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Mendo Lake Family Life

DIY Presents for Pops

May 28, 2019 02:31PM ● By Donna Production
By Meagan Ruffing

Father’s Day is the perfect time to tell your partner just how much he means to you. With the right kind of planning, it can be a day filled with memories to last a lifetime. If money is an issue, no worries. These 11 simple tips won’t cost you a penny—and the best part about them? They’re 100 percent homegrown and super easy.

1. Serve breakfast in bed. Raid your fridge and whip up your sweetie something good to eat, and then have your kids deliver it to him.

2. Make handprint cards. Grab the finger-paints and construction paper and have your kids go to town on a card for Dad.

3. Create a paperweight. The next time you’re out for a walk, have your child collect pebbles for the art project described at the end of story.

4. Let him sleep in. What’s better than getting a few extra Zzzs?

5. Text a picture. Does Dad have to work on his special day? No problem. Take a photo of your kids holding a sign that has their artwork on it. Send it to him in a text to let him know that you’re thinking of him.

6. Write a love letter. Make a list or, better yet, write a letter to your partner telling him exactly why you love him. Is it the way he tucks in your son at night? Or is it because he and your daughter look just alike? Sometimes the smallest reminders can mean the most to your main man.

7. Compose love notes. Grab the post-its and write a bunch of sweet things to stick in areas that you know your partner will be. Does he shave every morning? Stick a note to the bathroom mirror that says, “You’re the best father ever.” Does he always put the same pair of slippers on? Stick a message inside them that says, “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”

8. Jam out. Have your kids gather all of their instruments and work on a little jam session. Once you’ve got a beat down (or something close to it), call Dad into the room and play for him your special song. This one is sure to get some good laughs!

9. Clean the car. If Dad is on the go as much as everyone else on the planet, he probably has a car that could use a little TLC. Grab the kids and make it a family affair. One child can vacuum the car mats while the other wipes down the windows. If you have a child that is too young to really help, let her or him sit in the front seat (with the keys out of reach) and pretend to “drive the wheel.” Your kids will get a kick out of doing “big kid” things, and your partner will enjoy his clean ride.

10. Cook up a scavenger hunt. Kids love them. Hide clues that lead to the final prize: a coupon for Dad’s favorite homemade dinner. 

Make a Paperweight
¼ cup salt
½ cup flour
¼ cup water
Bowl
Cookie sheet
Tiny rocks or pebbles

Mix first three ingredients together in bowl. Roll into a ball and then flatten out dough until it is about ½ inch thick. Place pebbles in dough to spell out “Dad Rocks.” Press firmly but not too hard. Bake at 250ºF for 2–2½ hours. Let cool on cookie sheet.

Visit Meagan Ruffing at meaganruffing.com and sign up for her free monthly newsletter. Like her on Facebook @writermeaganruffing.