Father’s Day
Tips Gifts and Crafts for Father’s Day
Cherylyn Feierabend
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Father’s Day
In the month of May I was the proud recipient of not just one or two, but several craft projects made special for me, by my kids, for Mother’s Day. I treasure these items immensely! One of my favorite things about the kids starting school was that they’d now be bringing home cute little gifts they’d made for me. One of my mom friends was excited to tell me that it was her very first Mother’s Day craft she’d ever received from her son. So, here we are approaching Father’s Day, but the kiddos aren’t in school. Dads should have the opportunity to be the proud recipients of kid-made items too! I’ve collected some fun, easy, and actually useful ideas of projects you can do with your kids so they can give Dad something special and made-just-for-him on Father’s day morning!
The Coin and Keys Bowl
Last year my kids made their dad a coin and keys bowl. Almost all dads and men in general, that I know, have or need one of these containers. It’s a bowl, can, or box for collecting items that Dad empties out of his pockets when he gets home each day. Keys, coins, wallet, Bluetooth headset, business cards, cell phone, and other miscellaneous items that are often scattered throughout Dad’s pants pockets can easily be dropped off in this container. I’d like to say that I really don’t understand how their pockets get full of all that stuff, but then I’d have to empty out my purse and try to justify that mess, so I’ll just leave that alone. To make a special container for Dad’s stuff, you have several options. We happened to find a metal pail last year and we covered it with scrap booking stickers saying “#1 Dad” and other fun things. If your kids enjoy painting, you could supply them with a wooden box and some paints or check out a local ceramics-painting store. Once you have your decorated container, fill it with something Dad loves. We filled ours with candy and gum since that’s what my husband likes. You could also bake cookies with the kids and load it up, or put a couple of paperbacks you know he’ll love inside. If Dad is a golfer, maybe toss in some golf balls and tees. If he’s a gamer, you could add a gift card for online downloading points for his favorite video game system. Even though they are still making a crafty gift, it’s something that can be used daily.
Pictures for the Office
If Dad spends a lot of time at work, away from the kids, pictures are always a great gift. Digital photo frames are great because they can hold several pictures. If you have a ton of digital photos on your computer, have your kids help you pick out their favorites to add to the frame. Be sure to include baby pictures, pictures of the entire family, and take some new pictures of the kids that Dad hasn’t seen yet. Have the kids make a big sign that says, “I love you Dad! Happy Father’s Day!” and take several pictures of them holding it up for Dad to see. Then put all the pictures in the frame to surprise Dad when they pop up. Be sure to include the year on the sign so that if you update the pictures next year, he’ll be able to keep track of them and watch the kids grow through photos. If you want to go simpler than the digital frame, just head out to your local craft store and buy some undecorated frames and let your kids go wild adding their own special touches to them. The ceramic painting stores also offer a great variety of frames, so for those little painters, this is definitely another fun option for them!
Breakfast in Bed
OK, now for the big fun project for the morning of Father’s Day. On Mother’s Day it’s almost assumed that Mom is going to get breakfast in bed. Why not have the kids prepare a fun and special Dad-friendly breakfast in bed. No, that doesn’t mean Dad gets to start the day with beer instead of coffee. Ewww! Engage the kids in mixing up some waffle batter while you scramble some chorizo and eggs. Maybe the kids made Dad his own ceramic painted plate or cereal bowl. I know I’ve brought up the ceramic thing a few times now, but it’s such a fun thing for kids and it’s one of my favorite projects to do personally. You could serve Dad breakfast with his new dishes. Last year I painted my husband a coffee mug with Pac-man chasing ghosts and he loved it. So have the kids tell you what they think Dad’s favorite breakfast items are, then once you hear Dad stirring, surprise him with breakfast in bed, or at least just by having it ready when he’s up and about, then queue up one of his favorite movies that he’s always wanted to watch with the kids. A fun day of back-to-back Star Wars movies never hurt anyone, right? So give Dad some praise and love this Father’s Day and to you dad’s out there, Happy Father’s Day. Thanks for being great dads!
As many of you know, I attended the Phoenix Comicon last weekend. It was great fun! I’m a huge Star Trek fan and was lucky enough to have an opportunity to speak with Chase Masterson from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Chase is currently involved with and told me about Homeboy Industries which is an organization that assists at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training and education. You can visit their website at https://www.homeboy-industries.org. Our youth’s futures depend on them being successful! So, please stop by the website and checkout Homeboy Industries and all of the amazing things they are doing!
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Father and Daughter image courtesy of Shutterstock