Join our newsletter and be the first to hear all the latest! Learn More

This Family Blog

Explore America

Home / American Seasons & Holidays / American Holiday Traditions / 7 Father’s Day Gifts that are Unique and Meaningful

7 Father’s Day Gifts that are Unique and Meaningful

American Holiday Traditions, Family, Gift Guides, Summer

This year for Father’s Day, give a meaningful gift that celebrates your dad and the long line of dads he comes from.

Fathers and Grandfathers have always held a special role in families. Traditionally, fathers set the rules and enforce them. This can make for a tumultuous relationship with a child. But fathers also provide security. Kids want to make their father’s proud and a father, wants nothing more than to be proud.

In this family, our fathers are the rocks! They are the captains of the family and steer our adventures! They are also totally outnumbered and put up with a lot of girl shenanigans.

This Father’s Day is a great day to find a unique gift that honors his place in the family and a meaningful way to say thank you for putting up with us 🙂

The things Josh puts up with….

For the Explorer: Maps

Guys like maps! At least they do in this family…Vintage Maps or even antique maps are a great way to chart out the pathways of forefathers over time. It’s a simple piece to hang on a wall but can become interactive with push pins and string. A creatively visual way to honor the journeys of your ancestors… all the dads that have made it possible to be here today!

Push Pin Travel Maps

For the Know it All: DNA Test

What do you get the guy who knows everything? (Because Dad’s would like you to believe they do know everything)

A window to his past. DNA testing can reveal some fascinating information and will for sure spark some really fun conversation. In our family we’ve learned about blood lines we didn’t know we had. It’s also really fun to compare results with various family members.

Be prepared… you might find more then you bargain for! I mean, we found a whole new aunt and cousin!

Ancestry DNA, Family Tree DNA, 23 and Me, Living DNA, My Heritage

For the Proud One: Family Tree

OK so this is another really cool thing to hang on the wall! It’s storytelling larger than life. There are so many classy ways to display things now a days. And you can control the narrative! You can showcase the whole family tree-back to when they crossed the ocean blue or you can trace a specific line like to the Mayflower. I saw one really cool chart that maps all the lines back to to American Revolution so in once glance it was easy to see how many people fought as Patriots. I’m totally doing this one for our family!! (28 patriots and counting!)

Family Chartmasters, Free Templates for Kids to Do

For the Patriot: Heritage T Shirts

Dads always need a T shirt. It’s a staple of the Dad wardrobe. So give him one that is fun AND meaningful. The guys over at Celebrate DNA have some great ideas. My personal Fave is the tote that claims “Everyday is Day of the Dead for a Genealogist” It comes in T shirt form too. But they aren’t limited to T shirts, there are coffee mugs and totes, hats, and more! Check them out… they take ‘Personalize’ to a whole new level!

OR

The guys over at 1776 United have some amazing T shirt choices, and coffee mugs, and bumperstickers all with a theme that will have dad beating his chest proudly!

  • American Patriotic Apparel
    Show your pride with American Patriotic Apparel

Celebrate DNA

For the Storyteller: Storyworth

This is one of the coolest things ever! We did it with my grandmother before she passed away and we are doing this with my father now. Here’s the rub. When people are older, they don’t want more ‘stuff’. They are trying to down size. And let’s face it, most dads are not role models for fantastic communication. I know that’s stereotypical but there is truth there. With Storyworth, Dad (or Grandpa) gets emailed a question a week. He answers it and sends it back. This continues each week for a year. The good folks at Storyworth compile all the answers and then at the end of the year, they notify you it’s complete. You choose the cover and they bind it up all nicely. VOILA! You have a personalized history and riveting book written by the man of the hour!

I tell you, I’ve learned a lot of things about my father, his growing up, and how he views the world that I never knew. It’s a great way to get to know someone. My grandmother wasn’t able to finish all 52 questions before she passed away but she did do a fair bit. It is a treasure. I read it when I want to feel closer to her. Her stories give a glimpse into a simpler life in a bygone time. You can’t buy that. Well, actually you can.. Here is how! AAANNDDD because I love you, you get $10 off your purchase! YES! Dad will be proud…you saved money.

Storyworth

For the hero: Framed History

Was your dad in the military? Is there a favorite multi generational photo? Print it and frame it in something decadent. It may seem trite at first but I think men like to know they are appreciated in different ways then women do. They don’t generally want flowers and sweaters. They want to know their lives meant something, that they taught a lesson, that their influence was appreciated. This Father’s Day take a photo that tells a story and frame it beautifully. Write why you chose this memory and include it in a card or on an index card on the back. 

Frame, Card

For Always: Book It

He used to read to you. This Father’s Day create a book together, the most unique book that only you can tell. The story of your family! This will provide hours of conversation and time together as you preserve family records and events.

Chartwell Books, UniKeep

This Father’s Day make History!!! Already have Father’s Day covered? Pin this for later… because Christmas is just six months away!!

A Dad and his girls…
Josh in a candid moment looking super save and debonair

Pin It to Plan It!

7 Unique and Meaningful Gifts to give this Father’s Day

meaningful gifts for fathers day

·

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. oh how fun! I like the storyworth idea… I may have to check that out, I’ve never heard about that one!

  6. I think that Storyworth sounds like such a great program! I can’t wait to try it.

  7. I absolutely love the Storyworth gift! What a beautiful and meaningful gift! Gonna check it out. ??

  9. These are great ideas for Father’s Day! It’s a really unique list!

  10. I gave a DNA test to my dad a few years back for Father’s Day! It’s such an awesome idea for a gift!!!

  13. These are all so fabulous. I like items that mean something, not just gadgets and gizmos.

    • Me too! I think sometimes it’s expected to get a gadget or a gizmo for a guy. Guys really do appreciate a thoughtful gift.

  14. This is a great list. I’m actually working on a Family Tree for my family as a Christmas present.

  15. Great post, great ideas and great photos! I wish I’d done Storyworth with my Nana before she passed away.

    • Awwww, you know, you could do Storyworth yourself and cater your memories to include her. I’ll bet your family would appreciate that. 🙂

  16. These are very thoughtful, considerate ideas for Father’s Day! My dad is no longer here, but if he were, I think he’d enjoy the DNA test.

    • DNA are one of those seemingly generic but ultra personal super fun gifts. I hope you are able to preserve his stories and memories as they are priceless.

  17. These ideas are very unusual and pretty cool! I love them. Especially the DHA test and Family tree! Thanks for sharing

  19. Beautiful family!! Love the gift ideas too, they would be great for any special day and I love maps too! lol Thanks for sharing 🙂

  20. You have a beautiful family! Looks like your hubby is the only thorn among the roses? I love the Storyworth ideas, first time I heard of it – so unique and meaningful.

    • hahaha he is the only guy… well, Baily is a guy sort of… LOL Storyworth is a brilliant company. I’m a big fan

  21. Great ideas and I love the candid pictures of Josh. He obviously has to have a sense of humor which I totally understand since I grew up as one of four girls in our household. My dad had to put up with a lot too!

  23. Thanks for the ideas, fathers usually like simple gifts but are hard to buy for, this helps.

  25. Love the DNA test for a fathers gift. It’s always so interesting to learn about oneself.

  29. Great list! I’ve heard about Storyworth before. I still need to try it! It’s wonderful to hear that your family is enjoying using the service. I would love to use it with both of my parents. Happy Father’s Day!

    • It’s a really cool service. One of the things I enjoy is if there is a question they have you don’t care for, you can skip it or you can come up with some of your own.

  31. Great ideas, I always talk about the DNA kit for me, but never thought of it for a father’s day gift!

  32. Storyworth sounds like such a creative and unique idea!! I will be looking into that for my father in law! Great ideas!

[instagram-feed num=7 cols=7 showheader=false showbutton=false showfollow=false]