ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Instead of supporting the overconsumerism, how about showing Dad you love him with a truly sustainable gift.  

Traditionally, gifts are given by children to their fathers, but does Dad really need another silk tie? According to The Green Guide, more than half of dads say they've never received a "good" gift, and the average cost of a Father's Day gift is $89.00. There are plenty of green, eco gifts available to buy Dad. These gifts don't require you to buy Dad anything, but to spend time with him.

Here are some green gift ideas:

Gift Coupons give the gift of time and love, get the children to help make up your own coupons with what your Dad's interest are eg mow the lawn, walk the dog, breakfast in bed, picnic in the park, visit the library, museum, art exhibition, movies etc

Gift certificates for a year's car wash, at their favourite eco car wash

We can’t get enough of all the new sun-powered gadgets out there. Solar rechargers are both functional and hip.

Fishing lures made from old bottle caps really work.

Donate to a charity in Dad’s name. You’ll help non-profits that are helping the planet, and keep stuff Dad doesn’t need from clogging his closets, or worse, landfills.

Online gift certificates are always a safe bet, and you’ll save wrapping paper to boot.

Framing that “great photo of you and Dad,” or “Dad and the fish,” and top if off with a handwritten, heartfelt message, either in a corner of the photo, or on the back of the frame.

Take care of some chore(s) around the house — mow the lawn, replace incandescent light bulbs with eco friendly options — simple stuff that will mean the world. If you live away from dad, purchase gift certificates to have the lawn mowed.

Grill and Chill — prepare Dad's favourite meal and kick back with an organic cool one on the deck. Pump up the Rat Pack tunes, and reminisce about a few of your favourite times spent together.

Give a unique experience - gift box of his favourite foods / drinks / photo album of past memories / write letters of all your favourite memories.

Make something / get the children to help you, here are some suggestions:

Child's Hand Print

Mix 1/2 cup salt, 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil, and 1/4 cup water in a large bowl; when mixed add 1 cup organic flour and knead well.

Form dough into a softball-sized shape and roll out with a rolling pin. Press your child's hand into the clay (with fingers spread).

Bake at 250 degrees F. for several hours. After it's cooled your child can paint her handprint using acrylic paint. Label the handprint with your child's name, age, year the handprint was created, etc. You can also etch into the clay before baking something like "Hands down best Dad", "Handy Dad", etc.

Placemats

Have your child draw a picture, color a design, or write a poem to dad on a heavy piece of 8 x 1/2" x 11" cardboard. Place the finished product between two sheets of clear contact paper. Use the placemat to serve dad his next meal, maybe Father's Day breakfast in bed.

Photo Cube

Take 6 x 3 1/2" floppy disks. Lay one disk face down and glue four disks (one disk to each side) and glue the last disk on the top to make a box. Cut 5 pieces of construction paper so they fit on the floppy disk, leaving the metal at the bottom exposed. Cut out 5 photographs of family members so they are the same size as the construction paper. Use double-stick tape to attach one picture to each piece of construction paper and then use the double-stick tape to tape one picutre onto each side and onto the top floppy. This makes a nice gift for dad to have on his desk at work.

Bake something special, pie with "We love Daddy" or using refrigerated organic bread dough, have your child make different shapes with the bread such as braids, hearts, circles, maybe spell out "DAD", "#1 DAD", etc. Bake the creations according to the package instructions. These fresh-out-of-the-oven creations can be served to dad as part of breakfast in bed on Father's Day.

Don't sweat the gift-aspect just let Dad know that you’re thinking of him, and you love him. Enjoy the day, and celebrate Dad with your heart, however you know best.

Dates

The officially recognized date of Father's Day varies from country to country, some significant examples: