Shopping for parents or parental figures is considered tricky by most; “don’t worry about getting me anything” and “Just spending some time with you would be enough” are typical quotes when discussing the day of celebration with parents. Nonetheless, children of all ages often want to give a gift to their parent as a token of appreciation.
Where did Father’s Day come from?
As far as traditions go, Father’s Day is hardly beyond infancy. The first true Father’s Day, as we now know it, was founded in the United States – celebrated for the first time in 1910. There had, however, been celebrations of fatherhood and paternal influence in alignment with Saint Joseph’s Day. This was largely centred throughout Europe, thought to have been celebrated way back in the middle ages.
Father’s Day Themes
When looking for gifts or cards for Father’s Day, you’ll find four recurring themes: beer, BBQ, golf & cars. What if your Dad doesn’t like these things? If you can’t rely on generic themes, or find them considerably lacklustre, you may find yourself scouring the web for Father’s Day gift ideas – many of which cost a fortune.
Lots of booze, lots of food, and not much else… This popular online gift retailer offer little variety even in their menu images for Father’s Day Gifts. For a site which offers gift inspiration, there isn’t much advertised here which isn’t already present everywhere else.
Where do I start?
Realistically, shopping for a Father figure should be no different to shopping for a Mother Figure. Yet, searches for Mother’s Day are ranking higher than Father’s Day on Google year on year. Is this because there are seemingly less gift ideas for dad?
- Consider your budget. If there’s one thing a father will want, it’ll be for you to not spend all of your money on them.
- Think about their hobbies. What do they really like – like, really truly like?
- Consider the power of personal. Sure, you could always buy something quick off the shelf. Instead, consider how you can bring your connection and shared interests into the ideal gift.
- Be prepared. You don’t want a last-minute dash to get the gift. If you leave it late, you’ll likely struggle more.
Add value
Whether you’re both fans of funny or if Dad has a soft spot for sentimental, you want to opt for something which is emotionally valuable. If you’re buying a gift for someone who has everything, there’s even more reason to get something which is unique to you both. An upgrade of their most commonly used items is a great start, as you know that it is something which they would genuinely enjoy using. Upgrades don’t need to cost the earth though, having a better product and paying designer prices don’t need to go hand in hand.
Consider what is used daily, and think about how you can get a better version of this. Do they drink a lot of coffee? A new mug may be in the running. Gifting any old mug would be cliche, but you don’t have to give them any old mug. A personalised mug with a photo of your last trip together or your graduation photo will remind them of great times shared while they’re going about their daily routine.
Practical doesn’t need to be boring when it comes to gifts. If the person you are buying for is always forgetting their appointments, invest in a personalised calendar to gently add a little more organisation into their life. Extra points if you choose a close-up of your own face for your birthday month as a (slightly jarring) reminder! Calendars don’t need to be seasonal gifts. With personalised photo calendars, you can choose which month to start with. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to give a calendar which is already half-redundant.
Don’t forget the card
The humble greeting card: such a cornerstone in occasions that sometimes they can slip the mind. What’s so important about a single folded piece of card, anyway? The thought is the importance. Often, we find it difficult to communicate our love and appreciation for somebody. Cards give you space to let Dad know that he is loved and appreciated without needing to awkwardly force it into a conversation.
Creating your own message inside a card will provide the recipient with something that they can go back and read for a little lift whenever they like. Creating your own design for the front is another way to deviate from cliché imagery and show how much you understand them. Cards which don’t rely on heavy Father’s Day messaging, and instead opt for something personal, are a timeless token of your own sentiment which can be read again and again and again. Once the card is received, the recipient can keep it displayed for however long they like, rather than limiting it to a single weekend.
Consider flowers – yes, really!
For mother’s day, the sale of flowers absolutely skyrockets, yet the same can’t be said for father’s day. Flowers are a gesture of love which also look beautiful – who wouldn’t want that? According to the Society of American Florists, 60% of men would like to receive flowers. Had you considered this?
If you think that giving a floral arrangement for father’s day may be a little controversial, try to have a think about what kind of flower would be the best received gesture. The official flower for Father’s Day is a rose!
Try to opt for something a little hardier than a delicate pastel arrangement; bold shapes, textures and colours will help to leave a positive impression. Something impactful like Sunflowers or Birds of Paradise are sure to compliment any interior decor. If you think that a bouquet may be pushing it a little far, there’s always the reliable houseplant to consider. Succulents, orchids and peace lilies are timeless home accents which require varying degrees of care – so be sure to check this out before making your selection.
Did you know…
That it is easy to build a business which offers personalised photo products? You don’t need to be a professional printer – source your printing elsewhere and reap the benefits of personal print. If you’re interested in creating a photo personalisation business, or considering adding it as a profitable sidearm to your current business, get in touch to discuss how we could benefit you. We’re experts in the field.