DIY Life

Sunday is Father's Day and, yes, despite what your dad (or spouse) says, he probably does want a gift. Time to shop!

First piece of advice: skip the big box stores unless you're utterly desperate. Check out their websites and you'll see what I mean. Lowes has a pretty good Father's Day gift-finder page. You can search products based on the type of dad you have. (Lawn dads, wood-working dads, etc.) However, it's hardly inspiring stuff. Example: their suggestion for the dad who has everything? A gift card.

The Home Depot does a little better with its online gift center, but the suggestions are uniformly dull... or just plain stupid. I mean, do you know anyone who would buy dad a $699 pressure washer for Father's Day? Oh, but it's not just Home Depot and Lowes pitching dumb Father's Day gift ideas. Amazon: come on!

-- Diane Rixon

By Francesca Clarke

If you have a family, you're probably in a state of constant chaos, and romancing your man might not rank high on your list of things to do. You've spent hours coordinating your children, and helping them make monogrammed cuff links and hand print crafts. They'll present these to Daddy first thing Sunday morning, and you'll all enjoy a family day, celebrating Dad.

When the day comes to a close, and the kids are tucked in, don't retire to your separate laptops... instead, turn up the heat, and spend a little time letting him know how appreciated he is. This isn't about modeling sexy lingerie (though I'm sure that would be a welcomed surprise!) or buying him expensive concert tickets. It's Father's Day, so spend some time reflecting on the wonderful ways that he contributes to the family, and thanking him for being such a great parenting partner.

So, what does a dad find romantic? I surveyed some of the men in my life, and it turns out they are pretty easy to please. So many dads are busy balancing work and family that all they really want is a little break.

After the jump, I'll share some husband-certified ways to spoil him this Father's Day.

By Shelly Leer

Nothing says Happy Father's Day like a new tie, right? You can surprise the special dad in your life by presenting him with an artistically created necktie cake. A skinny necktie cake is a lot more fun to bake, frost, and embellish than shopping for the perfect tie. Everyone will enjoy this necktie -- with a little dip of ice cream -- and there will be no sense of disappointment from Dad.

MailJust4me provides simple Father's Day projects, including directions for making a necktie cake. I took liberties with their pan recommendations and used two 9 x4 bread pans. When thinking of a design, I checked out some Armani ties to see what's new.

What you need:

• 2 9x4 baked cakes or 1 large rectangular cake cut lengthwise in half
• white frosting
• food coloring
• ziplock bag
• scissors
• M & M's or other candy
• Large tray or platter to hold finished cake

Check out the gallery to see how my cake turned out, then follow me through the break for the decorating instructions.

By Lisa Hoover

The ties that bind - Dad's probably got enough neckties hanging in his closet and doesn't need another one. If you can get your hands on an old one he doesn't wear anymore -- or one you wish he didn't -- then make him a protective sleeve to fit around his hot coffee cup. As an alternative, you can always involve the kids in a making a skinny tie cake, or just send him a virtual tie to wear while he plays virtual video games.

Picture this - Even thought they might not come right out and say so, dads love to show off pictures of their family just as much as mom and grandma. We've got loads of ideas on how to package your favorite photos besides the standard wood frame from the local department store. How about a frame made from Legos, puzzle pieces, or nuts and washers?

Stylish! - If you're handy with a needle and thread or paintbrush, why not make Pop some monogrammed cufflinks or custom-painted BBQ accessories?

- Dad's probably got enough neckties hanging in his closet and doesn't need another one. If you can get your hands on an old one he doesn't wear anymore -- or one you wish he didn't -- then make him a to fit around his hot coffee cup. As an alternative, you can always involve the kids in a making a , or just send him a to wear while he plays . - Even thought they might not come right out and say so, dads love to show off pictures of their family just as much as mom and grandma. We've got loads of ideas on how to package your favorite photos besides the standard wood frame from the local department store. How about a frame made from ? - If you're handy with a needle and thread or paintbrush, why not make Pop some or ?

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Don't forget the romance - Fathers deserve to be spoiled on their special day, and we've got seven ways to romance your man and let him know that you think dads are sexy.

Offbeat ideas - This year Dad might be expecting typical gifts like golf balls and car accessories. Why not surprise him this year with an unexpected present, like a family key keeper or his very own nightlight?

New traditions - Maybe Pop is feeling like handymen are a dying breed, but you can let him know that's not the case. This year, start a new tradition based on our DIY: With Dad series. No other gift in the world will make Dad happier than spending time with his kids, even if it's just pushing a rock across the backyard.

For as long as I can remember, my grandpa collected dimes. Dimes, he said, because nickels were too big and he needed his quarters for spending. Father's Day is just around the corner, and that's just enough time to make Dad or Grandpa this homemade catch-all from Disney's Family Fun for all of his pocket change. It seems like dads always have stuff in their pockets, which makes this the perfect useful, yet sentimental gift from his favorite kids.

Family Fun recommends using an apple, acorn squash, or baseball for casting, because these are both the right size for this project and have a surface that's easy to cast. You can get creative with your catch-all, however, especially if the person you're giving it to has a special interest.

Once you've casted your object, it will need at least 24 hours to dry, so don't save this project for the last minute! When it's complete, you can decorate it with acrylic paints to make it a one-of-a-kind gift for that special guy.

-- Bethany Sanders

By Anna Sattler

Little ones like to get in on the action when it comes to giving gifts. As much as they like to open a present, I always watch in delight when I see how happy a child is to give a grown-up a present, especially if they made the gift.

You can watch in delight too when your child makes the perfect Father's Day desk accessory for the special dad in their life. All you need is cardboard, craft sticks, acrylic paint, glue, and alphabet foam stamps, and of course, a willing child or two. This project is geared towards younger children, so you will have to help them cut out the cardboard that is used in making the letters, and also help them with the gluing of the letters.

Dad will love his new desk accessory, but if he doesn't have a desk, the cardboard decoration will sit perfectly among pictures of his loving family at home. Best of all, he'll get a charge out of knowing that his little DIYers made the Father's Day accessory themselves, just for him.

OK, I usually don't go for the "household item" craft projects... oftentimes, they look just like what they are. The pasta necklaces? They're nothing but macaroni on a string.

Better Homes and Gardens has changed my mind, though, with their pasta tree centerpiece project. This fancy little number is hip and funky, and doesn't look like old pasta at all.

All you need are a few simple materials; BHG promises that the project will cost less than ten dollars.