Readers Respond: What's your best frugal Father's Day gift idea?

Responses: 14

By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide

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I shared my ideas for frugal Father's Day gifts. Now I'd love to hear some of yours. Share Your Answer

Why no put your dad's name or photo on Trevor Bayne's #60 NASCAR in the August 2012 race at Bristol. For $20 you can put his name on the car, or for $99 you can put his photo on the car. You then get a downloadable certificate saying your dad is a sponsor of the race team. That's a unique gift idea!
—Guest Brad

Myself and my siblings made my father a video of pictures from his childhood, our childhoods, and the grandchildrens' childhoods all set to music about daddy and grandpa... complete with videos of each of us talking about our father and what he means to us. It was a masterpiece and brought tears to all our eyes.
—Guest Penny

Men always like mechanical staff. A set of tire pressure monitoring caps can help him check his tire pressure just at a glance.
—Guest Small Gadgets made dad's work easier

Our dad's 82; and he's not big on tech, but we think he needs to keep a cell phone on him all the time - just in case he falls in the yard or anything like that. We researched a few companies, and decided a Net10 prepaid phone without too much stuff for him to have to figure out would make a great Father's Day gift. Net10 has a few plans, but we chose the cheapest, which is 150 minutes for $15 a month. The phone, which was $29.99 came with 300 bonus minutes and 60 days of service.
—cathyinthecountry

My father passed away one week after Father's Day, 2007, so it was very hard on me and my family. My mom had already died so I'm hoping he went to be w/ my mom. Anyway, that last Father's Day with my dad, I knew he was dying, so the best gift I could have given him was a letter about how I felt about how he was a father to me, from my young childhood, all the way up to that day in 2007. I covered so many different things in my letter, and I know it touched my dad in so many ways because he was speechless after I read it to him! I didn't give him a tie. That he couldn't bring with him where he was going! It wasn't even a pretty, sentimental card -- he couldn't bring that, either.. Yet, it was something he could and would bring with him. My special words tat I read aloud to him, on the last Father's Day I ever had w/ my dad!! Now, he could bring that with him to where he was going, and I'm sure he still has it with him, in spirit... In fact, I think I still have a copy of it on my computer. ~Suzy~
—SuzyScorp

Give some time with Dad. I would wash his car, vacuuming, waxing, the whole deal. I hand-made a special card, and I spent some quality one-on-one time with him. My father is no longer with us; he was also a veteran and is buried at Arlington Nat. Cemetary. I treasured our time together.
—Guest CB

My father loves the St. Louis Cardinals, and goes frequently to the games at Busch stadium. I had my picture taken with Fred Bird, and had the picture printed on a t-shirt, and gave it to him for fathers day. He loved it so much.
—Guest Rita Boul

I just purchased a gift for my dad. I am really excited, because its some personal and cheap. I purchased some tea from a company called "Park for Tea". They have a memorable design of a dad going fishing; just like we used to. I am really excited, so we'll see what happens. For all fathers out there, have a happy Father's Day.
—Guest Erin P.

My husband loves this one: Buy a long, narrow picture frame at a craft store. You will then need a mat that fits the frame and contains as many holes as Dad's name contains letters. I was lucky. My husband has a 3 letter name and my frame came with a pre-cut 3 hole mat. Next, get the kids to a grassy area and take their pictures. Have the kids lie down with their bodies forming the letters of Dad's name. Make sure the kid's clothing contrasts well with the background color. Print out the "letters". I printed in black and white to be artsy. Mount the letters in the frame. Dad now has an unique, personalized name plate that has captured the images of his children.
—Guest CO mom

Last year I couldn't afford to buy my husband a new bbq'r which he needed desperately, so instead I got out the wire brush, bought some black high temp spray paint, and went to work..cleaning and painting his old grill. It was fun because we had guests over for dinner on Father's Day, bbq'ing no less, and he was horrified to have to grill on it, and was so suprised and relieved when he pulled the cover off, and his old bbq'r was almost like new again..
—Guest Shiloh

A coupon book filled with tear-out tickets that say, "This entitles the bearer to one ... ." And then just fill in whatever you know dad would like -- garage cleaning, car wash, grill cleaning, etc.
—Barb.Rolek

My dad loves everything 70's, so I bought him some retro sweets from chewbz - they arrived in the post this morning and look fab!
—Guest SaraC

One way to really treat dad while sparing your checkbook is to take him to the livingroom spa. You can find lots of recipes online for mud masks, foot lotions, and hair treatments that use household items. Plan a day where you can clear the kids out of the house, make him a nice lunch and put on his favorite movie. Use a tub of hot water and Epsom salts to soak his feet while he watches, and slather on a mud mask before lunch. It's this personal attention and downtime that dads love the most!
—DiyRain

I'm making my dad a book safe, he doesn't read so it will be funny to see his response before he knows what it is!
—member3456

Erin Huffstetler
Frugal Living Guide