by Susan Hibberd

Created on: November 15, 2009   Last Updated: November 16, 2009

Finding a Christmas gift for your Dad is one of the most difficult gift choices you will make. You want your father to have something really special, and you want it to be out of the ordinary, but he always seems to have everything!

One idea is to make something yourself, and whatever age you are, this is a great idea. Dads love to know that their son or daughter has thought about them and taken the time to make them something special. It's just a question of choosing what to make.

If you are an adult, the choices are easy. You pick something you are good at, and use those skills. You could make something for the home, for the garden, or for his favorite hobby. Consider the things your father would like, and see if you could make it yourself. Some ideas are:

*a turned wooded bowl

*some decorated storage boxes

*a hand knitted or crochet afghan throw

*a set of personalized handkerchieves

*a knitted jumper or vest

*some seating for the garden and/or seat covers

The list is endless, and it all depends on what skills you have.

If you are a youngster looking for a gift that you can make for your father, then the choices are more limited. You might not have the skills of an older person, but you still want something really special that says 'Dad, I love you'. Some ideas are:

A clock

You can buy clock mechanisms and attach them to any number of objects. You can use a plain piece of wood, or a shaped object perhaps something to do with his hobby, like a baseball bat. Alternatively, you can buy a clock, take off the mechanism, decorate the base and replace the mechanical bit.

A docorated picture frame

You can buy ready-made picture frames and decorate them with driftwood/shells/stones, leaves/twigs/, painted pasta shapes, scrunched up paper, or just paint. A picture of the two of you together make it extra-cute.

A pillow

A personalized cushion cover will keep you in your Dad's thoughts whenever he sits down to watch tv or read a book. Buy a plain cover and paint it with fabric paint or use fabric glue to appliqu fabric shapes.

Some decorated containers

Pots are always useful for putting things in. Use old tins, cardboard or wooden boxes. Cover the tins and cardboard boxes with paper first, and paint or decoupage them. Choose a theme that your Dad will appreciate, eg postage stamps.

A painted plate

Many towns now have a plate painting shop where you can go and paint your own plate design before they fire it for you. Alternatively, you can buy ceramic paints that can be fired in the oven at home. Decorate a plate or a mug with World's Best Dad.

These are just some ideas for home-made gifts that you can make at home which will be beautiful and useful for years to come.

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