Before you buy Dad that tie (he hates ties), check out our Father’s Day Gift Guide for a better idea. Get creative with your gifting; you might even save a few bucks for the following suggestions — some of them are FREE!

OUTDOORSY DAD

The Llano River in Kingsland is the place for gold panning in the Highland Lakes. Photo by Ronnie Madrid

• Texas State Parks Pass
• Long-sleeved, lightweight shirt with UV protection
• Folding camp seat
• Clip-on headlamp
• All-purpose adhesive light strips with a green light to mark the way to his hunting stand
• Hammock in a bag
• Gift basket: Drawstring bag or dry bag with sunscreen, compass, bug spray, and baseball cap
• Activity: Pan for gold, geocache, hike, fish, rock hunting at Slab Road.

Check out the 101 Outdoors Guide for more ideas.

SPORTY DAD

There are several free disc golf courses in the Highland Lakes, including the one at Westside Park in Marble Falls. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

• Dart board
• Disc golf equipment
• Tickets to a sporting event
• DIY head coach T-shirt with photo of his “team”
• DIY home team frame with photo of the kids
• DIY “personalized” golf balls (decorated with Sharpies)
• DIY athlete “Bobblehead” with child’s photo for head
• Activity: Round of mini-golf (Black Rock Park, Putters ’N’ Gutters), disc golfing on free courses, game of family flag football,
  

  Amazing Grace Race

Check out the Where to Play Guide for more ideas.

GEARHEAD DAD

More than 100 motorcycles, many vintage, are on display at Hill Country Motorheads in Burnet. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

• Car wash gift card or DIY car wash
• DIY custom shirt with his name or initials: “David’s Garage” or “David’s Mustang Corral”
• DIY garage sign
• DIY framed photos or photo album of his car history — cars he has owned or restored
• Gift basket: Car-detailing supplies in a bucket (add a personalized gift certificate for one free car wash)
• Activity:Hill Country Motorheads motorcycle museum in Burnet

GRILL MASTER DAD

Make grilling on Father’s Day a family affair.

• Steaks, shrimp, etc. to grill
• A brand for his steaks (favorite team logo, initials)
• DIY rub for steaks with homemade label
• DIY apron with kids’ handprints
• DIY clean the grill for Dad
• Gift basket: Marinades, rubs, and grilling utensils
• Activity: Family grill-off

ANY DAD

Whittington’s Jerky in Johnson City is a must-buy for any dad. Staff photo

• DIY T-shirt/cap using iron-on transfer paper, inkjet printer
• DIY keychain made with Shrinky Dinks
• Coffee: Gift card to his favorite coffee shop, bag or pods of his favorite coffee, flavored coffee creamers
• Gift baskets: Beef jerky, nuts, sunflower seeds, etc.; movie basket with a DVD of his favorite movie, candy, microwave theater popcorn; hot stuff basket with a variety of hot sauces, spicy chips, spicy nuts
• Activity: Exotic Resort Zoo, Longhorn Cavern tour, picnic with his favorite food

Locally produced gifts:

• Iced sugar cookies from Sugar Mama Cookies in Marble Falls or Sarah’s Cookie Jar in Kingsland
• Jerky from Whittington’s Jerky in Johnson City
• Coffee from Numinous Coffee Roasters, Mojo Coffee in Marble Falls and Burnet, Unshakable Grounds in Burnet, Lazy Heron Coffee House in Kingsland
• Sweets from Choccolatte’s or It’s All Goode in Marble Falls
• The famous Texas Pecan Cake from Texas Pecan Cake Shop in Bertram

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