Eleven Awesome DIY Gift Ideas for Dad

I was chatting with my friends at the playground about Father's Day and was very relieved to discover just about everybody finds dads practically impossible to buy/make gifts for. (I feel like you can only go to the "handprint in clay" well so many times…) Throw in having it actually come from the kids AND wanting it to be thoughtful AND actually useful so it doesn't end up under the bed later this week, and, ladies, we've gotten ourselves in a real pickle.

Fortunately, we still have a little time to get crafty before the big day and, thankfully, there are some pretty creative people out there who have cracked the code on handmade gifts for dads that are actually cool. Here are eleven of our favorites.

Check out the slideshow for majorly awesome DIY gift Ideas for dad.

More DIY Father's Day Gifts:

Eleven Awesome DIY Gift Ideas for the Dads in Your Life

Manly Man Apron

I'm not naming names, but I may know a dad in my life who occasionally grills in a ruffled apron because it's all we've got in the house. (Hey, at least it's not one of those pretend muscle shirt aprons.) Thinking this understated flour-sack apron might be a good use of two hours of my time...

Get the instructions: Grilling Apron by Lovely Indeed
Guiness Stout Pretzel Brownies

You know how sometimes he likes to go to the bar to have a Guiness with his friends and then they snack on the pretzels that have been sitting there all week and think it's the best thing ever? You just took that experience and turned it into a brownie.

Get the instructions: G uiness Brownies by Hostess with the Mostess
DIY Bar Cart

Okay, so this one will take a bit more work in that you're going to have to hunt down a cart that you can restyle. But, once you have the cart all you need is some spray paint and a whole lotta fun at the liquor store, and you've got yourself a serious showstopper of a present.

Get the instructions: Cocktail Cart by A Beautiful Mess
Whiskey Flavored Toothpicks

This is one of those little gifts where you get a lot of bang for your buck. It basically takes no time to make. Well, it actually takes a couple of days, but the actual "doing" time is practically nill. And you get to say the whole process took over 48 hours, which makes it sound like you worked realllly hard, even though you pretty much soaked toothpicks in whiskey. Plus, they're toothpicks that taste like whiskey. I believe that's called a "slam dunk."

Get the instructions: W hiskey Toothpicks by Man Made DIY
Father's Day Photo

This, to me, is the perfect gift. It's thoughtful, the kids can help out (and have fun) and are a huge part of it, it captures a moment in time, and everyone will think you are the most creative mom on the block.

Get the instructions: C halk Photo by Crafty Texas Girls
Leather Journal

How gorgeous is this journal? It has the feel of grand adventures, big stories, and a life well lived, which, come to think of it, is a pretty good gift.

Get the instructions: Recovered Leather Book by Mufn Inc
Homemade Bacon Gifts

BACON! You can't really go wrong with anything that has bacon in it, right? This trifecta of bacon jam, bacon salt, and plain ole candied bacon pretty much covers any meal anyone can come up with. Bonus: It's easy to make and Pretty Organized has even provided the gift labels as downloadables. BACON!

Get the instructions: B acon Gifts by Pretty Organized
Love You Card

I know, I know. Not another handprint gift, Kara! But, their little hands are so cute! And, how much will you love seeing how small their hands were a couple of years from now? Plus, this card is ridiculously adorable. And you get to see how cute their little hands are! (I'll stop now.)

Get the instructions: Love You This Much Card by Day in My Life
Photo Playing Cards

What do you mean he doesn't want to play poker with cards sporting his kids' faces? OF COURSE HE DOES.

Get the instructions: Playing Cards with Kids' Pictures by A Beautiful Mess
Handmade Cutting Boards

I was noticing tonight as I was sawing away at the kids' chicken sausage that putting it on a wooden cutting board made it look frankly delectable rather than something I pulled together three minutes after I realized it was dinnertime (again). Give the dad in your life the gift of food that actually looks good enough to eat (and you can quote me on that one).

Get the instructions: Wooden Cutting Boards via Design Sponge
Rosemary Mint Shaving Cream

My husband most often shaves with a very inexpensive brand of shaving cream that I also sometimes use to get stains out of the carpets. (It works really well and leaves your living room smelling very manly.) I feel like this buttery looking and delicious smelling shaving cream might be much appreciated...

Get the instructions: Homemade Shaving Cream by Food for My Family