Here's What Dads Want the Most for Father's Day. It May Surprise You

Father's Day will be here before you know it. And that may be stressing you out -- not only because you're trying to find the perfect gift, but also, one you can afford.

These days, many people are strapped for cash due to inflation. If your credit card bills are already sky-high, then you may be hesitant to add an expensive Father's Day gift to that pile of debt.

The good news, though, is that you may not have to. In fact, if you sit down and talk to your dad, you may find that his most preferred gift is something that won't necessarily cost you a dime.

Give the gift of time

It's nice to want to buy your dad something special for Father's Day. But in a recent Empower survey, the most desired gift among dads this Father's Day is none other than quality time. So before you raid your savings account to buy your dad a nice watch or a fancy gadget, think about the different ways you can make the day special without spending a fortune.

One option you may want to consider is inviting your dad over for a home-cooked meal. Whip up his favorite dish and dessert to make it special. Or, take advantage of the warmer weather and invite your father over for a barbecue.

Another route to consider is spending the day outdoors with your dad if he's the type to enjoy that sort of thing. Find a new hiking trail to explore together, or bust out the kayaks that have been taking up space in your garage and spend a few hours paddling. You can even find a nice neighborhood park to visit and walk through if you'd rather do something a little less rugged.

Of course, there's no guarantee the weather will cooperate on Father's Day. So a backup plan (or a primary one, if neither of you is particularly outdoorsy) could be to have a board game or movie marathon where you play or watch your favorites.

Think beyond Father's Day

This Father's Day, your dad might much prefer a day of bonding and hanging out than an expensive gift -- or even an inexpensive one. But remember, Father's Day happens just once a year, and what your dad may really want the most is to see you and spend time with you consistently. So think about ways to make that happen.

It may not be easy if you live in a different city or state and have to travel for hours to see your dad. But in that case, consider setting up a weekly Zoom chat or even a phone call so you both have that time to look forward to.

There's a lot of pressure to spend money on Father's Day and come up with the perfect gift. But if money is tight, your dad most likely doesn't want to add to your financial stress. So before you rush to buy your dad a physical gift, consider giving him something worlds better that won't put a strain on your limited financial resources.