12 of Our Best Handmade Father's Day Gifts

By Alexandra Churchill
Updated April 21, 2020
Credit: Lennart Weibull
This Father's Day, surprise Dad with a special DIY gift.
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Credit: Ryan K Liebe

What do you give the man who gave you everything? For Father's Day this year, present him with a gift that honors his past, celebrates the present, and will carry poignant meaning into his future. Does finding that gift sound like a tall task? We're here to make it easier. In order to offer a gift so personalized to Dad, we believe it's best made with your own two hands, and we're sharing all of the inspiration you need to get the job done.

Celebrated on the third Sunday in June, Father's Day is a time for us to show love and gratitude to our dads. Whether you're detailing a masterpiece weeks out or looking to change plans last minute, we have handmade gift ideas for guys of every personality and interest. Is he a gourmand? Gift him with a custom set of gourmet snacks (using our printable clip-art labels). Is he sentimental? Gift him with a DIY family tree full of familiar keepsakes. Is he a photog? He'll adore a set of office accessories printed with snapshots of his favorite memories. Or make decoupaged rocks featuring your favorite shared moments for the perfect paperweight. By printing the images on thin textured rice paper, they take on a naturally weathered, vintage look. Is he a self-defined trendsetter? He'll jump to the occasion to wear a necktie by his favorite artisan (that artisan being you).

All of these ideas will offer more than fleeting happiness—instead, it will give him a tangible sign of your bond. Just like those grade-school drawings, these are the handmade tokens that he will display with pride.

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"Nuts and Bolts" Snacks

Credit: Raymond Hom
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Make Dad this "nuts and bolts" cereal snack mix that has a blend of savory seasonings and spices. Package this homemade treat in a tin lined with parchment and top it off with our printable clip-art.

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Embroidered "Secret Message" Necktie

Credit: Lennart Weibull
Get the Embroidered "Secret Message" Necktie How-To

Belts and ties are the coin of the realm for Father's Day, but they don't have to fly right off the store rack straight into the gift box. Add your own personality to the package by embroidering Dad's first or last initial on this year's tie.

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Photo Glassware

Credit: Linda Pugliese

A day at the beach, camping in the woods, your first family trip—turn his favorite memories into a tabletop set of mementos.

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Decoupaged Paper Weights

Credit: Linda Pugliese

Dad taught you this early on: Rock art, well, rocks. These decoupaged rocks make for the perfect paper weight on Dad's desk. By printing the images on thin textured rice paper, the image takes on a naturally weathered, vintage look.

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Denim Tech Sleeve

Credit: Ryan K Liebe
Get the Denim Tech Sleeve How-To

Is he a full-blown cybernaut? No use in changing his ways: Nestle his tablet inside this customized sleeve. It's felt-lined and durable with a cool twine and leather closure.

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Family Tree in a Glass Dome

Consider this a unique twist on the family tree: An assortment of inherited keepsakes—from his grandfather's spectacles to your baby christening spoon—takes on a cohesive, deliberate look that's almost Victorian when encased in a delicate glass dome.

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Personalized Desk Supplies

Credit: Linda Pugliese

For Dad's world travels, a set of personalized supplies will remind him of where he's been and where he's headed. Little canvas cases with iron-on images make excellent holders for passports as well as for mementos like ticket stubs and his business cards.

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Menswear-Inspired Gift Packages

Credit: Raymond Hom

Instead of gift-boxing a tie this year, why not tie a gift box? Bow ties fit around small gifts—like his favorite chocolate truffles—and both the traditional and pre-tied kinds will work.

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Map Artwork

Credit: Yunhee Kim
Get the Map Artwork How-To

Transform a map from Dad's favorite vacation spot, childhood home, or the hand-stitched route of your family trip last summer into a framed keepsake.

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Father's Day Tee-Time Cupcakes

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Present Dad with a bunch of golf-themed cupcakes, complete with putting greens and sand traps, on his special day.

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Keepsake Book Box

Credit: Aaron Dyer

What could be more of a surprise than a book that opens to reveal treasures and trinkets inside? This wooden box, available at local crafts stores, can be custom-painted to mimic his favorite vintage hardcover.

Shop Now: Artminds Wooden Book Box, $6.49, michaels.com; Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint, in assorted colors, $2.49, michaels.com.

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Leather Luggage Tag

Credit: Anna Williams
Get the Leather Luggage Tag How-To

Luggage tags are a natural gift choice for any dad that likes to travel. Achieve a timeless look by cutting out leather and embossing it with his name. You'll have so much fun making these, you'll want to make one for every member of the family.

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By Alexandra Churchill