A birthday card for Dad that isn't a golf cartoon

The 'dad' section of the card aisle is a narrow strip of golf, fishing and beer. If your dad's thing is restoring furniture, growing tomatoes, or yelling at the football, none of it fits. Make the card from him instead: describe his actual thing and the cover is painted from it.

Describe the real dad

• The shed, the workshop, the project that's been 'nearly finished' since 2019.
• The boat, the barbecue, the garden — wherever he's happiest.
• His sense of humour: dry, silly, pun-based. The artwork can match it.

What to write to your dad

Dads pretend they don't want words and keep them for years. One specific memory, one thing he taught you, one plan. "You taught me to check the oil and to tip properly. Both have saved me. Round at ours on Sunday — bring the recipe." Short is fine; specific is everything.

Remembered on the day? A digital card is $1.99 and lands in his inbox in seconds. Want it in the letterbox? Printed and posted for $9.99.

For the big ones

A 60th, 70th or 80th deserves the real card — printed on card stock, posted for you, with a painted cover of his life's great love. Schedule a reminder for next year while you're there and you'll never be the one who forgot.