3 Gifts for Dad for Free!

Awe the joys of parenthood... once you become a parent the ever so popular holidays made up by someone long ago who wanted to mom and dad how much they are loved by giving them a day devoted to just them. I am of course talking about mother's and father's day. Mom gets her day in May and dad his in June.

So in todays money crisis what's a mom or kid to do for this father's day; buy a cheap tie or make something that truly says "i love you dad, happy father's day" let's pick make something! Here i have three projects mom and the kids can make together using simple objects found around the house, the only money you'll spend is a trip to McDonald's after the kids whine about even making the gift for dad; cause you know you bribed them " come on kids we're gonna make your his father's day gift this year instead of buying it and if you all behave while doing so I'll take you to McDonald's after wards" you know I'm telling the truth!

Now that the hardest part is over let's move on to the easy part; picking out the gift to make. If dad's a office man you'll want to go with the photo frame so he will ever miss his cute Little' munchkins while swimming in his work to meet a deadline for his boss, unless dad is the boss then someone else is swimming in his work...OK let's move on. if dad likes to wear hats and has to wear a tie to work then the tie/hat rack is for him, he'll never lose either one and will proudly be displayed in his clothing closet. if you have no clue what dad does or likes you cant go wrong with a shirt; we made this project one year for my own dad and he loved it!

Ready to get started? great! below are the three gifts i mentioned, what materials are needed and how to create them. if you get lost or stuck in a step no need to worry you can print this project out so you'll have it for reference or next years' Dads' day!

Desk top photo frame
materials needed: card board, tape,marker, ruler, a favorite picture, stickers optional!
how to make: cut your cardboard into a 5x7" in square, and then a 4x8"in square. put aside. use ruler if want to exact. with tape affix your picture to the first piece of cardboard,then placing the second piece atop the first. still with,great! now with your marker write a phrase or dad's name anywhere you like. got stickers place them all around frame to make a nice border or just to add nice touch! You can color your frame too if you wish or leave brown (which most cardboard is) to match his desk. you can give dad his frame as is or wrapped in the morning newspaper. this way dad gets the latest sports scores and a gift!

Tie/hat rack
materials needed:scrap wood,nails,hammer,paint
how to make:using a sander or sandpaper sand down any rough edges of the wood to create a smooth look, picking any color of paint, of course a color dad would like. so yes stay away from red and pink with flowers! let dry after all painted, with a few nails hammer them into the rack spacing them out about 2-3' in. apart from each other. don't' like the look of nails, colored tacks they work just as good. you can add a few artiste things to the rack like "dad's tie and hat rack" or "we will always be in your mind and heart dad" ! or just add his name to show ownership. either way you decorate I'm sure dad will love this gift.

Dad day t-shirt
materials needed: a white t-shirt,fabric markers or paint and clean hands,a brown paper bag
how to make: taking a clean white shirt from dad's closet and washing the kids hands too. lay the shirt over a brown bag, as to keep the paint and markers' ink from bleeding onto your kitchen table. paint kids hands and have them randomly place them anywhere on the shirt, let dry. now write something cute and silly or just write dad's name then "kids" , example; "mike's kids" some other ideas are "worlds greatest dad to.." having written all kids names under each hand print, "happy father's day 2009" or come with your phrase and greeting to go long with dad's personality and character.

whatever you give dad this year may come from the heart! good luck and happy fathers' day!
By; Pamela black, mother of two and wife. big crafter and money pincher. 04/2009