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How to make Father's Day

I just asked Google what to get my dad for Father's Day. It suggests diamond-effect cuff links, an ornate silver tankard or a miniature golf kit he can play on the loo. As my dad's neither Henry VIII nor Gordon Gecko I'm still at a loss.

If aliens coming to Earth had to assess dads by the gifts they're proffered on their special day they'd get a pretty funny image. A species that likes beer, golf balls and anything they can do in the bathroom. Perhaps this is a perceptive assessment of the patriarchs of our race. But not really one of my dad.

You could criticise me for having to ask Google what to buy the man who's lovingly raised me from birth rather than draw on the decades of experiences we've shared together. But my dad's not a big fan of gifts full stop. Spending money on the heating bill is frivolous to my father not to mention his reaction to the price I'll pay for a bag of flavoured salt.

Thankfully, however, my dad likes food. Foodie gifts have seen a huge surge in recent years and there's a host of websites where you can pick up bespoke hampers catering to any culinary need. There's a hamper for the 'healthy dad' packed with pineapples or a hamper for the 'laddish dad' stuffed with beers and crisps.

But if you're looking for a more personal approach there's nothing to stop you selecting your own bespoke collections. Creating handmade hoards can be heaps of fun and, most importantly for my dad, cheap.

If your dad is more of a savoury snacker, homemade condiments make a great culinary gift.

Toffee is a long standing favourite on Father's Day and tastes great baked in all manner of cakes. The same goes for shortbread, fudge and homemade truffles. But it's not all about the sweets. If your dad is more of a savoury snacker, homemade condiments make a great culinary gift. Spruce up his steak with some homemade ketchup, garlic mayo or barbecue sauce. The obvious choice is to cook him a roast though breakfast in bed prepared by little fingers would surely be a most welcome treat too.

As for me, I'm going down the meat route, cooking him a fillet of beef alongside some bottles of his favourite nut-brown ale. Wait a minute... perhaps my dad is Henry VIII after all.

What are you cooking yours?

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