Frugal Gift Ideas for Dad This Father’s Day

By the author of  An Arm and a Leg, and Zombie Choices.

Father’s Day is coming up, and you want to show your old man via gift that you love him, but there’s one problem – you’re completely strapped on your finances. If you’re going to get your dad anything, it’s going to have to be a budget-friendly option. So, what are some frugal gift ideas for dad that he’ll actually like?

Here are a few options to consider…

Baofeng UV-5R

If your dad is into engineering, radio, or backpacking, he may enjoy a UV-5R. This is a ham radio, so he won’t legally be allowed to transmit on it unless he has a license, but your giving this to him may be the initiative he needs to start a new hobby.

Even if he decides he’s never going to get his license, he’ll still be able to listen to broadcast FM on this as well while he’s out in the woods.

Kobalt 13-in-1 Screwdriver

There’s nothing like having the right tool for the job. You can jerry-rig stuff sometimes with a tool that will get the job done, but having the right tool makes the task so much easier/pleasant. And of all the tools out there that a guy regularly uses, a screwdriver is one of the most commonly used ones.

Kobalt makes good tools that are inexpensive. You can find them throughout “Tool World” at your local Lowe’s, but this is a Kobalt tool that will save your dad a bit of time searching through his toolbox for the right screwdriver.

Coffee

Coffee is one of those gifts that every coffee drinker out there will love. Why? Because you always need more! If you’re going to buy your dad coffee, though, make sure that you’re buying him a solid brand that not only tastes good but doesn’t hate his country as well. For that, I highly recommend Disaster Coffee. It’s the most pro-American coffee brand that I know of.

A Patriot’s History of the United States

Does your dad like to read a lot? Here’s a book that he will thoroughly enjoy. There’s no revisionism inside, and it’s a solid book written by solid men that will serve as a breath of fresh air. That being said, though, if your dad really likes to read, a book makes a great gift. It doesn’t have to be this one. Just spend a bit of time at your local book store and find what reminds you of him.

Throwing tomahawks

There’s not a guy out there that wouldn’t think a set of throwing tomahawks is cool. Testosterone courses through our veins, and we’re wired to like danger. That’s just the way it is. Get your dad a few of these, and he can pretend he’s Mel Gibson as he practices his throws on the tree in the backyard.

Hollowpoint ammunition

You can typically pick up a box of hollowpoint 9mm ammunition for around $25 at your local gun store. Really, any kind of ammunition would make a great gift for dad, but odds are that he has a 9mm pistol. You can always use more hollowpoints, so this is a great utilitarian gift that will help your dad to do one of the things that he wants most: to protect his family.

Rifle/pistol magazines

I’m talking about what you put bullets (cartridges, I know) in, not what you read. While it depends on the gun and the make of the magazine, you may be able to pick up 2-3 rifle magazines for $30. For pistols, you’ll probably only be able to pick up one magazine. You can never have too many magazines, though.

Rite in the Rain Notebooks

You can pick three of these up for pretty cheap, but what they do is allow your dad to take notes no matter what the weather is. If he spends a lot of time outside splitting wood, working with animals, or running deliveries, he may wish that he had something that he could keep in his pocket to easily make himself notes on. These are a great way to do so.

With the right pen, you can write on these even if it’s raining, and the ink won’t get smeared all over the pages.

Cold Steel knives

These are the best knives out there as far as I’m concerned. Aside from being virtually indestructible, they’re incredibly affordable as well. Every guy out there likes knives, so this is an easy gift that your dad will love.

Beginner’s Lockpicking Set

Why do people like lockpicking? Because it has an air of danger and mystery to it. As we’ve already pointed out, men’s hearts are wired for both danger and adventure. Getting your dad a beginner’s lockpicking set fits the bill for both of those inherent traits.

If the above gifts don’t feel like a good fit, remember the below!

Danger and adventure. I’m telling you. That is what you need to remember. Your dad is a man. If you go into your shopping with those two words kept at the forefront of your mind, you will not go wrong. This is true across the board.

The above gifts are all within that realm. (“And the coffee?” “Psssh, have you ever messed with your dad before he’s had his morning coffee? It’s dangerous.”)

Pick something with that in mind, and you’ll do just fine.

What are your thoughts on other gift ideas for your dad? Help your other gift-seekers out and let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section below.

About Aden

Aden Tate is a regular contributor to TheOrganicPrepper.com and TheFrugalite.com. Aden runs a micro-farm where he raises dairy goats, a pig, honeybees, meat chickens, laying chickens, tomatoes, mushrooms, and greens. Aden has four published books, The Faithful Prepper,  An Arm and a Leg, The Prepper’s Guide to Post-Disaster Communications, and Zombie Choices. You can find his podcast The Last American on Preppers’ Broadcasting Network.