Personalised gifts are popular for dads for occasions like Christmas, his birthday and Father’s Day. In fact, our survey of 1,000 UK dads found that over 73% would prefer a personalised gift to a generic one. When it comes to customising a gift for dad, finding the right words can make all the difference, but what do you say to a man who means so much? How do you sum up your relationship in just a line or two? We’ve been designing and making personalised gifts for dads since 2012, and one of our favourite things about crafting our gifts is seeing all the thoughtful, creative ways our customers make them their own. So, if you’re struggling with personalisation ideas, look no further.
Whether you’re looking for a way to bring back happy memories, say a big thank you or show Dad how much he means to you, in this article you’ll find personalisation ideas from real Create Gift Love customers, plus some extra inspiration from our team, too. From popular engraving ideas and messages about hobbies and interests, to sweet sentiments that pull on the heartstrings and strengthen your emotional connection, let’s explore all the ways to make Dad’s gift personal, and show him you know him.
10 Personalised Message Ideas for Dads from Real Create Gift Love Customers
Let’s get started with some popular text ideas for dads from genuine Create Gift Love orders. Here are 10 of our favourite ideas for dads, covering occasions including Father’s Day, new parenthood and family milestones.
1. “Daddy’s girl since [date]”
This makes a lovely personalised message from a daughter, especially paired with a photograph of father and daughter together. Including a date of birth makes the gift extra personal, and it could come from a new baby with a very recent birthday or one from many years ago. After all, there’s no age limit on being a daddy’s girl!
2. “The best baba since 1997. We are what we are because of you and Mum.”
Another take on the “...since [year]” style message. We love how this customer paid tribute to both their parents in this gift for Father’s Day.
3. “If found, please call my Daddy on [phone number]”
This sweet message is both personal and practical, combining a cute message from a little one with useful contact information. This message is a great way to personalise a keyring, luggage tag or wallet.
4. “Love from your favourite daughter xxx”
Do we sense some sibling rivalry? Or is dad’s favourite daughter also his only daughter? Either way, this light-hearted message is a fun way to personalise a gift for dad that will remind him of his loving children whenever he sees it.
5. “First Christmas as my Daddy, love from [name].”
This message is a great way to celebrate important milestones, especially in the first year of becoming a dad. This customer has chosen to mark the first Christmas together, but it’s also a lovely idea for a new daddy’s birthday or first Father’s Day, too – a reminder of those precious early days as a family.
6. “Now you can always carry me with you.”
“Now you can always carry me with you” is a popular message used on our photo keyrings, usually from young babies to their daddies (or even to expectant dads). Having a photo of his favourite small person on his keys means that Dad can take them with him wherever he goes, and this sweet message is a reminder of that.
7. “I love you Dad, you’re my best mate.”
Short and simple, this message from a little boy to his daddy really made us smile because it captures how exactly how much he appreciates his dad in just a few words. The message was supplie in quote marks, which makes us think it was a direct quote from a young child. Quotes are another great way to bring personalised gifts to life.
8. “The love between a father and a daughter knows no distance.”
If you’ve moved far away from your family or are away travelling on a special occasion like Father’s Day or Dad’s birthday, this message sums things up perfectly. It will remind your dad how much you’re thinking of him, even when you’re apart.
9. “The best part of our day is when you unlock the front door. Love from…”
Another lovely way to personalise a keyring, this message reminds Dad what’s waiting for him when he gets home, and how much he means to those people.
10. “Home is where our Daddy is”
A sweet take on the phrase “home is where the heart is”, from two children to their Dad. This message works well as a caption to a family photo, showing Dad how much he is loved by the people around him.
Need some more ideas? Here are some more ways you can personalise a gift for your dad. Remember, there may be character limits or recommendations depending on the type of personalised gift you’ve chosen. Some ideas will work better than others, so be sure to check the product information available when ordering.
How Does Engraving or Printing “Best Dad Ever” or “World’s Greatest Dad” Show Appreciation and Love?
Three words we see most often on personalised gifts for dad? “Best Dad Ever”. Three more? “World’s Greatest Dad”. These are some of the most popular phrases used on personalised dad gifts, and they might be cliché, but they’re timeless for a reason. Short yet impactful, these messages show Dad just how brilliant you think he is. If there was an award, he’d win it. If there was a crown, he’d wear it.
You can include phrases like “best dad ever” or “world’s greatest dad” on personalised gifts including keyrings, photo frames, wallets and more. A classic title for a classic dad.
Why Are Heartfelt Messages Like “Thank You for Always Being There” or “You’re My Hero” Popular Choices for Personalising Gifts?
Heartfelt, sentimental messages like “thanks for always being there” or “you’re my hero” are another popular angle for personalising gifts for dads, striking an emotional chord. We often find it hard to speak our deepest feelings out loud or reserve these precious words for special occasions. By engraving or printing a meaningful message on a frequently used item, like a keyring for his car or a coaster for his desk, Dad will be reminded of your thoughtful words every day. Heartfelt messages for Dad turn his gift from something simple to something he’ll cherish forever.
How Does Including an Important Date Add Sentimental Value to a Gift?
Dates often feature in the personalisation requests on our gifts for all kinds of occasions and recipients, including gifts for dads. Adding a significant date, like the day a child was born or a special family milestone, instantly enhances a personalised gift’s sentimental value. These dates mark important moments in a dad’s life and can bring back unforgettable memories, or keep them front of mind. By including a special date in a gift, you show Dad that you value and cherish those moments as much as he does.
You can include a date in your personalised gift in many ways. Our engraved calendar keepsakes gifts are popular, marked on the calendar grid with your chosen date, or you could print it as part of a caption to a photo gift, or in an engraved message like the examples above.
How Does Incorporating a Special Nickname or Term of Endearment Add a Personal Touch?
Do you actually call him “Dad”? Not all of us do. Personalising your gift with a nickname or term of endearment your family use, like “Pops”, “Old Man” or “Superdad”, customises the gift in a unique and playful way, and makes it stand out from more generic options.
Nicknames often carry inside meanings known only to family members, making them a thoughtful, personal gesture. They reflect the closeness of your relationship and add a lighthearted, affectionate touch.
Why Does Including a Shared Hobby or Interest Make the Gift More Personal?
Tailoring a gift to the recipient’s hobbies and interests is a great way to make your gift relevant and thoughtful, especially if it’s a favourite activity you both share. You could do this by choosing a hobby-specific product, or it could be tailored through the personalisation. For example, you could engrave a keyring with your name and a message like “fishing buddies for life”, or add a caption to a photo gift like “I can’t wait to go camping with you, Daddy”.
This type of personalisation also brings an element of joy and shared experience to the gift, reminding your dad of the times you’ve spent together doing something you both love.