Viva Press Release
Whether they’re ferrying us around in their very own taxi service or coming to our aid to assist with a broken washing machine, many of us see our father figures as a strong pillar of support. From dads and grandads to steps and in-laws, these main men are often our spider-catching, car-repairing, bad-joke-telling best mates.
While we’re grateful for our dads every day of the year, Father’s Day is an opportunity to show them just how much we care. However, 78.2% of people in the UK admit to finding it difficult to come up with present ideas for the father figure in their lives. Which might explain why 25% of UK shoppers opt for the classic dad gift: a pair of socks.
Ahead of Father’s Day – which falls on June 16 this year – we spoke to Dan Whittaker, a personal finance expert at Vivamoney.co.uk, who has shared 5 ways to treat Dad without breaking the bank.
1. Snacks & sport
‘Is Dad a football fanatic or a darts devotee? Why not spend some quality time together watching Dad’s favourite sport? Stock up on snacks, get the TV reserved, and make a weekend of it. In fact, the most typically chosen gift for Father’s Day is food and drink. If Dad’s more of a film fan than a sports supporter, create a bespoke cinema experience with a line-up of his most-loved movies and while the weekend away working your way through them together.
‘Looking for some top-tier snack inspiration? Nibbles such as crisps and dips, and crudites and hummus always go down well. Alternatively, you could play into the sport theme with stadium-worthy portions of chips – bonus points if they’re served in a traditional cone! Chip cones are easy to make – check out this simple tutorial. Finish off your design with a printout badge of Dad’s team and you’re game, set, and match!’
2. The gift of time
‘What does your dad enjoy doing in his spare time?
Is he an avid gardener, a hiking aficionado, or can he usually be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Whatever it is, set a couple of hours aside to learn about his passion. Dad will love sharing his hobbies with you. It doesn’t matter if you find that you’re not a dab hand at DIY or a pro pool player in the making – you’ll have a laugh creating new memories together along the way.’
3. Thrifty feasting
Don’t worry – you don’t need to fork out on a fancy meal this Father’s Day. Whether it’s a fry-up from the trusty café on the corner of your road, or a decent plate of pub grub from the local, treat your dad to a cheap and cheerful bite to eat at one of his favourite foodie spots. If you have siblings, you could all chip in to pay for Dad’s portion to share the cost.
‘There are ways to save money on dining out. You may wish to consider signing up for a restaurant card, such as Tastecard or the Gourmet Society, which offer various discounts and deals on food and drink at thousands of participating restaurants. If you’re signing up just to take advantage of the free trial, don’t forget to cancel your membership before the promotional period ends.
Remember to always read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign up for any product.
‘At the end of the day, your company is likely to matter more to your dad than the food; simply enjoying the opportunity to spend quality time together and be excused from cooking makes for a day well spent.’
4. Frugal 5 under a fiver
· ‘Has Dad got a sweet tooth? Why not buy him this personalised novelty chocolate board? Prices start from just £3.95 on Etsy.
· Many of us will be able to relate to this £4.98 quirky keyring, which states “If Dad can’t fix it, no-one can”! Complete with an assortment of tool-shaped charms, you can grab yourself one from Amazon.
· Who doesn’t love a good pair of socks?! Look no further than this personalised pair, available from Etsy for £4.50.
· How cute is this fingerprint frog Father’s Day card making kit? Priced at £5 on Not on The High Street, this is a card with a difference that will hold sentimental value for years to come as those tiny hands grow.
· Use the FreePrints photo app to order up to 45 snaps of you and your dad, totally free of charge. All you need to do is pay for delivery, which starts at £1.49 and is never more than £3.99. Stick your prints in a scrapbook and write a funny quote or memory next to each. Scrapbooks can be purchased from Hobbycraft for as little as £2.’
5. Music & memories
‘If you’re looking for a costless, heartfelt gift that’s worth its weight in gold, look no further than a personalised playlist. Many of us have wonderful memories of the music our parents filled the house with while we were growing up. From Brit-pop vibes to good old fashioned Motown classics, simply add all the tunes that remind you of Dad to a designated playlist on Spotify. You can send your musical masterpiece to Dad by clicking on the three dots at the top of the playlist and selecting the “share” button.
‘To make this priceless gesture stretch even further, type or write out the memory that each song on the playlist reminds you of. For example, “You did some wicked Dad dancing to Song 2 by Blur on our family holiday to Lanzarote in 2014.”
Dad will adore this thoughtful trip down memory lane.’
Viva Money has shared ways to celebrate Father's Day on a budget.
-ENDS-
About Viva Money
Viva Money is not a lender but is a fully regulated and authorised credit broker. Viva Money is a registered Trading Name of Digitonomy Limited, Registered in England and Wales (Company number 08385135), Registered Office; Steam Mill Business Centre, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN. Digitonomy Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number: 690249. Licenced by the Information Commissioners Office, (registration number ZA007309)
Website: https://vivamoney.co.uk/
Dan Whittaker - Personal Finance Expert at Viva Money
Dan has strong market and product knowledge across a range of consumer finance products including, but not limited to, credit cards, savings, loans, and mortgages.