DIY Father’s Day Gift Ideas – With Free Printable Template

When is UK Father’s Day 2022?

Father's Day 2022 will be celebrated on Sunday, 19 June. Each year, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June in both the UK and the United States. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Where does Father’s Day come from?

Celebrations for Father’s Day in the UK are thought to have been inspired by early American customs – where it has been celebrated in the second half of June since 1910. 

The American Father’s Day was reputedly first marked on 5 July, 1908 in West Virginia – also the birthplace of Mother’s Day – by Grace Clayton, who had recently lost her father in a mining accident.

Two years later, Sonora Dodd organised a more widespread Father’s Day commemoration that took place across churches in Washington. Initially planned for the 5th of June – her father’s birthday – she had to delay celebrations until the third Sunday of the month to give local pastors the chance to prepare their sermons. ⛪

Enthusiasm ebbed and flowed over the next 40 years with several attempts to have the holiday formally adopted going unrecognised. Eventually though, its date was officially designated by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966, with his successor Richard Nixon signing it into law as a national holiday six years later. 

Father’s Days around the world

Although the US Father’s Day format has many international subscribers, Father’s Day celebrations vary greatly around the world! 🌍

Those following Catholic traditions such as Spain and Italy, observe Father’s Day on 19 March – the Feast of St Joseph as the legal father of Jesus Christ – with their ‘Dia del Padre’ and ‘Festa del Papa’ respectively. Meanwhile, Germany marks Father’s Day on Ascension Day in May or June, 40 days after Easter.

Several countries in the Middle East link Father’s Day with the summer solstice – celebrating on 21 June, while Brazilians look to Saint Joachim, the patron saint of fathers to honour all dads on the second Sunday of August. ☀️

In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5 December – the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is considered the Father of the Nation. And lastly, Russia celebrates ‘Man’s Day’ on 23 February – Defender of the Fatherland Day – marking the first mass draft into the Red Army. 👑

Five DIY Father’s Day gifts

Nothing says you care like spending time crafting a gift with your own bare hands. Check out our top five DIY Father's Day gift ideas and get ready for some fun Father’s Day crafts! 🎨

#1 Official certificate

Check out our super cool ‘best dad’ certificate – just print it out and personalise it – it's the perfect DIY Father's Day gift! Just fill in the boxes and take this opportunity to tell your dad what you love and him most and what you want to say thank you for. He’ll be so pleased that you’ve taken the time to really think about him. Click the button to download. 👇

#2 Something sweet

When it comes to homemade gifts for dad, chocolate truffles will put a smile on anyone's face – and they're so easy to make – all you need is dark chocolate, double cream and butter. There are plenty of cooking websites with recipes online and – if you want to go one step further – we recommend decorating a box or tin with paper, paints or stickers to present them in. 🍫

#3 Fimo keychain

Make something that your dad can carry around with him every day. Crafting a shape or design out of Fimo couldn't be easier – there is even Fimo that doesn't have to harden in the oven. FIMOair dries at room temperature and FIMOair light in the microwave. All you need is a flat surface, a small straw to make a hole and a spare keyring. What’s your dad’s favourite thing? We think stars, cars, animals and letters work really well. 🔑

#4 Colourful coasters

If your dad's into wine, beer, or plain old lemonade, he'll appreciate some beautiful, handmade drinks coasters. All you need is a polymer clay kit, acrylic paint and some artistic licence – that's it. Once you’ve rolled out your clay and cooked your coasters in the oven, you can move on to decoration! Then, after a final glaze, they’ll be ready to go. 🍺

#5 Scented shaving oil

Does your dad sport a moustache or a beard? Or perhaps he likes to go for the clean-shaven look? Either way, he’ll love moisturising his skin with your handmade, scented shaving oil. All you need to do is add your favourite combinations of essential oils to a base of grapeseed and olive oil. It's natural, unique and it should last for months too. 🧔

Simple ways to make Father’s Day special

Sure, homemade gifts for dad will always go down well, but the best way to celebrate Father’s Day is to spend some quality time together. Take a look at our favourite dad-friendly activities and plan to make some fabulous new memories this weekend. 😍

#1 Cook together 

Whether your dad is a dab hand in the kitchen or not, cooking together is a great way to connect on Father’s Day – and you get a tasty meal to enjoy at the end of it too – it's win-win. Tackle his favourite dish or pick out a new recipe together, grab the ingredients put on our favourite music and go. It can be big or small, sweet or savoury – the world is your oyster – just enjoy the process. 🧑‍🍳

#2 Strike a pose

Everyone’s an artist! What better way to focus on your dad than studying his face?! Take an A4 sheet of paper, divide it into four or six, sit opposite each other and give yourself 10 minutes to draw one another. You can use paints, pencils, pens, pastels – whatever you've got on hand. After an hour you’ll each have several small portraits. If you like them, you can frame them all together – a beautiful memento of this day. 

#3 Family tree fun

How often do you ask your parents what they were like when they were your age? What more can they tell you about your grandparents? Have a look through old family albums and ask your dad to describe his youth. You might be surprised by what you learn and if you enjoy yourself, maybe you and your dad can go on to map out your family tree together in more detail in the future. Show your dad that you care about him and where he’s come from. 👪