5 Priceless Ways to Honor Dad without Spending Money

Every year we celebrate Father’s Day. It’s the one day set aside for us to honor and remember our Dads, as well as other men in our lives who have made a significant impact. For many the same question seems to arise year and after year: “What do I get for the man who seems to have everything?” If you are like many children and spouses, this is a real frustration when you want to surprise Dad with the perfect gift. My goal is to make this year different and better for you by sharing some secrets regarding men.

Each week for several years I have enjoyed the privilege of mentoring a couple of men’s groups. Through sharing life with these guys I have come to recognize similarities we men have in common. The drive that we have is motivated from the respect we desperately seek. Men will live out their motivation desperate to achieve success in areas such as sports, assets, job titles, and even through their children's lives.

A lot of men feel isolated, as they have come to believe that to be a "real man," you should not share emotions or feelings, and especially not with your family. As they continue to internalize their isolation, they often drift into a state of loneliness that often ends at a destination of not feeling worthy. This emotion is the reason some men easily say, "Don't do anything special for me on Father's Day." What they don’t realize in saying this, is that it undermines the excitement their loved ones feel as they strive to create a memorable day of celebrating and honoring Dad. 

It is possible to make this Father’s Day the best yet! Below are five priceless ways to honor Dad without spending money.

1. Honor your Dad’s Leadership

Let him know how proud you are to have him as your father. Write a hand-written letter sharing how much you respect the sacrifices he has made, or the importance of special moments the two of you have shared. This gift will definitely elevate the needle on his "respect meter."

2. Affirm your Dad

Affirmation can be verbal, written and exercised through touch. Ask him to share with you the three biggest days in his life. This will also encourage him to remember his important accomplishments. As you listen intently, you will see excitement surface as he shares special moments in his life of battles won or mountains climbed. Tell him how proud you are of him and what he means to you. Make sure you end with a hug, hand shake or kiss, which allows him to feel your love.

3. Encourage your Dad to Lead

Leadership is lonely when you cannot sense people truly value your leadership. Let Dad know how important he is in encouraging you to become the Best You. The job of a strong leader (Dad) is to empower and encourage his troops (family) through the example he lives and speaks out in front of them. Yet at the same time great leaders (Dads) need to see and hear from their troops (family) the actions and words that communicate, “we appreciate YOU!”

4. Experience Life with your Dad

Participate with him in his definition of fun which may include sitting in a tree stand, playing monopoly, a round of golf, working in the yard, or building something together with your hands in the garage. Remember, this day is about your Dad and making it a day of fun for him. The goal is to create special moments between you and Dad. 

5. Love your Dad deeply

My two daughters will tell me numerous times a day how much they love me. On my toughest days I remember their words and it allows me the fortitude to finish that day well. You say I love you to your Dad by sharing your love through words and actions and by cherishing the moments God has given you and your Dad. 

Our Dads are a direct gift from God. They are given to us for guidance, provision, and protection; to lead us from childhood into adulthood. In Proverbs, Solomon states the importance of a father by saying, 

"Listen my sons, to a fathers instruction; pay attention and gain understanding" (Proverbs 4:1). 

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" (Proverbs 4:13). 

As a Dad leads his children and instructs them in numerous areas of their lives, he is living out the plan God intends for us as children to receive. We are encouraged to guard the wisdom from them as it provides the foundation of our lives.

I am praying the coming Father’s Day will be special for you as you honor, affirm, encourage, experience life with, and love deeply the unique Dad God has placed in your life. You don’t have to spend one penny to provide the greatest gift to a man who may seem as though he has everything.

Guy Hatcher: The Legacy Guy® – is passionate about helping families plan their legacy. His book Your Future Reflection: How to Leave a Legacy Beyond Money, is available at amazon.com. Follow him on twitter @guyhatcher or contact him at www.guyhatcher.com.

Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Jupiterimages

Publication date: June 15, 2015