DIY Life

For as long as I can remember, my grandpa collected dimes. Dimes, he said, because nickels were too big and he needed his quarters for spending. Father's Day is just around the corner, and that's just enough time to make Dad or Grandpa this homemade catch-all from Disney's Family Fun for all of his pocket change. It seems like dads always have stuff in their pockets, which makes this the perfect useful, yet sentimental gift from his favorite kids.

Family Fun recommends using an apple, acorn squash, or baseball for casting, because these are both the right size for this project and have a surface that's easy to cast. You can get creative with your catch-all, however, especially if the person you're giving it to has a special interest.

Once you've casted your object, it will need at least 24 hours to dry, so don't save this project for the last minute! When it's complete, you can decorate it with acrylic paints to make it a one-of-a-kind gift for that special guy.

-- Bethany Sanders

By Anna Sattler

Little ones like to get in on the action when it comes to giving gifts. As much as they like to open a present, I always watch in delight when I see how happy a child is to give a grown-up a present, especially if they made the gift.

You can watch in delight too when your child makes the perfect Father's Day desk accessory for the special dad in their life. All you need is cardboard, craft sticks, acrylic paint, glue, and alphabet foam stamps, and of course, a willing child or two. This project is geared towards younger children, so you will have to help them cut out the cardboard that is used in making the letters, and also help them with the gluing of the letters.

Dad will love his new desk accessory, but if he doesn't have a desk, the cardboard decoration will sit perfectly among pictures of his loving family at home. Best of all, he'll get a charge out of knowing that his little DIYers made the Father's Day accessory themselves, just for him.

Little ones like to get in on the action when it comes to giving gifts. As much as they like to open a present, I always watch in delight when I see how happy a child is to give a grown-up a present, especially if they made the gift.

You can watch in delight too when your child makes the perfect Father's Day desk accessory for the special dad in their life. All you need is cardboard, craft sticks, acrylic paint, glue, and alphabet foam stamps, and of course, a willing child or two. This project is geared towards younger children, so you will have to help them cut out the cardboard that is used in making the letters, and also help them with the gluing of the letters.

Dad will love his new desk accessory, but if he doesn't have a desk, the cardboard decoration will sit perfectly among pictures of his loving family at home. Best of all, he'll get a charge out of knowing that his little DIYers made the Father's Day accessory themselves, just for him.

For as long as I can remember, my grandpa collected dimes. Dimes, he said, because nickels were too big and he needed his quarters for spending. Father's Day is just around the corner, and that's just enough time to make Dad or Grandpa this homemade catch-all from Disney's Family Fun for all of his pocket change. It seems like dads always have stuff in their pockets, which makes this the perfect useful, yet sentimental gift from his favorite kids.

Family Fun recommends using an apple, acorn squash, or baseball for casting, because these are both the right size for this project and have a surface that's easy to cast. You can get creative with your catch-all, however, especially if the person you're giving it to has a special interest.

Once you've casted your object, it will need at least 24 hours to dry, so don't save this project for the last minute! When it's complete, you can decorate it with acrylic paints to make it a one-of-a-kind gift for that special guy.

Sunday is Father's Day and, yes, despite what your dad (or spouse) says, he probably does want a gift. Time to shop!

First piece of advice: skip the big box stores unless you're utterly desperate. Check out their websites and you'll see what I mean. Lowes has a pretty good Father's Day gift-finder page. You can search products based on the type of dad you have. (Lawn dads, wood-working dads, etc.) However, it's hardly inspiring stuff. Example: their suggestion for the dad who has everything? A gift card.

The Home Depot does a little better with its online gift center, but the suggestions are uniformly dull... or just plain stupid. I mean, do you know anyone who would buy dad a $699 pressure washer for Father's Day? Oh, but it's not just Home Depot and Lowes pitching dumb Father's Day gift ideas. Amazon: come on!

Before I had children, my Dad got some pretty good Father's Day gifts. Home Depot gift certificates and cool tech toys were among his favorites. When our oldest was born, 5 years ago, we started giving framed pictures instead.

As our family has grown, the photos have become more abundant, and the frames cheaper. He loves having pictures of the grandchildren, but I wanted to come up with something a bit more creative this year.

With nearly every visit to my parents' place, Grandpa takes the children up to his garden to check on the plants. My boys love to notice how Grandpa's garden is growing, and to report on the changes since their last visit. My dad loves to garden, and sharing that with his grandkids has become a sort of ritual. This Father's Day, we decided to build on that and make him a stepping stone.

After the jump, I'll tell you how we made this garden stone, and offer some tips for making your own.

The ties that bind - Dad's probably got enough neckties hanging in his closet and doesn't need another one. If you can get your hands on an old one he doesn't wear anymore -- or one you wish he didn't -- then make him a protective sleeve to fit around his hot coffee cup. As an alternative, you can always involve the kids in a making a skinny tie cake, or just send him a virtual tie to wear while he plays virtual video games.

Picture this - Even thought they might not come right out and say so, dads love to show off pictures of their family just as much as mom and grandma. We've got loads of ideas on how to package your favorite photos besides the standard wood frame from the local department store. How about a frame made from Legos, puzzle pieces, or nuts and washers?

Stylish! - If you're handy with a needle and thread or paintbrush, why not make Pop some monogrammed cufflinks or custom-painted BBQ accessories?

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Don't forget the romance - Fathers deserve to be spoiled on their special day, and we've got seven ways to romance your man and let him know that you think dads are sexy.

Offbeat ideas - This year Dad might be expecting typical gifts like golf balls and car accessories. Why not surprise him this year with an unexpected present, like a family key keeper or his very own nightlight?

New traditions - Maybe Pop is feeling like handymen are a dying breed, but you can let him know that's not the case. This year, start a new tradition based on our DIY: With Dad series. No other gift in the world will make Dad happier than spending time with his kids, even if it's just pushing a rock across the backyard.

Nothing says Happy Father's Day like a new tie, right? You can surprise the special dad in your life by presenting him with an artistically created necktie cake. A skinny necktie cake is a lot more fun to bake, frost, and embellish than shopping for the perfect tie. Everyone will enjoy this necktie -- with a little dip of ice cream -- and there will be no sense of disappointment from Dad.

MailJust4me provides simple Father's Day projects, including directions for making a necktie cake. I took liberties with their pan recommendations and used two 9 x4 bread pans. When thinking of a design, I checked out some Armani ties to see what's new.

What you need:

• 2 9x4 baked cakes or 1 large rectangular cake cut lengthwise in half
• white frosting
• food coloring
• ziplock bag
• scissors
• M & M's or other candy
• Large tray or platter to hold finished cake

Check out the gallery to see how my cake turned out, then follow me through the break for the decorating instructions.

A Dad and his grill are not soon parted -- in my family, at least. There seems to be something about a Dad and his grill. Is it the scent of the briquettes, the power of the gas flame, the charbroiled goodness?

Perhaps the bond between a Dad and his grill is one of life's unsolvable mysteries, but we do know that anything BBQ would make a great gift for Dad this Father's Day. If you can make it yourself, you've just trumped the masses.

Custom-painting a BBQ apron, mitts, and grill tools is an easy way to tell Dad you love him -- and his hobby -- and it is something you can do with the kids. You'll need a canvas apron, solid-colored oven mitts, and wood-handled BBQ tools, like a long-handled fork or spatula. Some fabric and acrylic paints round out the list.

You can paint anything that says, "I love you Dad," and makes the keepsake gifts something special for him. Happy painting!

As a man, getting up and going to the bathroom in the dark is much better than turning on blazing lights to do the same thing. Of course, there is the problem of missing the bowl. That's where this little built night light for the toilet by Robbtoberfest (me) at Instructables comes in handy.

Lift the seat and it shines a dim red light into the bowl, just enough for aiming, but not so bright that it ruins night vision. Drop the seat and it automatically turns off. A good gift for Father's day -- or any "man day" occasion.

You'll find the instructions after the break!

If you have a family, you're probably in a state of constant chaos, and romancing your man might not rank high on your list of things to do. You've spent hours coordinating your children, and helping them make monogrammed cuff links and hand print crafts. They'll present these to Daddy first thing Sunday morning, and you'll all enjoy a family day, celebrating Dad.

When the day comes to a close, and the kids are tucked in, don't retire to your separate laptops... instead, turn up the heat, and spend a little time letting him know how appreciated he is. This isn't about modeling sexy lingerie (though I'm sure that would be a welcomed surprise!) or buying him expensive concert tickets. It's Father's Day, so spend some time reflecting on the wonderful ways that he contributes to the family, and thanking him for being such a great parenting partner.

So, what does a dad find romantic? I surveyed some of the men in my life, and it turns out they are pretty easy to please. So many dads are busy balancing work and family that all they really want is a little break.

After the jump, I'll share some husband-certified ways to spoil him this Father's Day.

My husband is always hesitant to let me use his keys, probably because I'm usually borrowing his because my own are lost. I assure him I can't possible lose his keys while I am using them (it's only once I get home that they disappear), but he's unconvinced.

In our house, it's me who always misplaces the keys. But if your husband or partner is the one who's careless with their keys, then a family key keeper might just make the perfect Father's Day present. Not only will it help him keep track of his keys -- guaranteed to make mornings much easier! -- but it'll remind him of what's important each day, as he looks upon the faces of his family.

I'll tell you more about this project after the break.

Father's Day is a special day for all dads who get to spend one day doing whatever they wish, even if that is nothing. Dads need to know that they are just as wonderful as moms, so it is important to give them a special gift that comes straight from the heart, and I don't mean a duct tape wallet.

Sometimes guys don't like to dress up, but you can make it easier for them with the perfect Father's Day gift. Monogrammed cuff links are sure to be a big hit with Dad, so head over to the purl bee to find Molly's awesome tutorial, complete with step by step pictures of the cutest handcrafted cuff links.

Molly found her cuff links on sale for under $20. At that price, you may want to get a few pair to make dad some extra special gifts throughout the year.

(Don't forget: the perfect tie for Father's Day could be monogrammed, too.)

I have always loved giving photographs as gifts. In my young and single days, I'd elegantly frame my own photographs of landscapes, flowers, or architecture. Now, people get pictures of my kid. He's pretty cute, so it works out on all fronts, but I think the gift is most appreciated when the photograph comes with a classy frame, made by you.

Every Dad needs pictures of his kids at the office, right? For this cute "Dad" frame, all you need is some oaktag or poster board, scissors and glue. The holes in the letters D-A-D frame photos of your kids -- cute! Martha Stewart has a similar project with a template for the D-A-D.

A rustic photo frame made from twigs can go with just about any decor, from country to modern. Using twigs, twine and a little glue, you can make one is a few short minutes. You could frame your child, but this type of frame would also look nice around a woodland landscape that is somehow meaningful to the recipient.