I’ve had a couple of requests for ideas on Father’s Day gifts that don’t cost very much.
Kathy R. from Pueblo wrote me, “My two boys have saved up $3 each to buy their father a gift. We are on such a tight budget, I can’t give them any extra money due to medical expenses and just having enough money to put food on the table.” She went on to add that the boys (4 and 6) made homemade cards but wanted to “go to the store and buy daddy something.”
Kathy’s message reminded me that being on a “budget” can really vary from household to household. We posted an earlier story on gifts for $30 and less but for some, $30 is needed for food or utilities and totally not in the budget for gifts. Of course the boy’s dad would love just the card and not expect anything else but I could envision these two little boys with their dollar bills they’ve saved, clutched in their little hands, wanting to shop for daddy. I can remember taking my own son shopping when he was little and pointing out which items he could buy and which ones he couldn’t, based on prices. With $3 each, most stores aren’t going to have much to choose from. And even though l don’t know these boys, don’t know the family, I couldn’t get the image of these two kids out of my mind, thinking they were “rich” with those three dollar bills. I imagined their little faces as they might walk through a store, eyes lighting up at all the treasures they could buy, only to be told, “we can’t afford that honey.” (And again, with the amount they have, that’s what they would hear over and over.)
So I headed over to our Dollar Tree, where everything is a dollar, and scoured the aisles to see what I could find. I tried to think of what my son enjoyed doing with his dad when he was that age and how I could work it around the merchandise the store had to offer. Then I messaged Kathy to make sure they owned a car (which they do) and came up with a few ideas.
CAR WASH FUN WITH DAD….
Most little boys I know (and girls) love the water. And at younger ages, they really like to “help”. The Dollar Tree had a ton of car washing supplies the boys could buy for their dad and then help him wash the car…building memories and having fun.
This Microfiber 2 In 1 Cleaning Towel is reusable with one side cleaning glass and the other side cleaning surfaces.
This Car Duster is also reusable, can be tossed in the washing machine and is perfect for dusting the interior.
This CD/DVD visor organizer holds 20 CD’s or DVD’s and protects them from sunlight, dust and scratches.
You can find Elite car products at a lot of different stores but they’ll cost more. At the Dollar Tree, this Elite Auto Car sponge only costs $1.
When I saw this tire gauge I thought, not only is it useful, but I could picture “dad and the boys” leaning down together, testing the tires and then perhaps driving to the gas station and filling the tires.
Car wash, leather & vinyl spray, wheel and tire cleaner….$1 each.
Yes, it’s only a bucket but what a great way to package the car wash supplies in and a handy way to store them.
And even though Kathy just wanted some ideas, we’ve offered to gift all the car products, cutely packaged in the bucket, to her boys; that they can tell dad they “won” for him.
MORE DOLLAR FINDS….
A beer or soda cozy/koozie will help keep dad’s drink cold. Lots of different ones to choose from.
The Dollar Tree had lots of different colors and patterns to choose from if dad needs a tie.
This travel mug keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold and is dishwasher safe. Lots of different colors and styles to choose from. If this is from a child, they could write a little note or letter to dad and put it in the mug.
Let your child pick out a picture to put in this Dad frame.
Besides these finds, there’s also dress socks, hankies, men’s grooming products, books, and other items you could find at a dollar store appropriate for dad. One of my favorite mother’s day gifts I received from my son when he was little was a Snicker’s Bar….he knew that was my favorite candy and that’s what he had his heart set on buying for me!
Most dads I know appreciate a card, whether homemade or store-bought and a simple “I love you”. Spending the day just hanging out, maybe cooking dad’s favorite treat or making a present for him are all great ideas and we can teach our children that it’s the “thought that counts” more than the actual price of a gift. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting to buy dad something and when money’s tight, dollar stores can help your kids find something they think dad will love!