Creative and Eco-Friendly Father’s Day Gifts to Make for Dad

Father’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for all the love and support that dads provide. This year, why not make the day even more special by creating a unique, handmade gift that’s also kind to the planet? Using recycled materials or environmentally conscious items, you can craft something thoughtful and meaningful that dad will treasure. Here are some creative ideas to get you started:

Recycled Bottle Bird Feeder

Give a new life to an old plastic bottle by turning it into a bird feeder that will bring wildlife right to dad’s backyard. Simply clean the bottle, cut a few holes around the base for the bird feed to come out, and attach a tray to catch any spills. Decorate it by wrapping in natural string or jute, and fill it with bird seed. This gift not only upcycles materials but also encourages local birdlife to flourish.

Jam Jar Herb Garden

Help dad bring a bit of greenery indoors with a jam jar herb garden. Reuse old jam jars or glass containers and plant them with a variety of herbs like basil, mint, or parsley. Decorate the jars with natural jute twine or non-toxic paint and add labels made from recycled cardboard or paper. This gift is perfect for dads who love cooking or gardening, and it encourages sustainable living by promoting homegrown produce.

Personalised Recycled Notebook

Create a personalised notebook using recycled paper and cardboard. Gather some old paper that’s blank on one side and cut it to a uniform size. Use a piece of cardboard from a cereal box or old packaging as the cover, and bind everything together with tacks or a few stitches. Decorate the cover with a unique design using recycled paper, fabric or found items such as leaves or feathers and add a special message for dad. This notebook is perfect for jotting down ideas, making lists, or even as a keepsake journal.

Customised Coffee Cup Sleeve

For the dad who loves his morning coffee, a customised coffee cup sleeve made from recycled fabric is a thoughtful gift. Use scraps of fabric from old clothes, blankets, or even denim to create a unique, reusable coffee sleeve. This simple project requires minimal sewing and is a great way to reduce waste while adding a personal touch to dad’s daily coffee ritual.

Recycled Wood Planter Box

If dad enjoys gardening or adding greenery to his space, and your DIY skills extend to using a saw, hammer and nails, a planter box made from reclaimed wood is a perfect gift. Find some old wooden pallets or leftover wood pieces, cut them to size, and assemble them into a sturdy planter. Sand down any rough edges and treat the wood with an eco-friendly finish to protect it from the elements. Plant some hardy herbs or flowers in the box for a ready-to-enjoy gift.

DIY Upcycled Picture Frame

Transform an old picture frame into a beautiful display for a cherished family photo. Decorate the frame with natural elements like seashells, stones, leaves, feathers or twigs. Add a favourite photo or a picture of a special memory to make this gift both sentimental and sustainable.

Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps

Grab some Hives of Valdora beeswax from Wildwood Organics and help dad reduce his plastic use by making him some handmade beeswax food wraps.

You will need:

  • Thin cotton cloth of various sizes
  • A hand grater
  • Beeswax
  • Metal baking trays
  • Jojoba oil
  • A wide paintbrush
  • Pegs and a drying line

1. Cut the cotton cloth into squares or rectangles of your preferred size – we make them from 15cm wide to about 40cm wide.

2. Preheat the oven to 100°C . While it’s warming up, grate the beeswax.

3. Place a cotton square on a baking tray and sprinkle it with some drops of jojoba oil, then sparsely sprinkle the grated beeswax over the top, all the way to the edges. Less is more – if the wax is too thick, the cloth won’t be able to absorb it all.

4. Place the tray in your warm oven and watch closely – remove it as soon as the grated wax has melted, about 5 minutes at most. Use the paintbrush to ensure the whole cloth is covered with the melted wax, all the way to the edges.

5. Pick up the wax-covered wrap and peg it on a line until cool and dry. Repeat, repeat and repeat until you’ve used all your wax. If there’s excess wax on the baking tray, just press the next cloth into it to absorb it, and reduce the amount of grated wax you add.

 

This Father’s Day, show your love for dad and the planet with a thoughtful, handmade gift using recycled or environmentally conscious materials. These creative ideas not only offer a personal touch but also promote sustainability, making them the perfect choice for an eco-friendly celebration. Happy crafting, and here’s to a memorable Father’s Day!

Sharon Fitness

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