idea. Thinking of doing one for DH for our anniversary next year.

I hope that helps in some way and good luck.

scaredy_cat

do you have any local independent brewerys near where you live? do they do tours or tasting days? or perhaps they have a book of their history?

perhaps get a pint mug and either engrave/paint it yourself or check out a local craft fair for one?

Erinnire

TylersMummy wrote: »

Is there anything special you two used to do together? Do you have some little trinkets or souvenirs from days out/memories? I saw a lovely thing the other day online with people making their parents or children jars full of memories. For example there was one that was a memory from a holiday that contained sand, plane tickets, some shells, the dinner receipt etc.

Like this: http://static-americas.fiskars.com/var/fiskars_amer/storage/images/frontpage/activities/crafting/project-gallery/other-projects/beach-memory-jar/49117-1-eng-US/Beach-Memory-Jar_product_main.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_faBeNT8cjJE/S7f5j5mAzYI/AAAAAAAAEWk/tIGy9AlL0AQ/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG

Or some people fill it with actual memories scrawled on different pieces of paper.

You could think of memories of you both and write the memory, paired with a little object to do with it. For example, if I was doing this for my dad, I might remember when we went fishing and I dropped his rod in the water, lol. For that I could put a fish keyring in there with a tag attached to it saying "when you took me fishing and I dropped your rod". Or if you once (I really am just making examples) went to the cinema together, you could get a little cellophane bag and put a couple of bits of popcorn in and attach "when we went to see blahblah". Or if a certain meal is special to you and reminds you of your dad, print off the recipe, roll it up and tie it like a scroll and pop that in.

Anyway. Just an idea. Thinking of doing one for DH for our anniversary next year.

I hope that helps in some way and good luck.

That's an amazing idea, thanks so much!

Thanks to everyone for their ideas too!

My dad isn't into sports of tools or anything either. Why do they have to be so blooming difficult!

TylersMummy

You're very welcome! Remember to come back and show us pictures of whatever you decide to make!

juniper_berry

building_with_lego wrote: »

It's not homemade but I got a lovely book for my Dad for Father's day from am@zon. It has blank pages with questions like, "what was your favourite toy and why", "tell me about your father", and the recipient fills in the details. I think I'm getting the book back for Christmas and I know he's loved filling it in.

Maybe a homemade book along those lines?

What a fantastic idea - this has really inspired me to give them to close family as I rarely get to see them and time can disappear so quickly. I've bought one second hand and plan to take some tips from it to make one myself

gemini12

How about a hamper with his favourite snacky things or pint of socks (yes I know boring but you could use a flannel with favourite toiletries. It depends on your budhet.