Long gone are the cliche Father’s Day gifts that never get put to use or end up being donated or thrown away. This Father’s Day, we encourage everyone to think outside the box when it comes to gifting. Think: DIY gifts made from the heart or experiential gifts like going for a hike. Organized by a variety of interests, we hope these ideas help spark inspiration for this year’s Father’s Day gift.
THE OUTDOORSMAN
Plan a hike together There is nothing quite like a day spent outside in nature with a loved one. For a Father’s Day gift you and your dad can enjoy together, plan a hike and explore unchartered trails or revisit your favorite ones. For a list of the best trails in the United States, click here.
Snack/Trail Mix! Everyone knows that food tastes better when it’s made with love. This easy-to-follow recipe is so simple, yet so delicious. Perhaps you make some before heading out on a hike with dad? Yum! Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted salted cashews
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup seeds of choice
- 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- Fun toppings! (raisins, candy, pretzels, popcorn, etc)
DIY Hand Salve via Natural Green Mom
Made with all natural, nontoxic ingredients (that work!) this homemade hand salve is a lifesaver for dry skin. Pro-tip: substitute soy wax for the beeswax for a vegan alternative! Materials
- 2 Tbsp shea butter
- 2 Tbsp grated beeswax (or soy wax)
- 1 Tbsp almond oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- Double boiler
- Fill the bottom of a double boiler with water and heat over medium heat.
- Add shea butter and beeswax to top of the double boiler and gently melt while stirring.
- Add almond oil to melted beeswax and stir.
- Pour salve into a small tin and quickly add the lavender essential oil.
- Allow the salve to cool. In about 10 minutes, it should be cool enough to start applying to dry, cracked hands
THE SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
DIY Sports Themed Coasters via Across the Boulevard
A unique way to create custom coasters with the logo of one of dad’s favorite sports teams. It’s a relatively inexpensive project that will remind your dad of you every time he is cheering on his favorite sports team! Materials
- Blank coasters (number of your choosing)
- Craft paint in desired colors
- Using the two team colors, paint half of the coasters in one color and half in the other. Apply two coats of paint to each coaster.
- Find team logos online and print it on plain printer paper
- Cut each logo out
- Cover coasters in Mod Podge, then place logos on top
- Apply a second layer of Mod Podge over the top of the logo
- Allow coasters to dry overnight
- The following day, spray each with a coat of Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish
- After letting that dry, add a second coat
THE CHEF
DIY Spice Containers
Create custom spice containers for your dad using empty shot bottles! It’s a great way to limit your single-use plastic by buying spices in bulk, while reusing old shot bottles. Materials
- Empty SGSY probiotic shot bottle
- Hot glue gun
- String or yarn
- Spices
- Simply draw two lines of hot glue on each side of the bottle, going from top to bottom
- Starting from the bottom, wrap the string around the bottle in whatever design you please!
- Option to poke holes in the top of the cap to allow for sprinkling using a drill
- Option to label the top or the side!
Mason Jar Herb Garden via Plant Instructions
Some good soil, a little bit of sun, and some water, and you’re off and running! This Father’s Day, give your food-loving dad the gift of an at-home herb garden that can sit at your windowsill all year round! Materials
- Mason jars
- Mason jar holder (optional)
- Soil
- Rocks/pebbles
- Plants/Herbs
- To your mason jars, add a few rocks or pebbles. This will help with drainage.
- Fill your mason jars halfway with potting soil. Learn how to make your own potting soil.
- Plant seedlings or grown plants into the soil.
- You can also plant herbs from seed such as cilantro, parsley, or choose from these 5 herbs that thrive indoors.
- Water only once the soil feels dry – over watering herbs could make them dye out!
- Place the mason jars in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill.
- Only harvest 1/3 of the herbs at a time as to not harm the rest of the plant.
THE ENTERTAINER
Quality Time Jar via Amy Latta Creations
For a thoughtful gift that will allow you and your dad to spend some quality time together, fill a jar with slips of paper that have his favorite activities written on them. Set a time every week to do one activity together. Bonus: this can be something done via facetime too!
Family Game Night Basket Plan a family game night filled with a variety of games, your family’s favorite plant-based snacks, and some delicious beverages.
THE ECO-FRIENDLY DAD
Plant a tree in their honor For the dad who says “don’t get me anything”, plant a tree in their name and give the gift of nature. Donate a value of your choosing and help protect our forests! To donate a tree, visit the National Forest Foundation website.
Stock up on organic, fair trade coffee
Our friends over at Peace Coffee make some pretty amazing coffee, all made from Fair Trade coffee beans using sustainable practices. Bonus: they’re a Minneapolis-based small business #supportlocal.
The best gift of all? Some plant-based probiotic shots! Every dad can appreciate that. To find a retailer near you, visit our store locator here.