Frugal Father's Day - Boys Like Toys

Father's Day is this Sunday. The history and the impact of this pseudo-holiday is best left to others, but the Frugal Yankee does want lay out a few factoids.

First up, Americans lack imagination when it comes to  gifts to dads. The two most popular gifts are neckties and some tools. Gee, did you lay awake all night thinking that up?!

And dads are given short shrift in this country.  For Mother's Day, Americans spent $15 billion on gifts. For dad that number is 36% less or just under $10 Billion. And check this out, there are more collect calls on Father's Day than any other day of the year. If you're a dad and you think you're getting dissed, guess what? You are.

This is because the role of male in our culture is murky. Remember the young George Baily in ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE? (Sad note: Bob Anderson, the actor who played young George Bailey died the other day). When he had a problem, he asked dad. Today dad is that idiot who can't program a VCR, is obsessed with beer even and finds bliss with a humongous TV, but this year let's try and do better for our dads.

Here are a few tips:
    - break the stereotype
    - consider WHO your dad is and what he likes to do
    - men work hard and need diverting, consider that as well
    - men still have that boyhood curiosity and sense of adventure, tap into to it.

The Frugal Yankee has come up with some ideas for you.

Remember the best gifts come from the heart. Here are a few heartfelt yet frugal gift ideas:
    Make a video for dad. Tell a story, a memory. Burn it on a DVD It'll be cherished.
    If you don't have a video, make a CD.
    Write a poem, jot down a story, paint a painting. Do something creative. He'll remember forever.

However, some of us still want to go out and get soemthing. Since the standard gift for Father's Day is a tie, let's use that as the benchmark for some of our ideas. Here are a few gifts you could buy. For the price of a tie......

For the Frugal Dad
Buy a savings bond. You can do that on the web (http://www.savingsbonds.gov/indiv/planning/plan_gifts.htm) or at pick up one at your local bank. (Cost: 2 ties)

For the Over-Worked Dad
Give him a break. Mow the lawn, go to the dump, change the oil, shine his shoes, get the groceries (Cost: 0 ties)

For the BBQ Junkie Dad
Nothing like a new toy for the man who loves charring up large slabs of dead animal. Bus some utensils or gizmos for the grill. (Cost: 3 ties) But if tou really want impress him, get one of those stainless steel gas stoves, only 50 ties. It's trendy, it's hot and he'll think he's cool. And just as importantly, you get to eat some great food!

For the Weekend Warrior Dad
This is a bit tongue in cheek, but it could generate some laughs. Get an Easter basket and fill it with tylenol, Ben Gay, Ace Bandage, Ice/Hot Pak, and sympathy card. (Cost: 3 ties) Or various sports centers, gyms and regular masseuses now offer sports massages. These babies work those overworked and sometimes seldom used muscles. Dad will get  super relaxed. After the massage, it could be a good time to ask for the allowance increase you've been wanting. Cost: 3 1/2 ties)

For the Cultured Dad
A nice bottle of wine, tickets to a concert or perhaps a nifty bottle of single malt Scotch. I am partial to Laphroaig. ( 2 -3 ties)

For the Sports Fan Dad
Get tickets to his favorite sport and make a day of it. Is it baseball, tennis, football or even golf. You could also buy tee shirts, decals, or some other tidbit. There is a lot of merchandise out there for sports teams. Something to consider, if you're frugal, minor league baseball is affordable and lots of fun. (2 1/2 to 10 ties)
   
For the Still-A-Boy Dad
Dads are still boys and sometimes it is a good idea to remind them. Last year's The Dangerous Book for Boys  is a perfect example. For me, a great read ever three of four years is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. (2 ties)

For the Nature Boy Dad
How about fly fishing lessons from Orvis or a river rafting trip? Bring the camera and have a great time. (5 ties)

For the Geek Dad
Clocky, the alarm that runs and hides. This works for the Hard to Wake Dad as well.  Check this out, if your dad is an early riser, get him some of those slippers with with LED headlights (4 ties)

For the Eco-Dad or Survivalist Dad
This is great for camping dads or if your area is prone to power outages, a solar powered peripheral battery charger. (4 ties)

For the Hirsute Dad
A weird biological reality is men start growing hair in their nostrils. How that prepares us for hunting and gathering is beyond me, but getting rid of those bothersome follicles is a pain. Get your dad a nasal hair trimmer. He may groan, but believe he'll use it.

Remember, whatever kind of dad you have, the most important part of Father's Day is you. Show him how much you love a and care about him.


From traditional tips to savvy perspectives, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. It's all about value. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com.