Clutter-Free Father’s Day Gifts

Nancy Twigg

When choosing a gift for the special father on your list, you want to choose thoughtfully to ensure that your gift does not add to the problem of household clutter. This article contains a collection of non-cluttering gift ideas.
Father’s Day can present a gift-giving challenge because most dads have more than enough of everything they need. In fact, they often have too much of everything. They really don’t need another gadget or gizmo to clutter their homes.

To make matters worse, if the men in our lives do truly need or want something, they tend to bypass the step of dropping hints to family members and simply buy the item themselves. This tendency makes it difficult for spouses and children to give them gifts they will truly use.

When choosing a gift for the special father on your list, you want to choose thoughtfully to ensure that your gift does not add to the problem of household clutter. Below you will find some non-cluttering gift ideas. These clutter-free gift ideas fall into two basic categories. The first is Consumable Gifts; these are items that get eaten or used up so they do not sit around collecting dust. The other category is Gifts of Experience. These gifts that are not really things at all, but rather good times for Dad to enjoy.

As you look over the suggestions below, you will see that most of these ideas are practical items that almost everyone can use and enjoy. Remember, however, that even a consumable gift can become clutter if it is not something the recipient will actually consume. Put some thought into your gift so that you can be reasonably sure Dad will put it to good use. While some of these gift ideas are more expensive than others, surely you will find ideas to fit everybody and every budget.

* Personal Care Products – Shaving lotion, cologne, after shave, shaving supplies such as disposable razors or razor blades

* Food Gifts – Chocolate, fruit and nuts, flavored coffees and teas, wine or liqueur, specialty meats and cheeses, cheesecake, gourmet sauces and condiments

* Household Items – Pen and mechanical pencil set, long distance phone cards, a new garden hose or sprinkler, gardening tools or gloves

* Miscellaneous Consumable Gifts – Birdseed, plants or flowers for garden, newspaper or magazine subscriptions, computer software

* Gift Certificates – Restaurants, department stores, movie theater, home improvement stores, garden centers, specialty stores, hobby shops

* Memberships/Season Passes – YMCA or health club, zoo, aquarium, art museum, opera or symphony, botanical gardens

* Tickets – Concerts, theater productions, seminars, sporting events, exhibits, state fairs, workshops, training classes

About the Author

Nancy Twigg is the editor of Counting the Cost, a free email newsletter about simple and frugal living. She is also the author of the new book, Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions. To learn more about living simply or celebrating simply, visit Nancy online at www.countingthecost.com