11 Gift Ideas for Dads — Handmade, Creative and Crafty!

Are you feeling stuck about what to get for your dad? Fathers can be so tough to buy for! Here are some ideas to get your wheels turning. These are all gift ideas that can be created with items from thrift stores, which is great for us vintage lovers! 

1. DIY Picnic Basket

Turn a wicker basket or vintage suitcase into a delux picnic kit. Include salt and pepper shakers, a set of dishes, silverware, and a wine opener. Bonus points if you include a special little pickle fork or a cheese knife set! Fold or roll a small blanket or table cloth, and either include it inside or attach it to the outside of the gift. Durable wine glasses that are designed for camping might be a fun add-in, too — plus a bottle of wine, of course! If your dad enjoys outdoor concerts, trips to the park, or food old fashioned family time in nature, he’s sure to enjoy this gift.

2. Framed Family Memories

We all know that thrift stores are great places to find used frames. Why not take advantage of this by printing out some of your favorite historical family pictures? Go through old photo albums and scan a few precious photos that are sure to tug at your dad’s heart strings. Scan them into a computer, blow them up, and voila! You have a gift that your father will treasure.

3. Humorous Mug or Tee

Is your dad a funny guy? I know mine is! He loves to enjoy a good joke. If you’re feeling artistic, use a sharpie to decorate a white mug with an inside joke that you and your dad share. Does he have a funny nick-name? You could put that on a customized mug, along with a cute cartoon-version of him. Or, look for humorous mugs at your favorite second-hand haunt.

This same concept can be applied to tee shirts. Create your own joke tee, or browse stores until you find one that you know will make your dad light up every time he sees it. 

4. Vintage Tie and Cuff-links

Do you have a dad who likes to dress up on occasion? How about getting him a sweet set of tie, cuff links, and even a tie clip. Package it all together in a nice gift box. Be sure to clean and polish the cuff links first so that they look like new! Don’t buy cuff links that have chipped paint or damaged gemstones. Ideally, once cleaned they will look like new!

5. Customized Garage Organization

If you have a father who loves his ‘garage time’, this is the idea for you! Take some time to create a DIY organization system for your old man. Whether that’s turning an old wooden pallet into a place to stash rakes, hoes and shovels, or maybe a shelf complete with little tins for his screws and nails — he’s sure to love it. Snoop around the garage before creating your project, to see what spots need the most work!

6. For the  Outdoorsman

Guys love the great outdoors, right? Don’t we all! Get something that your dad can use out in nature, like a pocket knife, a flashlight, or binoculars. An atlas, gazette, or hiking book of your area would be a great idea, too!

If you can’t find anything like that at your local consignment shop, you could also get him a trinket or decor item that reminds him of time spent outside. The owl above is a great example! That way, when he’s sitting in his office he’ll be reminded of time spent hiking, bird watching, camping, and enjoying nature.

7. Comfy and Cozy

Can you knit? Dads are like the rest of us — the like to be comfy and cozy! Craft up a knit scarf, hat, or cozy mittens for those frosty mornings, and show your pop that you care. Knitting is a really special gift because it takes work and time to make the finished product. For that reason, a knitting project can be a great way to show love!

Thrift stores are great places to find yarn and knitting needles, because people who pick up the hobby and then give it up will donate their unused supplies. If you can’t knit or crochet, how about simply cutting a piece of fleece to make a nice scarf? That’s as easy as it gets, and is still a beautiful gesture of love!

8. Coffee and Tea Lover’s Gift Basket

Pick up a few mugs at the consignment shop, and use them to create a coffee or tea lovers gift basket. Include the mug, your dads favorite brew, some toppings or extras (think deluxe creamer or that special kind of sweetener he loves!).

9. Record Coat Rack

Did you know you can up-cycle old vinyls to make some neat things, like a coat rack, key rack, or clock? Think about the kind of music your dad used to rock out to, and give him a gift that will really bring back some memories for him. 

10. DIY Photo Coasters

Turn some of your favorite memories into coasters. This is a great way to let him know which memories you cherish. Was there a certain event that you experienced with him that really meant a lot to you? Print the photos of that memory, and write down the story as you remember it. 

11. Birdhouse

If you spot a birdhouse at a tag sale, estate sale, or flea market, snatch it up! A plain old bird house can be decorated to make a thoughtful gift for your dad. You could paint it like a house he once owned, one of his favorite shops, or a fictional place that you know he’ll love. Or paint the words of one of his favorite songs, quotes, or poems on the side. 

Did you come away from this post with a great idea for a gift for your dad? Let us know which item sparked your interest in the comments section below! Happy gift giving.